In 1913, a version of jiu-jitsu became popular in Britain just as the suffragist movement became more militant.  Women trained in the martial arts by a husband-and-wife team protected suffragists.  The public named them “Mrs Pankhurst’s Amazons.”

Outside Buckingham Palace, English suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 - 1928), is arrested and carried away by Superintendent Rolfe at a march, organised by Pankhurst, to petition King George V, London, 21st May 1914. On arrival at the palace, the marchers were met with force by the police and violence from the crowd of onlookers.  (Photo by Jimmy Sime/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

An infamous example of the confrontations with police is the 1914 Battle of Glascow.  A crowd of 4500 watched in as 30 trained suffragettes fought 50 policemen.

These and other suffragette “obscurity” attracted the historian Tony Wolf who wrote articles, books, and graphic novels.  He also made documentaries about the suffragettes. At least one is available for viewing on IMBDpro.      Read more>>>   

Suffragette Bodyguards who know jiu-jitsu

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