# Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed explained — The Roots of the Mountains > Chapter companion for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris. ## What happens The Great Folk-mote assembles with the Dalesmen, Shepherds, and Woodland Carles. The Alderman and chieftains arrive with the Banner of the Burg. The Woodland Carles, belated, march in singing a war-song and unveil the Banner of the Wolf, causing a great shout and emotional reactions among the assembly, including the Sun-beam and Folk-might. ## Themes in this chapter ### Community and Kinship The gathering of Dalesmen, Shepherds, and Woodland Carles at the Folk-mote emphasizes unity and shared purpose. ### War and Liberation The unveiling of the Banner of the Wolf and the war-song signal the impending struggle for freedom and the call to arms. ### Honor and Oath-Keeping The formal assembly and display of banners reflect the solemn oaths and honor-bound commitments of the assembled folk. ## Character check-ins ### Face-of-god Arrives in gleaming war-gear, sits on the Alderman's right, remains still and thoughtful amid the uproar. ### Sun-beam Led by Folk-might, she flushes, weeps with passion at the banner's unveiling. ### Folk-might Leads Sun-beam, sits with glittering eyes and clenched sword-hilt, intensely focused. ### The Bride Stands in war-array among the Men of the Steer, watches Folk-might with flushed and brightened face. ### Iron-face The Alderman, sits amidmost, his face pleased and proud yet shadowed with compassion. ### Hall-face Bears the Banner of the Burg in front of his brother Face-of-god. ## Key lines > Now came the day of the Great Folk-mote, and there was much thronging from everywhere to the Motestead, but most from Burgstead itself, whereas few of the Dale-dwellers who had been at the Fair had gone back home. The day of the great assembly arrived, and people flocked to the meeting place, especially from Burgstead, since most who had attended the fair had not returned home. _Describes the gathering for the Folk-mote._ > And now he reached up his hand, and plucked at the yarn that bound it, which of set purpose was but feeble, and tore it off, and then shook the staff aloft with both hands, and shouted, and lo! the Banner of the Wolf with the Sun-burst behind him, glittering-bright, new-woven by the women of the kindred, ran out in the fresh wind, and flapped and rippled before His warriors there assembled. He tore away the weak binding yarn, raised the staff high, and shouted; the newly woven Banner of the Wolf, with its sunburst design, unfurled in the wind before the warriors. _The dramatic unveiling of the Wolf banner._ > Then from all over the Motestead arose an exceeding great shout, and all men waved aloft their weapons; but the men of Shadowy Vale who were standing amidst the men of the Face knew not how to demean themselves, and some of them ran forth into the Field and leapt for joy, tossing their swords into the air, and catching them by the hilts as they fell. A huge shout erupted from the crowd as weapons were raised; the men of Shadowy Vale, overcome with joy, ran into the field, tossing and catching their swords. _The crowd's ecstatic reaction to the banner._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-the-folk-mote-of-the-dalesmen-the-shepherd-folk-and-the-woodland-carles-the-banner-of-the-wolf-displayed - 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