The House of Arden · Chapter
May-Blossom and Pearls explained
Elfrida and Edred participate in a May Day dance before King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn.
What happens
Elfrida and Edred participate in a May Day dance before King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. Elfrida is pushed forward to present flowers and recite a poem, but her knowledge of Anne's tragic fate distresses her. After the dance, they flee into the woods with Old Betty Lovell, who warns them of the King's anger. They escape into the Mouldiwarp's cave, where Richard Arden refuses to return to their modern times, criticizing its social injustices. The Mouldiwarp prepares a clock for their return home.
Themes in this chapter
The Past as a Living Presence
Elfrida is haunted by her knowledge of Anne Boleyn's future execution, illustrating how the past's tragedies intrude on the present.
Social Class and Impoverishment
Richard Arden criticizes modern society's exploitation of the poor, contrasting it with the past's more direct violence.
Courage and Resourcefulness
Elfrida bravely recites the May Day poem before the King and Queen, and the children quickly follow Betty Lovell's escape plan.
Characters to notice
- Elfrida Arden
Distressed by her historical knowledge of Anne Boleyn's fate; recites a May Day poem to the King and Queen; insists on holding hands during magic.
- Edred Arden
Participates in the Maypole dance; defends modern times against Richard's criticisms; vows to address social injustices when he becomes Lord Arden.
- The Mouldiwarp
Appears unexpectedly in the chalk cave; leads the children into its house; prepares a white clock for their return.
- Old Betty Lovell
Acts as the witch who pushes Elfrida forward; later warns them to flee; helps uncover the smugglers' cave entrance.
- Master Richard Arden
Refuses to travel to modern times, citing its cruelty and social inequality; accuses the children of neglecting their father's fate.
Key passages
“I wish I didn’t know so much history... It’s dreadful to know that her head—”
Elfrida regrets her historical knowledge because she knows Anne Boleyn will be executed.
Elfrida's awareness of future tragedy spoils the present moment.
“If I were Lord Arden, I’d make a vow, and I’d keep it too, never to have a day’s holiday or do a single thing I liked till all those things were stopped.”
Richard Arden says that if he were Lord Arden, he would dedicate himself to ending social injustices.
Richard's passionate critique of modern social conditions.