Remarkable women who helped shape the county’s character
With International Women’s Day being celebrated in March, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the remarkable women who have help shaped North Yorkshire’s history. Their resilience, strength, and innovation have left a lasting impact on the county.
In 1872, 11-year-old Sophia Constable from Whitby was sentenced to three weeks of hard labour in Northallerton Prison for obtaining a loaf of bread under false pretences. She later returned to Whitby, married, and had children. Today, a life-sized statue by acclaimed artist Ray Lonsdale at the former prison site, now the Treadmills development, honours her resilience.
During the First World War, the Harrogate Women’s Sewing League supported troops by producing an astonishing 1,180,472 medical and surgical supplies, demonstrating the vital contributions of women on the home front.
Hannah Hauxwell, born in 1926, gained national attention in the 1970s through the documentary Too Long a Winter. Living alone on her remote farm in Baldersdale, within the traditional boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire, she endured harsh conditions without electricity or running water. Her quiet strength and love for the land became a symbol of rural resilience.
Ursula Lascelles championed women’s and children’s welfare, using her privileged position to improve healthcare in North Yorkshire’s rural areas. Bridget Talbot’s invention of a waterproof torch saved lives during the First World War, while her efforts preserved Kiplin Hall for future generations.
Another influential figure is Katherine Worsley, Duchess of Kent, born at Hovingham Hall. She married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961 at York Minster, with Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family in attendance. Known for her dedication to charitable causes, especially in music education and healthcare, she remains a significant figure in North Yorkshire’s history.
Alongside these well-known names, countless other women - farmers, teachers, nurses, and community leaders - have helped to shaped the county’s story.
International Women's Day is staged on 8 March and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Let us honour not only the trailblazers but also the many unsung heroines whose contributions continue to enrich North Yorkshire.
Elizabeth I - Queen of England (reigned 1558-1603)
Amongst papers in the Beresford-Peirse archive is a Royal Sign Manual Warrant of Elizabeth 1 and countersigned by countersigned by William Cecil and Lord Burghley. Dated 7 May 1578 it grants Sir George Bowes, Knight, the wardship and marriage of Thomas, son and heir of Richard Metrick, a deceased tenant in chief.
Hannah Hauxwell – Farmer
A picture of Hannah Hauxwell taken by Bertram Unné in September 1966. Hannah later achieved celebrity status after appearing on a television documentary Too Long a Winter. This is a memory of her before she became famous and before she moved to Cotherstone.
Henrietta Matilda Crompton – Artist
Silhouette cut-out of Henrietta (1793-1881) endorsed: ‘Henrietta Matilda Crompton cutout at York by G Barber Schierochiratomist for 1 shilling given to her very dearest Polly, York, May 1823’).
Also, a sketch of a woman in a hat, from her sketchbook of 1821. Images from the Crompton family archive.
Henrietta, from a wealthy Derby banking family, who settled in Yorkshire at Esholt Hall and Micklegate House in York. A lifelong artist she sketched and painted watercolours, taking lessons from renowned artists Copley Fielding and David Cox with her work influenced by Romanticism and the picturesque movement.
The postmistress of North Grimston
Captured by local photographer Bertam Unné, no date but possibly during the 1950s/60s. Sadly no details accompanying the photograph, not even her name. From the Bertam Unné photographic collection.
Sophia Constable – youngest inmate of Northallerton prison
Image from a police mugshots book in collection.
Sophia Constable (1862-1932) of Whitby was jailed aged 11 in Northallerton Prison for obtaining a loaf of bread under false pretences, overcame her early struggles. She is now commemorated by a life-sized statue by Ray Lonsdale at the former prison site, Treadmills Development.
Katherine Worsley – Duchess of Kent
Of Hovingham Hall, Hovingham, she married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961 at York Minster. The wedding was attended by the Queen Mother, Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles (as was) and Princess Anne as one of the bridesmaids.
Ursula Lascelles – VAD Nurse
Born in 1890, Ursula was part of the Lascelles family of Sheriff Hutton, though walked away from her home comforts to work as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse in Britain and France during WWI. She kept in touch with many of the survivors she’d helped until her death in 1992 aged 102. Images from the Lascelles, Isherwood & Williamson family records [Ref ZZW] and the Isherwood & Lascelles family records.
Bridget Talbot – British politician, campaigner, and inventor
A joint owner of Kiplin Hall, Bridget (1885-1971) was a VAD nurse and worked with the Red Cross assisting Belgian refugees during WWI. Most notably, she invented a watertight electric torch in the 1930s which was eventually made compulsory on all lifebelts used by merchant Navy, Royal Navy and RAF personnel – thus saving many lives during WWII. Image from the Kiplin Hall Estate archive.
Harrogate Women’s Sewing League – vital supplies made for troops during WWI
A women's sewing league in Harrogate. The sewing leagues apparently made 1,180,472 medical and surgical articles for troops during the first world war. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.
Pen sketch of Elizabeth I on Askrigg Market Charter, 1587.