# XLIV: Of the Onslaught of the Men of the Steer, the Bridge, and the Bull explained — The Roots of the Mountains

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

## What happens

The battle in the Marketstead intensifies as the Men of the Steer, Bridge, and Bull join the fray alongside the Woodlanders and the Wolf. Amidst chaos and confusion, the Dalesmen advance with disciplined spear formations and archery, while the Bride fights fiercely among the bowmen. The Dusky Men, though numerous, are disorganized and suffer heavy losses. The chapter highlights the valor and coordination of the kindreds as they press the attack.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Liberation

The chapter depicts the brutal yet purposeful onslaught of the kindreds against the Dusky Men, aiming to liberate the Dale from oppression.

### Community and Kinship

The unity of the kindreds under their banners and the shared song before battle highlight the strength of communal bonds.

### Honor and Oath-Keeping

The disciplined advance and valorous conduct of the Dalesmen, including the Bride's relentless archery, exemplify their commitment to their oaths and honor.

## Character check-ins

### Face-of-god

Leads the charge down the bent between the two Banners of the Wolf, alongside Red-wolf and War-grove.

### The Bride

Fights among the foremost bowmen, using a short horn bow after her own is broken; she shoots relentlessly into the throng of foes.

### Bow-may

Stands on a mound shooting at notable targets, nearly slain thrice but saved by the Alderman's hammer-work.

### Iron-face

Referenced as the Alderman; his hammer-work protects Bow-may during the battle.

### Hall-face

Mentioned as the Bride's grandsire; she kneels nigh to him under the shadow of the spears while shooting.

### Red-wolf

Fights beside Face-of-god as they descend the bent with the Wolf banner.

## Key lines

> Wild was the turmoil and confusion in the Marketstead; for the more part of the men therein knew not what had befallen about the altar

The Marketstead was in chaos, with most men unaware of what had happened near the altar.

_Describes the initial confusion among the Dusky Men._

> But the Bride in her glittering war-gear, and stepped lightly to the front of the spearmen. Her own yew bow had been smitten by a shaft and broken in her hand: so she had caught up a short horn bow and a quiver from one of the slain of the Dusky Men; and now she knelt on one knee under the shadow of the spears nigh to her grandsire Hall-ward, and with a pale face and knitted brow notched and loosed, and notched and loosed on the throng of foemen

The Bride, in shining armor, moved to the front of the spearmen after her bow was broken, took a fallen enemy's bow, and knelt by her grandfather Hall-ward, shooting arrow after arrow into the enemy crowd with a pale, focused expression.

_Highlights the Bride's resilience and deadly skill in battle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-onslaught-of-the-men-of-the-steer-the-bridge-and-the-bull
- 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