# How the Champions Would Do Birdalone to Be Clad Anew in the Castle of the Quest explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

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

## What happens

Birdalone tells the Champions that her errand is to guide them to the Isle of Increase Unsought to rescue their speech-friends. She explains the Sending Boat and how she used it to escape. The Champions believe her and wish to depart immediately, but the Black Squire insists they first provide Birdalone with proper raiment, as the castle has no women's clothing. They send messengers to a nearby town for seamstresses and materials, and each Champion gives her a jeweled gift. The castle becomes merry with the arrival of the work-women.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone takes control of her narrative, directing the Champions on how to proceed with the Quest, and asserts her own will regarding the timing of her arrayal.

### Journey and Quest

The chapter advances the central quest as Birdalone reveals the means to reach the Isle of Increase Unsought, and the Champions prepare for departure.

### Love and Desire

The Champions' eagerness to rescue their speech-friends and their affectionate gestures toward Birdalone highlight themes of love and longing.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Reveals her errand to the Champions, explains the Sending Boat, and accepts their gifts and plans for her arrayal.

### Sir Baudoin

The Golden Knight speaks first, explaining the Champions' failed attempts at the Quest and expressing belief in Birdalone's tale.

### Arthur the Black Squire

Insists on delaying departure to procure proper clothing for Birdalone, and gives her a golden girdle.

### Hugh the Green Knight

Wishes to hear more of Birdalone's tale, caresses her hand, and gives her a great gold ring which he kisses on her bare arm.

## Key lines

> Lords, she said, now is it clear by the tokens that mine errand is to you and none other; now therefore am I to tell you what to do to come unto your speech-friends and deliver them and bring them back hither.

Birdalone declares that the tokens prove she was sent specifically to the Champions, and she will now instruct them on how to rescue their loved ones.

_Birdalone asserts her purpose and authority in guiding the Champions._

> See ye then, fellows, said the Black Squire, it may not be today nor yet tomorrow that we may take the road. For ye wot that there is no woman's gear in all the castle, and we must needs send otherwhere to seek it.

The Black Squire points out that they cannot leave immediately because the castle lacks women's clothing, so they must send for suitable garments elsewhere.

_Arthur insists on proper attire for Birdalone before departure._

> Well pleased were they with that word of hers, but none the less sent two sergeants and a squire with led horses unto the cheaping-town, a goodly and great town hight Greenford, which was some twenty miles thence, with the errand to bring back with them a good shaper and embroideress, and sewing-women, and cloth and silk and linen, and all things needful.

Though delighted by Birdalone's words, the Champions still dispatch servants to the town of Greenford to fetch a tailor, embroideress, seamstresses, and fine fabrics.

_The Champions take practical steps to outfit Birdalone properly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-how-the-champions-would-do-birdalone-to-be-clad-anew-in-the-castle-of-the-quest
- 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