The Holloway brooch was presented by the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) to women who had been imprisoned at Holloway Prison for militant suffragette activity.

It is also referred to as the "Portcullis badge",[1] the "Holloway Prison brooch"[2] and the "Victoria Cross of the Union".

[3] In the early part of the twentieth century many suffragettes were incarcerated at the prison.

Made of silver, it depicts the portcullis symbol of Parliament and a broad arrow, associated with prison uniforms, in purple, white, and green enamel.

[6] On 29 April 1909 the first brooches were distributed at a large meeting at the Albert Hall organised by the WSPU.