**TL;DR Emily Davison intended to kill herself for the suffragette movement, however, her death was disputed as the government worried that a martyr for the cause would be too powerful**. One of the most popular historical debates is regarding the death of Emily Davison, she was heavily involved in the suffragette movement. On the 4th June 1913, she attended the famous Epsom Derby event, she walked into the track of the King’s horse and was killed. Some people believe this was a tragic accident, I think she intentionally killed herself in the name of the suffragette cause. Eyewitnesses from the event make it clear that Emily intentionally wanted to be hit by the horse. [John Ervine who was present at the event,]( https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/babe-ruth-and-oscar-wilde-in-5-facts/) stated that ‘I feel sure that Ms Davison meant to stop the horse…only a few of the horses had gone by when I first saw her leave the railings, and others had not passed when she was knocked down.’ Another eyewitness also claimed that ‘it was obviously her intention to stop the race.’ Channel 4 also recently investigated this case, which further evidenced the claims of people that her actions were deliberate. Their analysis of the film indicated that [the position Davison was in before she stepped out on the track meant that she had a clear view of the oncoming race.]( https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/26/emily-davison-suffragette-death-derby-1913) Emily Davison was a radical suffragette and was known to take dangerous risks for the cause. She had previously thrown herself over the railings twice in Holloway prison, and then stated that ‘a tragedy is wanted’ for the suffragette cause. Emmeline Pankhurst who was leader of the Women’s social and political union, said that she believed the acts of Davison were intentional as she thought a great tragedy, as such, would put an ‘end to the intolerable torture of women.’ Despite the disputes, there is lots of evidence to strongly suggest that Davison was so invested in the suffragette movement, she was willing to end her life for the cause. The people who knew her genuinely believe that was her intention. I think that was her intention too, and that debates surrounding her death was ignited as the government worried that a martyr for the suffragette cause would make them too powerful.

**TL;DR- I think Emily Davison knew the risks and knew how much of a dangerous position she was in as soon as she stepped out onto the race-track. However I believe in the popular argument that she was attempting to pin the suffragette banner to the kings horse (as a publicity stunt) and it went tragically wrong.** There is much evidence to suggest that dying as a matyr was not Davison's intention, as she had on her a return ticket, an admission to a suffragette dance later that same evening, and was also ready to go on holiday to France to visit her sister. If Davison intended to die when she did, then why was she carrying things like these? Because it was an accident. To throw the suffragette banner on the king's horse as it crossed the finish line at a famous derby would be the perfect publicity stunt, and would bring even more attention to the cause. Suffragettes were also seen [practising grabbing horses] (https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/babe-ruth-and-oscar-wilde-in-5-facts/)before the race, and this strongly suggests that this is what they were planning, as they even [drew lots to decide who should do the job at the derby] (https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/babe-ruth-and-oscar-wilde-in-5-facts/). Why else would the suffragettes practise horse-grabbing if not to attempt a stunt? Also, Davison had two WSPU flags in her possession when she died. A letter from another well-known suffragette, Sylvia Pankhurst, also exposes flaws in the theory that Davison intentionally killed herself. Pankhurst knew Davison, both of them being prominent suffragettes, and in her letter she stated the following: >[“She had concerted a derby protest without tragedy – a mere waving of the purple-white-and-green at Tattenham Corner, which, by its suddenness, it was hoped would stop the race. Whether from the first her purpose was more serious, or whether a final impulse altered her resolve, I know not. Her friend declares she would not thus have died without writing a farewell message to her mother.”] (https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/babe-ruth-and-oscar-wilde-in-5-facts/) I don't think Davison deliberately intended to kill herself at Epsom Derby, as evidence doesn't add up. However, I also think that she *didn't mind* risking her life for the suffragette cause.