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The bloodstained scarf
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Suffragette’s bloody scarf to go on show
A Blood-stained silk scarf worn by a Suffragette when she was trampled to death by a horse at the Derby in 1913 is to go on show at the House of Commons.
The scarf, printed with the “Votes for Women” slogan, was carried by Emily Wilding, who has since been celebrated as a hero of the movement.
The scarf is being loaned to the House of Commons by Barbara Gorna, who is making a film about Wilding’s life. She is convinced her death was not suicide, but a tragic miscalculation.
Mrs Gorna said: “I’m sure Emily was simply trying to throw the sash to the King’s horse, Anmer.
“Early film footage shows the leading horses passing by and Emily dashing under the rail to head for Anmer.
“I bought the sash 10 years ago at auction. I became fascinated by her, and I couldn’t resist bidding.
“It seems very appropriate that Emily should finally be remembered in a place she struggled so hard to get into when she was alive – a place that was closed to women until five years after her death.”
Mrs Gorna is also lending a telegram sent by Queen Alexandra to the jockey of the horse, who was bruised but not hurt, scolding Emily as a “brutal lunatic woman”. |
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