Historical Pageant of the Women's Coronation Procession

The Historical Pageant of the Women's Coronation Procession, 17 June 1911. The Women's Coronation procession was organised by the militant Women's Social and Political Union. Held a week before the coronation of George V, it was intended to enlist the support of the new King in getting the Conciliation Bill of 1911 through Parliament.

The Historical Pageant 'formed up' behind the Prisoner's Pageant, and comprised Suffragettes in costume representing notable and respected heroines from history. The pageant was organised by Miss Downing and Marion Wallace Dunlop who ensured 'accuracy' as well as beauty, characterised every costume, each one being strictly that of the period which is represented. This image depicts a section of the pageant representing 'Voteless Women after the Reform Bill' including, the nurse Florence Nightingale, the writer Charlotte Bronte, the social theorist Harriet Martineau and the actress Mrs Charles Kean (born Ellen Tree). This section marched behind Suffragettes representing historical women who had previously been summoned to Parliament such as the Peeress summoned in the reign of Edward III, women governors and custodians of castles, women high sheriffs and female Justices of the Peace.