Margaret Thatcher never did wallop anyone with her handbag, but that did not stop the image appearing in hundreds of political cartoons during her reign as Prime Minister.
New research from a Warwick University historian has revealed female political leaders of days gone by had their own symbol of dominance - the petticoat.
The image appeared in poems, cartoons and speeches in the 18th and 19th century, and outraged mobs even went as far as hanging petticoats up and setting them alight when they felt slighted by women in positions of power.
The story appears in a book called Women in British Politics 1760 - 1860: the Power of the Petticoat, edited by Dr Sarah Richardson, of the University of Warwick, and Ms Kathryn Gleadale, of London Guildhall.
Brass CufflinksIt explores the role played by women in public life in the 100 years before the suffragette movement began. In its introduction, the book deals specifically with the use of the petticoat as a symbol of female power.
Chanel EarringsOne of the most bizarre events described was reaction to rumours the Princess Dowager, alleged companion of the Earl of Bute, was exercising too much influence over him. In 1762 and 1763, outraged mobs hung burning petticoats from scaffolds to show their hate for her.
Political pamphlets of the period used the petticoat image to attack women, such as The Petticoat Plotters in 1712 and A Secret History of the Petticoat Plot against the Liberties of the People, in 1832.
One writer attempted to remind the world who really wore the trousers with The Prerogative of Breeches: an answer to Petticoat-Government, Written by a true-born English Man.
In 1849 Blackwood's Magazine even invented the collective noun of a 'Petticoatery' to describe groups of women in politics.
Concern over women in politics came to a head, however, with the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne.
A comic ballad was composed early in her reign in 1837, entitled Petticoats is Master, which warned British men of the threat posed by a female monarch to their liberties and suggested that women might even get together to pass laws restricting access to alcohol.
embroidered patches
The first verse ran: 'Now all married men, I'd have you look out, Or the Petticoats surely will bang you about, For the women have got the right side of the Queen, So success to the Petticoats wherever they're seen.'
Other articles:
http://www.sosuzhou.com/Blog/View/?1282
http://www.hpsunet.com/Billy-the-Pigeon-finally-gets-his-wings-.html
