A hundred years ago today, on 21 May 1914, having failed to influence the government, Mrs Pankhurst’s Women’s Social and Political Union, decided to appeal directly to the King. Kate Frye, although not a militant suffragette, was there – outside Buckingham Palace – to witness the scene. This is the copy of the Daily Sketch that she bought that day and kept all her life.
The following is Kate’s diary entry:
‘Thursday May 21st 1914
To Office.Then in the afternoon I went to Buckingham Palace to see the Women’s deputation – led by Mrs Pankhurst which went to try and see the King. It was simply awful – oh! those poor pathetic women – dresses half torn off – hair down, hats off, covered with mud and paint and some dragged along looking in the greatest agony. But the wonderful courage of it all. One man led along – collar torn off – face streaming with blood – he had gone to protect them. Fancy not arresting them until they got into that state. It is the most wicked and futile persecution because they know we have got to have ‘Votes’ – and to think they have got us to this state – some women thinking it necessary and right to do the most awful burnings etc in order to bring the question forward. Oh what a pass to come to in a so-called civilised country. I shall never forget those poor dear women.
The attitude of the crowd was detestable – cheering the police and only out to see the sport. Just groups of women here and there sympathising, as I was. I saw Mrs Merivale Mayer, Miss Bessie Hatton and a good many women I knew by sight. I stayed until there was nothing more to be seen. The crowds were kept moving principally by the aid of a homely water cart. It was very awful. Mrs Pankhurst herself was arrested at the gates of the Palace. I did not see her but she must have passed quite close to me.
At the Buckingham Palace railings, 21 May 1914
I went to Victoria and had some tea and tried to get cool, but I felt very sick. The King could have done something to prevent it all being so horrible – he isn’t much of a man. Back by bus [to the office of the New Constitutional Society where she was working]. They [Alexandra and Gladys Wright, friends and colleagues ] wanted to hear about it, but they don’t take quite the same view of it that I do. They seem so ‘material’ in all their deductions – it’s all so tremendously more than that.’
For much more about Kate Frye and her diary – published as Campaigning for the Vote: Kate Parry Frye’s suffrage diary – click here
Woman and her Sphere 
#1 by Chloe Mason on May 21, 2014 - 9:22 am
Perhaps tune into the work of Catherine Marshall, a democrat and humanitarian. ..worthy of modern-day feminists knowing about her and the NUWSS…. That’d be my wish.
Chloe Mason
Suffragist
#2 by womanandhersphere on May 22, 2014 - 8:24 am
As you’ll see from my Home page, this website is a place to which I post items that result from my own primary research – or about events with which I am associated. I’m not researching Catherine Marshall – Jo Vellacott has already produced the definitive biography – which I imagine you have read. However, if you do particularly want to read something I’ve written about her, you can consult my entry on her in my The Women’s Suffrage Movement: a reference guide (available through bookshops and, of course, Amazon). As someone who is clearly interested in Catherine Marshall perhaps you would be interested in buying from me a leaflet that Marshall prepared for distribution in Cumberland during the Jan 1910 election? If so, I can send you further details. I will, anyway, include it in my next catalogue.
Elizabeth