Emmeline Pankhurst Leaving Bow Street Magistrates Court during her Trial in October 1908

Emmeline Pankhurst leaving Bow Street Magistrates Court during her trial in October 1908. Here she can be seen getting into a hansom cab. The photo refers to the trial of the Suffragette leaders, Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst and Floral Drummond on the charge of inciting a riot and urging supporters to 'rush' the House of Commons. Found guilty of the charge the Suffragette leaders were sentenced to 3 months in Holloway Prison, although Flora Drummond was released after 9 days when it was revealed she was pregnant. On hearing her sentence Emmeline Pankhurst declared from the dock her intention to take full responsibilty for the actions of militant suffragettes 'I am here to take upon myself now, Sir, as I wish the Prosecution had put upon me, the full responsibility for this agitation'. Emmeline and Christabel used this spell in jail to demand the status of political prisoners for all imprisoned suffragettes. As punishment for disobeying prison rules, Emmeline served her sentence in solitary confinement.