The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris
"The Roots of the Mountains" is a medieval tale set in the peaceful land of Burgdale, which faces the imminent threat of invasion from the Dusky Horde, a group known for their violent tactics. The story features three distinct populations within Burgdale: the powerful residents of Burgstead, the independent Dalesmen who are primarily shepherds, and the weaker Woodlanders. The narrative follows Face-of-God, the eldest son of a prominent family, as he learns of the impending attack from Sun-Beam, a representative of the displaced Sons of the Wolf. In response to the threat, the Burgdalers unite with Sun-Beam’s people, leading to a decisive battle in Silverdale, where they successfully defeat the invaders.
Interwoven with themes of struggle and victory is a double love story that complicates personal relationships and traditions. Face-of-God’s engagement to the Bride shifts as he develops feelings for Sun-Beam, leading to a resolution that upholds family alliances while allowing for new bonds. The tale also explores the historical division and eventual reunification of the Sons of the Wolf, reflecting broader themes of unity among diverse groups. Overall, "The Roots of the Mountains" combines action, romance, and the exploration of community ties in the face of adversity.
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The Roots of the Mountains
First published: 1889
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—heroic fantasy
Time of work: About c.e. 500
Locale: Central Europe
The Plot
The Roots of the Mountains is a tale of the Middle Ages. The members of Burgdale, a complacent, peaceful land, learn that vicious Asiatic invaders known as the Dusky Horde are planning to attack them, enslave the men, and rape the women. The Burgdalers comprise three populations: the powerful residents of Burgstead, who live communally in six kinship groups; the independent Dalesmen, who are mainly shepherds; and the Woodlanders, a smaller and decidedly weaker group. They are led to war by Face-of-God, the eldest son of the most powerful family in Burgdale.
Face-of-God learns of this danger from Sun-Beam, the beautiful representative of the Sons of the Wolf, who a decade before were dispossessed from their ancient lands in nearby Silverdale. Now Sun-Beam and her brother, Folk-might, seek to join forces with the Burgdalers and destroy the Dusky Horde, thus preserving both Burgdale and the remnant of their own people, who are living in the Shadowy Vale. Face-of-God supports Folk-might when the latter comes to Burgstead to announce the impending invasion, and the Dalesmen agree to send a reconnaissance expedition toward Silverdale. The expedition brings back several dozen runaways, who tell the assembled residents of Burgdale some of the horrors that have befallen their once-free people.
The Thing-Mote, or assembly, of the Dale decides that the Dusky Horde must be attacked on its own ground before it has a chance to gather for battle inside the Dale. The Sons of the Wolf lead the combined forces—some fifteen hundred fighters—by a secret path through the mountains, hoping that surprise will compensate for their two-to-one deficit in fighting men. Once the battle is joined in the streets of Silverdale, the Dalesmen use their superiority with the bow to pick off the leaders of the Dusky Horde, and rebelling thralls quickly join forces with their liberators. In a single day, the Asiatic horde is wiped out.
Complicating this story of struggle and victory is a double love story. When Face-of-God meets Sun-Beam, he is already engaged to the Bride, his chosen opposite number in the family his clan traditionally weds. She senses the change in his love and agrees to end the engagement, but Face-of-God must swear to give her his second-born child. The potential for great pain is thus created, but destiny brings the Bride together with Folk-might in marriage. To preserve tradition, Sun-Beam is adopted into the Bride’s family and is then married to Face-of-God. All turns out happily: Face-of-God and Sun-Beam reside in Burgdale, and Folk-might and the Bride rule in Silverdale. Each autumn, their two peoples meet for a reunion and assembly in the Shadowy Vale.
The final subplot is the story of the Woodlanders and the Sons of the Wolf. Generations earlier, hounded by another invading horde, the Sons of the Wolf had fled from the Plain into the foothills of the mountains, where they now live. At one critical pass, the group had disagreed which path to follow and had split in two. Now, centuries later, the two groups are reunited under a newly sewn banner. The joining of disparate peoples into a single Folk seen in the cross-marriages of Face-of-God and the Bride is mirrored in larger terms in the reunification of the people of the Wolf.