# XI: Men Make Oath at Burgstead on the Holy Boar explained — The Roots of the Mountains

> Chapter companion for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

## What happens

At the Yule feast in Burgstead, the community gathers at the House of the Face for oath-swearing on the Holy Boar. Face-of-god initially mistakes the Bride for the Woman of the Mountain, but she is revealed in splendid attire. Various men swear oaths, including Bristler vowing to pursue the ransackers, and Face-of-god swearing to wed the fairest woman of the Earth before year's end. The Bride and Stone-face note his changed demeanor with unease.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Oath-Keeping

The central ritual of the chapter is the swearing of oaths on the Holy Boar, with characters like Bristler and Face-of-god pledging deeds that bind their honor.

### Tradition and Change

The Yule custom of oath-swearing is upheld, but Face-of-god's oath hints at a departure from tradition, seeking a bride beyond the Dale, unsettling the Bride and Stone-face.

### Love and Sacrifice

Face-of-god's oath to wed the fairest woman reflects his romantic longing, while the Bride's unease suggests the personal sacrifice and tension underlying his vow.

## Character check-ins

### Face-of-god

Sits between his father and Stone-face at the feast; mistakes the Bride for the Woman of the Mountain; swears an oath to wed the fairest woman of the Earth.

### The Bride

Enters the hall in glistering raiment, bearing a sword; sits between Face-of-god and Stone-face; notes Face-of-god's changed eyes and voice with unease.

### Iron-face

The Alderman; merry and jovial at the feast; reveals the Bride's entrance as a Yule custom; swears three oaths on the Holy Boar.

### Stone-face

Sits beside Face-of-god; observes Face-of-god's strange behavior and the Bride's displeasure; resolves to speak with his fosterling.

### Bristler

A man of the Shepherds; swears to follow up the ransackers of Penny-thumb and the slayers of Rusty.

### Gold-mane

Present at the feast; initially confused by the Yule show; smiles upon the Bride when she sits beside him.

## Key lines

> I will be no backwarder in the onset than three fathoms behind the foremost.

I will be among the very first to charge into battle, no more than three fathoms behind the leader.

_Iron-face swears to be at the forefront in any war._

> Hereby I swear to wed the fairest woman of the Earth before the year is worn to an end; and that whether the Dalesmen gainsay me or the men beyond the Dale.

I swear to marry the most beautiful woman in the world within the year, regardless of opposition from the Dalesmen or outsiders.

_Face-of-god's oath, which troubles the Bride and Stone-face._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xi-men-make-oath-at-burgstead-on-the-holy-boar
- 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