During the nineteenth century, Cambridge University used ancient laws, established through an Elizabethan charter, enabling it to arrest and imprison unchaperoned women found walking the streets of Cambridge after dark.

Women at the time were blamed for distracting the male students so they were punished for imaginary crimes. The aim was to guard the reputation of the establishment to ensure families were confident in sending their sons away to study and for continued investment in the institution. 

Eventually an Act of Parliament put an end to the university’s jurisdiction over the women of Cambridge but only after many lives had been blighted, sometimes with tragic consequences. Here, the author describes a few of the individuals who helped bring about the change.

It is an astonishing story about a place, people and events I knew nothing about. It's written with a passion and immediacy that makes it as easy to read as fiction, but with every turn of the page comes a shocking realisation that it actually happened.

The author shares in her introduction, too, how she was only able to access all the material she needed in her research when she had attained the right status and qualifications, seen as acceptable by the university. The 'town' and 'gown' divide is still very real, she says. 

It's an incredible and important book which is beautifully written, gripping and poignant. And I will think on, next time I walk across Parker's Piece or visit Kettle's Yard.