Women in History

Women in History

From great medieval queens to nurses in the First World War, the role of women throughout English history has often been overlooked.

Here we highlight some of their stories – not only the women who achieved high status and success, but also those who remain largely unnamed in history, and who have quietly shaped our way of life today.

 

 

 

Give to gain

The theme for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026 is ‘Give to Gain’, which highlights how providing resources and opportunities to women and girls benefits everyone – ‘When women thrive, we all rise.’

Here we highlight some of the achievements of London blue plaque recipients who have worked to accelerate opportunites for women. Follow the links to discover their stories.

  • Ellen and William Craft

    Ellen Craft and her husband, William, escaped to the UK from enslavement in Georgia to become freedom fighters. Ellen also campaigned for women’s rights and suffrage.

  • Irene Barclay

    The first woman to qualify as a chartered surveyor in Britain, Irene Barclay campaigned passionately for better housing, and spoke up on behalf of people living in slum conditions.

  • Una Marson

    The first black producer and broadcaster at the BBC, Jamaican-born Una Marson campaigned for better representation on radio and supported upcoming writing talent.

  • Winifred Atwell

    Winifred Atwell, the first black artist in the UK to have a no. 1 single, ran several businesses including a groundbreaking salon which enabled black women in London to access haircare.

  • Olive Morris

    Olive Morris was an activist dedicated to speaking out on behalf of oppressed and exploited people, and particularly to making housing more accessible. 

  • Clementia Taylor

    Taylor founded the Ladies’ London Emancipation Society, the first national woman’s anti-slavery group, in 1863, and was also an activist for women’s rights.

Untold Stories

Read about some of the women whose stories have slid under the radar. Their achievements – big and small – have made a significant contribution to our lives today, yet often go unrecognised in history.

  • Experiments in Gender

    Exploring the women who adopted masculine styles of dress and the increasingly fluid ideas about gender identity and sexuality in the early 20th century.

  • A Journey into Witchcraft Beliefs

    Step into the world of early modern England as Professor Diane Purkiss describes popular and intellectual beliefs about witchcraft in the 16th and 17th centuries.

  • Weeding Women: Shaping England's Gardens

    Explore the unsung role of ‘weeding women’ in the history of English gardens, and the difficulties of tracing their stories.

  • Groundbreaking Female Archaeologists

    Read about some of the female archaeologists who worked on sites now cared for by English Heritage.

  • Bridget Atkinson, Georgian Shell Collector

    Bridget Atkinson (1732–1814) was an avid collector of shells who amassed a remarkable collection of more than 1,200 items from around the world.

  • The Wrest Park Nurses

    Find out about the lives of some of the women who worked at Wrest Park when the house was transformed into a WWI hospital.

  • Mary Middleton: On Campaign

    Read about Mary Middleton, one of the early women candidates for Parliament, the challenges she faced and the legacy of the first women to stand for Parliament.

  • Women and Garden Design

    We discover some of the women who played a key role in designing the gardens now in the care of English Heritage.

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin in the Maria Mitchell Observatory with photographic plates showing images of stars

New Blue Plaques

In 2026, new London blue plaques will be unveiled to groundbreaking women, including Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, whose discoveries transformed our understanding of the stars; Jill Craigie, a pioneering documentary filmmaker; and Gertrude Tuckwell, who devoted her life to improving conditions for working women. 

Last year, a significant number of plaques were erected to commemorate women’s contributions to society, including those to Second World War spy Odette Sansom, ballet dancer Alicia Markova and the lesbian landmark the Gateways Club.


Image: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin in the Maria Mitchell Observatory with photographic plates showing images of stars (© Courtesy of the United States Naval Observatory Library)

Discover more Women from history

Select the images below to learn about more inspiring women from history. All of them are closely linked with places looked after by English Heritage, or are commemorated in London by our blue plaques scheme.

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Queens of the Past

  • Cartimandua – Queen of the Brigantes

    Ruler of the Brigantes, an Iron Age people of northern Britain, Cartimandua was an important ally of the Roman Empire during the conquest.

  • The Eleanor Crosses: A Journey Set in Stone

    Discover the story of the beautiful stone crosses erected by King Edward I in memory of his beloved first wife, Eleanor of Castile.

  • Mary Queen of Scots at Carlisle Castle

    In 1568, Mary Queen of Scots fled conflict and turmoil in Scotland for England. Find out how and why her two-month stay at Carlisle Castle began 19 years of captivity.

  • Queen Bertha

    In 597, St Augustine arrived in England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. How important was Queen Bertha of Kent, who was already a Christian, in his mission’s success? 

  • Eleanor of Aquitaine

    Eleanor of Aquitaine was queen in turn of two great medieval European powers, France and England. Read more about her life and the very active role she played in the politics of her day.

  • Queen Victoria

    Find out about Queen Victoria and her long reign, a period of immense political, social and cultural change which saw a great expansion of the British Empire.

  • Joan of Navarre

    Read about Joan of Navarre, who was imprisoned at Pevensey Castle in 1420 accused of witchcraft and plotting to kill the king.

  • Mary Tudor, England’s First Queen

    Discover the story of how Mary Tudor was proclaimed the first woman ruler of England while she was at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk in 1553.

  • Elizabeth I

    Tracy Borman examines what the accession of Elizabeth I – who famously remained unmarried – meant for women in positions of power.

Explore more

  • Eight Myths About Witchcraft

    Professor Diane Purkiss tackles the common misconceptions about witchcraft and the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries.

  • LGBTQ History

    LGBTQ history has often been hidden from view. Find out more about the lives of some LGBTQ individuals and their place in the stories of English Heritage sites.

  • Listen to Speaking with Shadows

    The podcast that listens to the people that history forgot. From castles on the south coast to Hadrian’s Wall in the far north, join presenter Josie Long as she seeks out stories from the hidden corners of England’s history.

  • Below Stairs at Audley End

    What were Victorian servants’ lives really like? Discover the stories of the men, women and children who worked at Audley End House in the 1880s.