# III: They Come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone Meets with the Poor-Wife explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles > Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris. ## What happens Birdalone and her company arrive at the City of the Five Crafts, where she is amazed by its size and bustle. Gerard helps her find the embroiderers' guild, and she meets Master Jacobus, who admires her needlework and arranges for her to join the guild. He introduces her to a poor, worn woman skilled in embroidery, who reveals she is from Utterhay. Birdalone feels a strange connection to the woman, who becomes emotional at her kindness, and Birdalone vows never to leave her, while secretly longing for the Black Squire. ## Themes in this chapter ### Female Agency and Autonomy Birdalone takes initiative in her new life, joining the guild, managing her work, and forming a bond with the poor-wife, asserting her independence. ### Class and Servitude The poor-wife's worn appearance and meekness reflect her history of hardship and oppression, contrasting with Birdalone's rising status. ## Character check-ins ### Birdalone Arrives at the City of the Five Crafts, joins the broiderers' guild, and meets the poor-wife, feeling a deep bond with her. ### Gerard of the Clee Guides Birdalone to the city and helps her find the embroiderers' guild and market. ### Master Jacobus Master of the broiderers' guild, admires Birdalone's work, arranges her guild membership, and introduces her to the poor-wife. ### The Broiderers The guild of embroiderers in the city, which Birdalone joins. ### Arthur the Black Squire Birdalone secretly longs for him to find her, though he does not appear in this chapter. ## Key lines > They made not so much way that they came to the Five Crafts on the fourth day, but lay under the bare heavens in a dale below the big swell of the downland, whereof Gerard spake. They did not travel fast enough to reach the Five Crafts by the fourth day, so they camped overnight in a valley beneath the open sky. _Describes the journey's pace and the overnight camp._ > Then Birdalone cried aloud with joy to see the lovely land before her, and the white walls and the towers of the great city, whereas Greenford was but small beside it. Birdalone shouted with joy at the sight of the beautiful landscape and the large city with its white walls and towers, which dwarfed Greenford. _Birdalone's reaction to the city's grandeur._ > So they rode down into the frank, and entered the gates of the city a little after noon, and again was Birdalone in all amaze at the going to and fro in the streets and the thronging of the markets, and the divers folk, as chapmen and men-at-arms, and craftsmen and lords, who used the said city; They rode down into the open country and entered the city gates shortly after noon. Birdalone was again astonished by the bustling streets, crowded markets, and the variety of people—merchants, soldiers, craftsmen, and nobles—who frequented the city. _Describes the lively urban scene._ > But betimes in the morning Birdalone arose and stirred up her men, and they gat to horse, and rode the hill before them till they came on to the crest thereof. Early in the morning, Birdalone got up and roused her men; they mounted their horses and rode up the hill until they reached the top. _Shows Birdalone's leadership and determination._ > And she sent forth Gerard and his sons to find out where was the market for such goods, and if she would have leave to sell the same therein, or anywhere in the town; She sent Gerard and his sons to discover where such goods were sold and whether she had permission to sell them in the market or elsewhere in town. _Birdalone's practical approach to selling her work._ > So the very next day went Birdalone thither, and found the master a well-looked tall man of some five-and-forty winters, who looked on her from the first as if he deemed it were no ill way of wearing the time. The very next day, Birdalone went there and found the master, a handsome tall man about forty-five years old, who looked at her as if he thought it was a pleasant way to spend his time. _Introduction of Master Jacobus and his initial interest in Birdalone._ > Damsel, here is what will be sought for at a great price by the great lords and ladies of the land, and the rich burgesses, and especially by the high prelates; and so much of it as thou hast a mind to do is so much coined gold unto thee; Young lady, this work will be highly sought after by nobles, wealthy citizens, and especially high church officials; as much as you are willing to produce will be like minted gold to you. _Master Jacobus praises Birdalone's embroidery and its value._ > But as diligent as thou mayst be, thou hast but one pair of hands, wonderful soothly, and yet but one pair. However diligent you are, you only have one pair of hands—truly wonderful, but still only one pair. _He notes the limitation of her solo work._ > Moreover I must tell thee, that though I know for sure how that no woman in the world may work such needlework as thine, yet whiles there cometh hither a woman of middle age, a woman worn by troubles, pious, meek, and kind; and by St. Lucia! now I look on thee again, she might be somewhat like unto thee, were she young and fresh-looking and strong as thou art. Moreover, I must tell you that although I am certain no other woman can do needlework like yours, occasionally a middle-aged woman comes here—worn by troubles, pious, meek, and kind. By St. Lucia! Now that I look at you again, she might resemble you if you were young, fresh, and strong. _Master Jacobus describes the poor-wife and her resemblance to Birdalone._ > Now this woman I say, and thereat I marvel, doeth needlework that is somewhat after the manner of thine, and which seemed to us excellent till I had seen thine. This woman, I say—and I marvel at it—does needlework somewhat similar to yours, which we thought excellent until we saw yours. _The poor-wife's skill is noted, though inferior to Birdalone's._ > Birdalone clipped and kissed her, and said: I love thee dearly, and never, never shall I leave thee. Birdalone hugged and kissed her, saying, 'I love you dearly, and I will never, ever leave you.' _Birdalone's emotional vow to the poor-wife._ > Then they stood up, and the mother took Birdalone by the shoulders, and held her a little aloof, and devoured her with her eyes; and she said: Yea, thou hast grown tall, and belike wilt grow no taller: and how fair and lovely thou hast grown; and thou that wert born in a poor man’s house! no wonder that any should covet thee. Then they stood up, and the mother took Birdalone by the shoulders, held her at arm's length, and gazed at her intently. She said, 'Yes, you have grown tall and likely will not grow taller; how fair and lovely you have become—you who were born in a poor man's house! No wonder anyone would desire you.' _The poor-wife marvels at Birdalone's beauty and growth._ > And as for Birdalone, she was as glad of her mother as might be; and yet in her heart she wondered if perchance one of the fellowship might stray that way, and be partaker in her joy of this newfound dear friend; and she said, might it be Viridis; but in her inmost heart, though she told it not to herself, she longed that the Black Squire might find her out at last. As for Birdalone, she was as happy as could be with her mother; yet in her heart she wondered if perhaps one of the fellowship might come that way and share in her joy over this new dear friend. She thought it might be Viridis, but deep down, though she did not admit it to herself, she longed for the Black Squire to find her at last. _Birdalone's secret longing for the Black Squire amidst her joy._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-they-come-to-the-city-of-the-five-crafts-and-birdalone-meets-with-the-poor-wife - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters