Origins & Inspiration

The Netherlands knows many beautiful, strange and forgotten tales, which don’t get explored often enough.

The Witch of Eastbrook is directly inspired by a 16th century written work by the physician Boudewijn Ronsse. He wrote this work to convince his skeptical colleague Johannes Wier about the existence of Witches and Witchcraft. It is safe to say he felt Witches were a true danger, as many did at the time, and did not hold the same affections for them as this project does.

Yet the story about a Witch and a curious knave flying on the back of a pitchfork to attend a congregation of Witches sparked both imagination and curiosity about this small piece of heritage. It is rooted deeply in an appreciation for Dutch history, the true locations it takes place in such as Utrecht and Wyck and the interest in the fictitious details. The original tale had many made up details to expand upon. Eastbrook was never a town, but it is a place. There was a mayor of Utrecht, but it wasn’t the man described in the tales.

This has caused a treasure hunt to the history and fiction of the Netherlands and Utrecht in the 16h century. This project is the culmination of the search that spanned real locations, books, museums and conversations with locals.

Finally, it is a love letter to Dutch heritage and history, one to hopefully enthuse both Dutch and foreign onlookers.