Constance Lytton

Lady Constance Lytton disguised as 'Jane Warton'. Born into an aristocractic family Constance joined the militant suffragette movement in 1908. Her experience of imprisonment clearly exposed the authorities' class-based treatment of the suffragettes. Twice she was released early from prison allegedly for her heart condition, but in fact because of her family connections. Determined to expose this double standard, Constance went to Liverpool in January 1911 disguised as a working-class woman, Jane Warton. Imprisoned for 14 days hard labour for demonstrating outside Walton Gaol, 'Jane Warton' was force fed without having a medical examination. Her treatment confirmed the suspicion that working-class suffragettes were dealt with more severely than those with wealthy and influential connections.