# XXIV: The Folkmote of the Shepherds explained — The Well at the World’s End

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

## What happens

Ralph is formally elected captain of the Shepherd-folk at their folkmote, swearing brotherhood and taking up the ancient guisarme. The Dry Tree champions, led by Stephen a-Hurst, pledge to fight alongside the Shepherds as friends rather than hirelings. After the mote breaks up, the combined host—numbering 554 men—is arrayed for the road, with Ralph and Ursula marching afoot and Richard scouting ahead.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Hierarchy and Freedom

The folkmote embodies a democratic, brotherly compact: Ralph is elected captain not as a hireling but as a brother, and the Shepherds and Dry Tree champions negotiate their alliance as equals.

### Quest and Adventure

Ralph's acceptance of the captaincy and the mustering of the host mark a decisive step in his quest against the tyrants, uniting diverse folk under his leadership.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

Sworn in as captain and brother of the Shepherd-folk; takes up the ancient guisarme and leads the host afoot.

### Ursula

Walks afoot beside Ralph, refusing to ride, drawing admiring glances with her trim feet.

### Richard the Red

Takes a half score of champions and rides ahead to scout the road.

### Stephen a-Hurst

Speaks for the Dry Tree champions, declaring they will fight as friends, not hirelings.

### Roger

Mentioned among the Dry Tree company (one hundred and fifty champions outtaken Stephen and Roger).

### Giles

Clad in hauberk and mail-coif, helps Ralph appoint leaders of tens and hundreds.

## Key lines

> Ralph of Upmeads, there thou standest, wilt thou help us against the tyrants, as we shall help thee?

Ralph of Upmeads, will you aid us against the oppressors, just as we will aid you?

_The Elder formally proposes the mutual alliance between Ralph and the Shepherds._

> Wilt thou be our Captain as an alien and a hireling, or as a brother?

Will you lead us as a stranger and paid soldier, or as a kinsman?

_The Elder distinguishes between a mercenary relationship and a bond of kinship._

> True it is that we have whiles driven prey in your country, yea, and had some hard knocks therein; but all that was in playing the game of war, and now since we are to fight side by side, we will be paid by our foes and not by our friends; so neither hair nor wool will we have of yours, whatever we may have of the Burgers; and it is like that we shall be good friends of yours henceforward.

It's true we've sometimes raided your lands and taken some blows, but that was just the sport of war. Now that we'll fight together, we'll take our reward from our enemies, not from you. We won't take a single hair or fleece from your flocks, though we may well take from the Burgers; and from now on we'll likely be good friends.

_Stephen a-Hurst acknowledges past conflicts but pledges the Dry Tree will fight as allies without payment from the Shepherds._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiv-the-folkmote-of-the-shepherds
- 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