# How the Maiden Ward Was Held in Burgdale explained — The Roots of the Mountains > Chapter companion for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris. ## What happens The Host returns to Burgdale as May ends, and the Midsummer Weddings are eagerly anticipated, especially the wedding of Face-of-god and Sun-beam. Sun-beam must join the Maiden Ward with the other brides. The day arrives with seventeen brides assembled at Burgstead, including Sun-beam, who remains calm and quiet. They proceed to the causeway where bowers are built. The brides sing a song as the sun sets, and then the young men of the Dale arrive. The grooms claim their brides, and Face-of-god finds Sun-beam waiting for him. They take a detour through the meadows, watching the moonrise, before returning to the House of the Face. There, Face-of-god declares he has kept his oath to wed the fairest woman, and the Hall erupts in joy. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Sacrifice Face-of-god and Sun-beam's love is central; Sun-beam's quiet demeanor reflects her feeding her soul with joy of days to be, despite foreboding trouble. ### Community and Kinship The Maiden Ward brings together the entire Dale, with brides from various steads and the young men newly delivered from war, celebrating as a community. ### Tradition and Change The Maiden Ward is a traditional custom, but this year it is marked by the aftermath of battle and the union of Face-of-god and Sun-beam, blending old ways with new beginnings. ## Character check-ins ### Face-of-god Waits patiently for the Maiden Ward, holds his head high among the people, and finally claims Sun-beam as his bride, leading her through the meadows to the Hall. ### Sun-beam Participates in the Maiden Ward as a bride, remains calm and quiet throughout the day, and is claimed by Face-of-god at dusk. ### Stone-face Makes a remark about not begrudging wayward lovers an hour's waste of candlelight when Face-of-god and Sun-beam return late. ### Iron-face Speaks unheard amidst the clamor, asking how it fares with his darling and daughter who dwells amongst strangers. ## Key lines > Now May was well worn when the Host came home to Burgdale; and on the very morrow of men's homecoming they began to talk eagerly of the Midsummer Weddings, and how the Maiden Ward would be the greatest and fairest of all yet seen, whereas battle and the deliverance from battle stir up the longing and love both of men and maidens The Host returned to Burgdale at the end of May, and immediately the people spoke excitedly about the Midsummer Weddings, believing the Maiden Ward would be the most splendid ever because the recent battle and liberation had intensified everyone's desires and affections. _Highlights the immediate aftermath of war and its effect on communal celebrations._ > For it must be said that as some folk eat out their hearts with fear of the coming evils, even so was she feeding her soul with the joy of the days to be, whatever trouble might fall upon them, whereof belike she foreboded some. While some people are consumed by anxiety about future troubles, Sun-beam was nourishing her spirit with the happiness of what was to come, even though she likely sensed some difficulties ahead. _Contrasts Sun-beam's inner peace with typical fear, showing her unique perspective._ > How then have I kept mine oath, whereas I swore on the Holy Boar to wed the fairest woman of the world? Face-of-god asks the assembled kindred how he has fulfilled his oath sworn on the Holy Boar to marry the most beautiful woman in the world. _Direct reference to the earlier oath, marking its fulfillment._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lviii-how-the-maiden-ward-was-held-in-burgdale - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters