The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
I: Birdalone Rides to Greenford and There Takes Leave of Arnold and His Men explained
Birdalone rides to Greenford with Arnold and his men, where she is well received by the deputy of the burgrave.
What happens
Birdalone rides to Greenford with Arnold and his men, where she is well received by the deputy of the burgrave. The next morning, she sends Arnold and the men back, then hires Gerard of the Clee and his two sons, Robert and Giles, as servants and guards. She reveals she is fleeing from friends, not foes, and they agree to travel together toward the City of the Five Crafts, with Gerard suggesting a route over the downland to avoid detection.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone exercises agency by dismissing Arnold and his men, hiring her own guards, and choosing her own path, demonstrating independence and self-determination.
Journey and Quest
The chapter focuses on Birdalone's deliberate journey away from Greenford toward an unknown destination, emphasizing the theme of travel and adventure.
Class and Servitude
The hiring of Gerard and his sons as servants and guards, and the discussion of wages and livelihood, highlight class dynamics and the reliance on service for survival.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Birdalone takes leave of Arnold, hires Gerard and his sons, and reveals she is fleeing from friends, seeking a place to dwell and earn her livelihood.
- Gerard of the Clee
Gerard, an old but wayworthy man, is hired by Birdalone along with his two sons. He offers to guide her over the downland to the City of the Five Crafts, and shares his story of losing his home to the Red Hold.
- Robert Gerardson
Robert, one of Gerard's sons, is hired as a servant and guard for Birdalone, traveling with her from Greenford.
- Giles Gerardson
Giles, the other son of Gerard, is also hired as a servant and guard, accompanying Birdalone on her journey.
- Arnold
Arnold escorts Birdalone to Greenford and is sent back by her the next morning, receiving a ring as a token of her gratitude.
Key passages
“I am a damsel adventurous, and am but seeking some place where I may dwell and earn my livelihood till better days come; and this is the whole truth, and thou shalt know it at once, to wit, that I am indeed fleeing, and were fain to hide the footsteps of me, and I bid you three to help me therein.”
Birdalone confesses to Gerard and his sons that she is an adventurous maiden fleeing from her friends, seeking a place to live and work, and asks for their help in hiding her trail.
Birdalone reveals her true situation to her new companions, establishing trust and setting the tone for their journey.
“Lady, I thank thee heartily of thy much grace unto me; now would I get off my nag and kneel to thee in the highway therefor, but that I see that thou wert fain to make as much way as may be today; wherefore, by thy leave, I will tarry my homaging till we rest our horses by the wayside.”
Gerard expresses gratitude to Birdalone and offers to kneel in homage, but defers the gesture to avoid delaying their travel.
Gerard's deference shows the respect and loyalty he feels toward Birdalone, despite their recent acquaintance.