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Ladies Gallery
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Ladies Gallery
The Ladies Gallery of the House of Commons, behind a metal grille. The grilles were added in the reconstruction of the Commons following the 1834 fire, apparently to ensure that the Members of Parliament in the chamber were not distracted by the sight of women in the gallery. They became a symbol of womens exclusion not just from the Commons, but also the democratic process, and were the scene of a Suffragette protest in October 1908 when two protesters chained themselves to the grille. The grilles were removed following a vote in the House in August 1917 and are now to be found in the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster. Date: 1906
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Media ID 14122086
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Commons Gallery Grille Parliament Suffrage Grilles
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Ladies Gallery of the House of Commons, a symbol of women's exclusion from the democratic process during a pivotal moment in British history. The Ladies Gallery, located behind the metal grille, was added to the chamber following the 1834 fire as a means to prevent Members of Parliament from being distracted by the sight of women in the gallery. The grilles became a powerful symbol of women's exclusion not just from the Commons, but also from the political sphere. The image, taken in 1906, predates the Suffragette movement's famous protest at the Ladies Gallery in October 1908. During this historic event, two suffragettes, Emily Davison and Marion Wallace Dunlop, chained themselves to the grille in a bold demonstration of their determination to gain the right to vote. Their actions drew international attention to the cause and marked a turning point in the suffrage movement. The grilles were eventually removed following a vote in the House in August 1917, and are now housed in the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the suffrage movement. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when women's voices were silenced behind metal bars, and serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who fought for the right to be heard in the democratic process.
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