The Hag's Mantle

The Hag's Mantle derives from the Ingoldsby Legends' tale of Robert de Shurland—Sheppey's beloved folk narrative of hubris and prophecy—provides the foundational mythology for this site-responsive reimagining. Where Victorian literary tradition cast the prophetic "hag" as mere doom-speaker, The Hag's Mantle inverts this perspective, transforming her into the marshland's knowing protector.

This ceremonial garment, featuring embroidered motifs of Grey Dolphin's skull and De Shurland's tomb graffiti, creates a visual dialogue between medieval folklore and contemporary environmental consciousness. The distinctive mask fuses marsh harrier imagery with plague doctor aesthetics, bridging historical medical practice with modern ecological protection.

Situated within Kent's salt marshes—true edge-lands that resist simple classification—the performance activates these ancient wetlands as spaces where feminine power and natural wisdom endure. Through this deliberate conflation of historical references, The Hag's Mantle positions the marsh guardian as both protector and prophet, challenging viewers to reconsider our relationship with natural spaces while illuminating how medieval sensibilities speak directly to current environmental concerns.