Forced Abortion in England and Wales in the Long Eighteenth-Century

This paper examines narratives of violence against pregnant women committed with the intention of terminating pregnancies, as documented in criminal records, newspapers, and ballads from England and Wales during the long eighteenth century. It explores both real and fictional cases in which individuals acted upon pregnant women’s bodies to induce abortion—sometimes with, but often without, their knowledge or consent. While such cases have been discussed in relation to ‘sweetheart murder’ and infanticide, they have not been widely examined through the lens of women’s reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. This study considers the often-violent methods used to force abortions, the relationships between women and those who inflicted them, the alleged motives for enacting this violence, the consequences of these acts, and the legal and popular responses they provoked. Contemporary debates on abortion typically centre on a woman’s right to choose termination; however, historical evidence highlights the other side of that same coin. These cases reveal persistent anxieties surrounding women’s bodies, fertility, and sexuality. By examining these cases, we gain deeper insight into the broader implications of these concerns and their lasting impact on women’s reproductive autonomy.

This seminar aims to create a welcoming space for discussion and debate, fostering a professional environment where diverse views and perspectives can be shared. You can find more on this via our seminar page on the IHR website.

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All welcome. This event is free to attend, but advance registration is required.

This will be a ‘hybrid’ seminar with a limited number of places available in person and a larger number of bookings for online attendance via Zoom. Those attending in person are asked to bring a Wi-Fi enabled laptop, tablet or phone.

The session will start at the slightly later time of 17:30.