# How Ralph Justed with the Aliens explained — The Well at the World’s End

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

## What happens

Ralph participates in a jousting tournament at Utterbol, defeating multiple opponents including Otter, and gains favor with the Lord of Utterbol. He successfully pleads for mercy for the first man he unhorsed, Redhead. Meanwhile, the Lady of Abundance, disguised as the Queen, observes from the pavilion and grows jealous of Joyce, who sat beside the Lord.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Tyranny

The Lord of Utterbol's arbitrary power is shown in his threat to have Redhead used as an archery target and his control over the joust.

### Sacrifice and Loss

Ralph risks his life in the joust and asks for no reward except the pardon of a man, showing selflessness.

### Social Hierarchy and Freedom

Ralph, as a stranger and potential thrall, must navigate the rigid social order of Utterbol, where the Lord's whim determines life and death.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

Ralph jousts and defeats several of the Lord's men, showing skill and courage. He asks for Redhead's pardon as a boon.

### Otter

Otter advises Ralph before the joust and runs three courses with him, nearly being unhorsed in the third.

### The Lord of Utterbol

The Lord presides over the joust, initially threatening Redhead but later granting Ralph's boon to spare him.

### The Lady of Abundance

The Lady watches from her pavilion, disguised as the Queen, and becomes jealous of Joyce's proximity to the Lord.

### Agatha

Agatha reports to the Lady about the joust and Joyce's role, and discusses the Lady's jealousy.

### Redhead

Redhead is the first man Ralph unhorses; Ralph later pleads for his pardon, which is granted.

### Black Anselm

Black Anselm jousts against Ralph and is wounded in the shoulder.

### Dame Joyce

Joyce sits beside the Lord disguised as the Queen, drawing the Lady's jealousy.

## Key lines

> Sooth to say, Joyce being well nigh as tall as the Queen, and as white of skin, was otherwise a far fairer woman.

In truth, Joyce was nearly as tall and pale as the Queen, but in other respects she was much more beautiful.

_Describes Joyce's appearance compared to the Queen._

> If thou be still angry with the carle whom I first unhorsed, I pray thee pardon him his ill-luck.

If you are still angry with the fellow I first knocked off his horse, I ask you to forgive him for his bad luck.

_Ralph's plea for Redhead's pardon._

> When we come home to Utterbol, my lord will see his new thrall again, and will care for Joyce no whit: then will I have my will of her; and she shall learn, she, whether I am verily the least of women at Utterbol!

When we return to Utterbol, my lord will see his new captive again and will no longer care for Joyce; then I will do as I please with her, and she will find out whether I am truly the least important woman at Utterbol!

_The Lady's jealous threat against Joyce._

## Links

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