The Strange Tale of Elizabeth Woodcock
Detail from the “Strange Tale of Elizabeth Woodcock” Reduction Lino Print by Lizzie Ault
On the 2nd of February 1799 Elizabeth Woodcock, a Cambridge woman, became buried in the snow in a field near the village of Impington in Cambridgeshire, UK.
The story goes that she was returning from Cambridge to her home in Impington when she was caught in a blizzard. Her horse was spooked and threw her off. After chasing him around for a while she became exhausted and took shelter under a tree where she became buried, unable to get up.
Elizabeth was buried so deeply in a show drift that she was unable to move her legs. She couldn’t reach her basket which contained food but she did have nuts and a nutcracker as well as an almanac to keep herself entertained. She survived by eating show. She marked the passing of time by the chiming of the nearby church bells. She remained this way for 8 whole days.
Elizabeth was able to make a small flag out of her handkerchief. It was this that drew the attention of her rescuers.
After her ordeal Elizabeth became quite famous and received many gifts and visitors but she sadly died a few months later.
This was such an unusual story that I was moved to illustrate it. The ordeal happened around the pagan festival of Imbolc where Bride, the goddess of spring is believed to rise from her icy prison, melting the ice with her breath and leaving a trail of snowdrops. Elizabeth Woodcock in her icy prison reminds me of Bride a little. It also puts me in mind of the lockdowns we all experienced during the pandemic. I also found her strength of mind, marking the time by the chiming of bells and staying awake inspiring.
This is the most detailed and intricate linocut I have made to date. I printed it in shades of icy blue to give it a chilly feeling. It is a reduction lino print so the block was destroyed in the process of printing, which is rather soul destroying. It is a limited edition run of 10. The print is available for sale through Babylon Gallery.
