The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
I: Sir Hugh Asketh Birdalone Where She Would Have the Abode of Their Fellowship to Be explained
Hugh asks Birdalone where she wishes their fellowship to dwell, offering to follow her anywhere.
What happens
Hugh asks Birdalone where she wishes their fellowship to dwell, offering to follow her anywhere. Birdalone reveals her bond with the wood-woman Habundia and proposes they settle in Utterhay, near the forest of Evilshaw. Hugh agrees, and they plan to fetch his children and livelihood from his homeland.
Themes in this chapter
Journey and Quest
The chapter centers on deciding the fellowship's future dwelling, a quest for a new home and the journey to fetch Hugh's belongings.
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone is given the choice of where to live, and she asserts her oath to Habundia, demonstrating her autonomy.
Love and Desire
The bonds of love and friendship drive the characters' decisions, with Hugh's devotion to Birdalone and her love for Arthur.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Birdalone is asked by Hugh to choose a dwelling-place for their fellowship; she expresses her oath to Habundia and proposes Utterhay.
- Hugh the Green Knight
Hugh speaks for the fellowship, offering to follow Birdalone anywhere and agreeing to fetch his children and livelihood from the Green Mountains.
- Viridis
Viridis is mentioned as Hugh's sister and one who will rejoice at the plan to settle in Utterhay.
- Arthur the Black Squire
Arthur is referenced as Birdalone's love and Hugh's brother, who will win honour and lordship in Utterhay.
- Habundia
Habundia is the wood-woman who helped Birdalone and to whom Birdalone swore she would never wholly sunder herself.
Key passages
“All we have been talking together, and I am sent to ask thee what is in thy mind as to abiding here or going elsewhither.”
Hugh tells Birdalone that the fellowship has discussed their future and asks her where she wants to live.
Hugh initiates the conversation about their dwelling-place.
“I have sworn unto her that I would never wholly sunder me from her; and how shall I break mine oath and grieve her, even had I the will thereto, as God wot I have not?”
Birdalone explains that she has sworn an oath to Habundia and cannot break it.
Birdalone reveals her deep bond with Habundia.
“Lo now! how good it is for friends to take counsel together! What better may we do than go with thee thither?”
Hugh joyfully agrees to follow Birdalone to Utterhay.
Hugh affirms his commitment to Birdalone's choice.