a Letter to Elizabeth Tibbots, an arts and more festival conceived from the correspondence between Darcy Neven and Pablo Hannon and a desire to visualize the energy of a circle of women. The invitation addressed a diverse range of voices to react on an archived letter written on 2 November, 1672 by Ralph Hope on the subject of Elizabeth Tibbots in Hust, Stoneleigh, UK. The letter can be read and heard via National Archives UK. This letter was chosen as starting point. The art festival caused exhibitions, talks, screenings, performances and more, happening in Maison Florida in Hasselt, inside the large space we called The Gallery.
All artists were invited to write a letter to Elizabeth Tibbots. The form and language of the letter was free. Letters were sent from abroad, delivered or installed, performed and embodied. Three days starting Friday 26 November, ending 28 November. Day 1 focused on building a STATUE for Elizabeth Tibbots, via performance, image and all the letters written to her. Day 2 invited VOICES via readings, monologue, dialogue and group discussion. Day 3 embraced and channeled ENERGY via different moments. The day and festival ended with Circle of Women, a ceremony of closure. Participating artists were Hendrickje van Dijk, Stacey Sanders, Ilze Vanaga, Inga Erdmane, Sarah Hermans, Gina Siliquini, Céline Mannens, Lavinia Wouters, Fien Geers, Gosselé Carina, Daniela Petrovic, Lieze Vogels, Ruth Vanherwegen, Vanhees Hilde, Işıl Yücel, Lena Derwael, Catarina Ponte, Lot Geukens, Hilde Overbergh, Ilse Van Roy, Rachel Hansoul, Robin Den Ridder, Lien Hillen, Madeli Viljoen, Gulsah Bayrak, Maureen Bachaus, Elena Victoria Pastor, Darcy Neven, Lotte Jacobs, Louise Goffin, Caroline Sarneel, Kirsten Vanlangenaeker, Hilde Bouchez, Julie Scheurweghs, Juliana Bezold, Tracy Widdess, Vita Behage, Emma Penders, Lenka Novak, Eylem Polat, Deniece Clermonts, Lore Stessel, Hilde Vanhees, Romy, …
Early Modern Witch Trials, The National Archives, UK In this letter the account of a woman who has been observed acting incredibly strangely is reported. The author suspects that she has either been bewitched, or is a witch herself. He is certain of what he has seen and that the Devil must be behind her bizarre behaviour, 2 November, 1672. Elizabeth Tibbots is 18 years old at the time of the letter.
Transcript of the letter: All our wonder hereabouts is employed at the strange condition of a maid near us, one Elizabeth Tibbots of about 18 years of age living with her uncle, one Thomas Crofts, at a place called Hust in the parish of Stoneleigh, about two miles hence. Which maid, for about this 3 weeks past has been taken with strange fits, in which she has vomited up several things incredible, as first several pebble stones near as big as eggs, knives, scissors, pieces of glass, some of them two or three inches square, pieces of iron, an iron bullet of at least 8 inches round and 2 pound & half weight, a black drinking-pot of near half a pint, pieces of cloth and wood, a pocket pistol, a pair of pincers, bottoms of yarn, and several other things, many whereof are now at our Mayor’s, and have been evidently seen to come out of her mouth by many credible witnesses. Nor should I my self venture to give you this relation, which seems so unlike truth, had I not myself been an eyewitness with my most curious observation of so much of it, that I am con- firmed in the belief of the whole. All which is imputed to some diabolical practices of one Watson, a strange kind of an empiric [fraud or charlatan] to whom she was sometime a patient, who had it seems so wrought with her, as that she had promised him marriage, and to go with him (though she knew not whither) but afterwards refused it. Immediately upon which she fell into those fits. Yet now she has respites, during which she appears reasonably well, and I have heard her discourse very rationally of her self and her condition, a full account whereof would be too long to give. ‘Tis said these 4 or 5 days past (in which I have not seen her) some what appears to her in the shape of a dog. Now, whether she is bewitched or whether she be a witch, or whether the devil be in her, as well as some others of her sex, I know not, but that what I have told you seemed to the most vigilant eye to be infallibly true, is not doubtable. So that it be not really so, I can only say the devil’s in it, who, you may perhaps may fancy to be in him that gives this seemingly incredible relation. which be pleased to accept for better for worse. From Sir your most obliged humble servant Ralph Hope
