ABSTRACT
The march to Parliament on 29 June 1909 was to be larger than any of its twelve forebears. In publicizing the march, the WSPU stressed that the right to petition had been guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of 1689. Leaflets were issued that quoted the Bill: *
‘It is the right of the subjects to petition the King, and all committments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal.’ Mr. Asquith, as the King’s representative, is bound, therefore, to receive the deputation and hear their petition. If he refuses to do so, and calls out the police to prevent women from using their right to present a petition, he will be guilty of illegal and unconstitutional action.
