The House of the Wolfings (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Tale of the House of the Wolfings and All the Kindreds of the Mark Written in Prose and in VerseBy William Morris
Length9h 55m
About this audiobook
The House of the Wolfings is William Morris's richly archaic prose romance of a Gothic tribe resisting the advance of imperial Rome. Set in the legendary Mark along the river, it blends heroic warfare, communal ritual, prophecy, and tragic love, centering on Thiodolf and the mysterious Wood-Sun. Its elevated diction, interwoven verse, and saga-like structure place it between medieval epic, Norse-inspired romance, and the emerging modern fantasy tradition. Morris, poet, designer, socialist, and leading figure of the Arts and Crafts movement, brought to the book his lifelong devotion to medieval literature, especially Icelandic sagas and Germanic legend. His translations and antiquarian interests shaped both the novel's language and its imagined social world: a communal, pre-capitalist society whose dignity and craftsmanship reflect Morris's political ideals as much as his aesthetic convictions. This book is recommended to readers interested in the origins of fantasy, Victorian medievalism, and literature that fuses myth with social vision. Though its deliberate archaism may require patience, it rewards attention with grandeur, moral seriousness, and a haunting sense of a people defending not merely land, but a whole way of life.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (2.1K)
Includes Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing, StoryGraph
GenreFantasy, General Fiction
Length9 hrs 55 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 27, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6CHAPTER I—THE DWELLINGS OF MID-MARK
7CHAPTER II—THE FLITTING OF THE WAR-ARROW
8CHAPTER III—THIODOLF TALKETH WITH THE WOOD-SUN
9CHAPTER IV—THE HOUSE FARETH TO THE WAR
10CHAPTER V—CONCERNING THE HALL-SUN
11CHAPTER VI—THEY TALK ON THE WAY TO THE FOLK-THING
12CHAPTER VII—THEY GATHER TO THE FOLK-MOTE
13CHAPTER VIII—THE FOLK-MOTE OF THE MARKMEN
14CHAPTER IX—THE ANCIENT MAN OF THE DAYLINGS
15CHAPTER X—THAT CARLINE COMETH TO THE ROOF OF THE WOLFINGS
16CHAPTER XI—THE HALL-SUN SPEAKETH
17CHAPTER XII—TIDINGS OF THE BATTLE IN MIRKWOOD
18CHAPTER XIII—THE HALL-SUN SAITH ANOTHER WORD
19CHAPTER XIV—THE HALL-SUN IS CAREFUL CONCERNING THE PASSES OF THE WOOD
20CHAPTER XV—THEY HEAR TELL OF THE BATTLE ON THE RIDGE
21CHAPTER XVI—HOW THE DWARF-WROUGHT HAUBERK WAS BROUGHT AWAY FROM THE HALL OF THE DAYLINGS
22CHAPTER XVII—THE WOOD-SUN SPEAKETH WITH THIODOLF
23CHAPTER XVIII—TIDINGS BROUGHT TO THE WAIN-BURG
24CHAPTER XIX—THOSE MESSENGERS COME TO THIODOLF
25CHAPTER XX—OTTER AND HIS FOLK COME INTO MID-MARK
26CHAPTER XXI—THEY BICKER ABOUT THE FORD
27CHAPTER XXII—OTTER FALLS ON AGAINST HIS WILL
28CHAPTER XXIII—THIODOLF MEETETH THE ROMANS IN THE WOLFING MEADOW
29CHAPTER XXIV—THE GOTHS ARE OVERTHROWN BY THE ROMANS
30CHAPTER XXV—THE HOST OF THE MARKMEN COMETH INTO THE WILD-WOOD
31CHAPTER XXVI—THIODOLF TALKETH WITH THE WOOD-SUN
32CHAPTER XXVII—THEY WEND TO THE MORNING BATTLE
33CHAPTER XXVIII—OF THE STORM OF DAWNING
34CHAPTER XXI—OF THIODOLF’S STORM
35CHAPTER XXX—THIODOLF IS BORNE OUT OF THE HALL AND OTTER IS LAID BESIDE HIM
36CHAPTER XXXI—OLD ASMUND SPEAKETH OVER THE WAR-DUKES: THE DEAD ARE LAID IN MOUND
37Analysis
38Reflection
39Memorable Quotes
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