# Asmund the Old — The House of the Wolfings character guide

> Asmund the Old in The House of the Wolfings by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Asmund, old Asmund

**First appearance:** 0009-viii-the-folk-mote-of-the-markmen

## Snapshot

Aged Dayling chieftain whose voice carries the weight of the Mark's grief and memory when the Folk-Mote gathers to reckon with war.

## Who they are

Asmund the Old stands among the Dayling warriors at the ring of men, a leader whose long years have made him the natural keeper of his people's sorrows and ceremonies. When the Folk-Mote is hallowed and the tale of the burning meadows must be told, it is his voice that rises first to summon the kindreds to hearken. His authority rests not on the sword but on the solemn duty of naming what has been lost and what must now be answered.

## In the story

### [The House of the Wolfings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/the-house-of-the-wolfings)

An elder who speaks of past wars and the traditions of the Mark.

### [IV: The House Fareth to the War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/iv-the-house-fareth-to-the-war)

Mentioned among the warriors; present in the throng gathered at the Hill of Speech.

### [VIII: The Folk-Mote of the Markmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/viii-the-folk-mote-of-the-markmen)

Mentioned as the old Dayling who blows the horn to silence the assembly.

### [IX: The Ancient Man of the Daylings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/ix-the-ancient-man-of-the-daylings)

The ancient carle of the Daylings, known for his foresight, speaks ominously to Thiodolf, touching his head and hauberk, and prophesying sorrow.

### [How the Dwarf-Wrought Hauberk Was Brought Away from the Hall of the Daylings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xvi-how-the-dwarf-wrought-hauberk-was-brought-away-from-the-hall-of-the-daylings)

Witnesses the departure of the false Thorkettle and is heavyhearted, foreseeing that the Gods are devising ill for the kindreds.

### [XXX: Thiodolf Is Borne Out of the Hall and Otter Is Laid Beside Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxx-thiodolf-is-borne-out-of-the-hall-and-otter-is-laid-beside-him)

Old warrior of the Daylings, arrives late on horseback; enters the ring to speak the latest word over the War-dukes.

### [XXXI: Old Asmund Speaketh Over the War-Dukes: The Dead Are Laid in Mound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxxi-old-asmund-speaketh-over-the-war-dukes-the-dead-are-laid-in-mound)

Delivers a heartfelt speech over Otter and a prophetic song over Thiodolf, weeping openly at the loss of his battle-fellow and the War-duke; his words stir the assembly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/asmund
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters