# IV: Of the Slaying of Friend and Foe explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

The champions ambush the Red Knight in a woodland clearing, but in the sudden attack Sir Baudoin is slain. Birdalone, found tethered and bearing a severed head, recounts her capture and rescue by Sir Thomas of Estcliffe, who was then killed by his master. The group mourns Baudoin, buries the head, and rides for the Castle of the Quest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone is a pawn in the conflict, tethered and displayed with a severed head, yet she speaks for herself and takes blame for the tragedy.

### Love and Desire

Hugh's gentle comfort and Arthur's stern grief reflect the bonds of friendship and romantic attachment among the champions and Birdalone.

### Journey and Quest

The ambush and subsequent ride to the Castle of the Quest advance the central quest to rescue Birdalone and confront the Red Knight.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Found tethered to the Red Knight's horse, bearing the head of Sir Thomas of Estcliffe; she is anguished and blames herself for Baudoin's death.

### Arthur the Black Squire

Leads the ambush, cuts Birdalone loose, and remains dry-eyed but grief-stricken over Baudoin's death.

### Hugh the Green Knight

Comforts Birdalone after the battle, helps bury the head, and weeps over Baudoin.

### Sir Baudoin

Slain by the Red Knight's axe stroke; his body is bound to a horse for the return journey.

### The Red Knight

Killed in the ambush; had captured Birdalone and slain Sir Thomas of Estcliffe.

### Thomas of Estcliffe

His severed head is hung around Birdalone's neck; he was the Red Knight's captain and had tried to rescue her.

## Key lines

> But she brake out weeping afresh, and said: O no, no! it is but woe and weariness I have brought unto my friends; and to myself woe and weariness yet more.

Birdalone wept and insisted she had only brought sorrow and exhaustion to her friends and herself.

_Birdalone expresses guilt and despair after Baudoin's death._

> So swift and sudden had they been, that he had no time either to spur or even to draw his sword; but he had a heavy steel axe in his hand as the first man came up to him, which was the tall Baudoin; and therewith he smote down on Baudoin so fierce and huge a stroke, that came on him betwixt neck and shoulder, that all gave way before it, and the Golden Knight fell to earth all carven and stark dead.

The champions attacked so quickly that the Red Knight could only swing his axe, killing Baudoin with a single massive blow to the neck and shoulder.

_The sudden ambush results in Baudoin's instant death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-the-slaying-of-friend-and-foe
- 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