# The Knight of Longshaw Gathereth Force explained — The Sundering Flood

> Chapter companion for The Sundering Flood by William Morris.

## What happens

The Knight of Longshaw, content at Wethermel, decides to gather men at Eastcheaping to fight his foes. Osberne offers to lead the host, but the Knight refuses, fearing a prophecy that Osberne would die in battle near the City of the Sundering Flood. Osberne reluctantly returns home, and later hears that the Knight has succeeded. The chapter also notes Osberne's quarterly visits to Steelhead, who remains unchanged.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

The Knight of Longshaw sacrifices Osberne's companionship to protect him from a prophesied death, while Osberne accepts the refusal out of friendship.

### Fate and Destiny

The Knight's dream prophecy that Osberne would die near the City of the Sundering Flood drives his decision to refuse Osberne's help.

## Character check-ins

### Osberne Wulfgrimsson

Offers to lead the Knight's host but is refused; returns home to Wethermel and continues visiting Steelhead quarterly.

### Elfhild

Mentioned as the fair wife of Osberne, whose beauty pleases the Knight of Longshaw.

### The Blue Knight

The Knight of Longshaw gathers force at Eastcheaping, refuses Osberne's aid due to a dream prophecy, and later succeeds against his foes.

### Steelhead

Osberne visits him quarterly in the dale; he remains unchanged and maintains good love with Osberne.

## Key lines

> I have seen thee in a dream of the night and in a dream of the day living at Wethermel and dying on a field near the City of the Sundering Flood.

The Knight tells Osberne that he has dreamed of him living at Wethermel but dying in battle near the City of the Sundering Flood.

_This prophecy motivates the Knight to refuse Osberne's help._

> Six months hence he heard true tidings of the Knight, that he had gathered an host and fallen on his foes, and had fared nowhere save to thrive.

Six months later, Osberne learns that the Knight successfully raised an army and defeated his enemies.

_Confirms the Knight's success without Osberne's involvement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/lxviii-the-knight-of-longshaw-gathereth-force
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters