The very title of this picture transforms it from a history painting into a general allegory of war itself and, more particularly women’s role in it. Three major conflicts occurred through Meritt’s life-time causing her family to migrate to different countries. Influenced by her own personal experience, rather than depicting the direct impact of a warzone or devastated landscape, she has chosen to portray women and families whose lives have been indirectly impacted in War. The women take centre stage here. They are on a balcony observing a victory parade at some unspecified time in the past. The mediaeval armour and classical architecture are uncomfortably mixed and signal that this is not based on an actual historical event. The women on the left hold both a laurel wreath for the victor and more sinister, a palm, the Christian symbol of martyrdom.