# The Sundering of the Ways explained — The Well at the World’s End

> Chapter companion for The Well at the World’s End by William Morris.

## What happens

King Peter of Upmeads, weary of his four sons' pleas for adventure, decides to let fate decide their paths. He has them draw straws: Blaise goes east, Hugh north, Gregory west, and Ralph, drawing the shortest, must stay home. Each son is assigned a squire, and after farewells, the three eldest depart, leaving Ralph behind with his father.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Wandering

The central conflict of the chapter: the sons' longing to leave their strait homeland versus the duty to stay and cherish aging parents.

### Quest and Adventure

The sons' desire for a wider land and more stirring life drives the plot, as they set out on different roads into the unknown.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

The youngest son, aged twenty-one, who draws the shortest straw and must remain at home instead of embarking on adventure.

### King Peter

The aging ruler of Upmeads who devises the drawing of cuts to decide his sons' fates, showing both kindness and a desire to keep Ralph near.

### Blaise

The eldest son, described as wise and prudent, who draws the straw sending him eastward with squire Richard the Red.

### Hugh

The second son, a stout rider but headstrong, who draws the straw sending him north with squire Lancelot Longtongue.

### Richard the Red

The squire assigned to Blaise, described as somewhat stricken in years, wise, fierce, and doughty in arms.

### Nicholas Longshanks

The squire assigned to Ralph, a lettered and far-travelled man who loves the house of Upmeads.

## Key lines

> Long ago there was a little land, over which ruled a regulus or kinglet, who was called King Peter, though his kingdom was but little.

Once there was a small country ruled by a minor king named Peter, whose territory was very small.

_Establishes the modest scale of the kingdom and the king's humble title._

> But I have bethought me, that, since I am growing old and past the age of getting children, one of you, my sons, must abide at home to cherish me and your mother, and to lead our carles in war if trouble falleth upon us.

I have decided that, because I am old and cannot have more children, one of you must stay home to care for your mother and me and to lead our men in battle if needed.

_King Peter explains the necessity of keeping one son at home, setting up the drawing of cuts._

> As for thee, Ralph my dear son, thou shalt back with me and abide in my house and I shall see thee day by day; and thou shalt help me to live my last years happily in all honour; and thy love shall be my hope, and thy valiancy my stay.

As for you, Ralph my beloved son, you will return with me and live in my house, and I will see you every day; you will help me spend my final years happily and honorably, and your love will be my hope, your courage my support.

_King Peter's tender plea to Ralph, revealing his desire for companionship in old age._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/i-the-sundering-of-the-ways
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters