Banner of the Hampstead Church League for Women's Suffrage

Suffrage banner, carried by the Hampstead Church League for Women's Suffrage. It was designed by Laurence Housman and possibly made by his sister Clemence Housman, whom he described as 'chief banner-maker' for the Suffrage Atelier. The CLWS was founded in 1909. Its aim was to secure for women the vote in 'Church and State' on the same basis as it was awarded to men. The league also campaigned for the revision of the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer and, after World War I, led a drive for the ordination of women. By the end of 1913 the CLWS had 103 branches and 5,080 members.

The banner is of yellow cotton sateen with beige silks and cotton, green, purple & yellow embroidery silk. The central design incorporates a cross entwined with interlacing grape vines. A foliate capital in metal thread in each corner reads 'CLWS The Glorious Liberty' (above), 'Of the Children of God' (below). On the reverse is painted 'Hampstead Church league for Womens Suffrage'.