# Thiodolf — The House of the Wolfings character guide > Thiodolf in The House of the Wolfings by William Morris. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Thiodolf the Wolfing, Thiodolf the War-duke, Thiodolf the Mighty **First appearance:** 0001-the-house-of-the-wolfings ## Who they are War-duke of the Wolfings, a battle-hardened leader whose grief for fallen sons makes him fear for every young warrior he leads toward the Roman host. ## Relationships ### [Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/otter) _friendship_ Otter is a loyal and trusted companion to Thiodolf, often fighting alongside him and sharing counsel. ### [Arinbiorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/arinbiorn) _friendship_ Arinbiorn is a steadfast ally and advisor to Thiodolf, supporting him in war and leadership. ### [Heriulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/heriulf) _friendship_ Heriulf is a seasoned warrior and comrade of Thiodolf, bound by mutual respect and battle-tested loyalty. ### [Geirbald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/geirbald) _friendship_ Geirbald is a close friend and fellow warrior of Thiodolf, often sharing in his exploits and decisions. ### [Elfric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/elfric) _rivalry_ Elfric is a rival and antagonist to Thiodolf, opposing his leadership and creating tension within the tribe. ### [Agni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/agni) _friendship_ Agni is a loyal follower and warrior under Thiodolf, supporting him in conflicts and tribal matters. ### [Wolfkettle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/wolfkettle) _friendship_ Thiodolf and Wolfkettle are kinsmen and allies, with Wolfkettle serving as a trusted warrior in Thiodolf's band. ### [Viglund](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/viglund) _friendship_ Thiodolf and Viglund are fellow warriors and friends, with Viglund often accompanying Thiodolf on campaigns. ### [Hiarandi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/hiarandi) _friendship_ Hiarandi is a loyal friend and warrior to Thiodolf, often fighting at his side and offering counsel. ### [Ivar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/ivar) _rivalry_ Ivar is a hostile figure who opposes Thiodolf, creating conflict and tension through his antagonistic actions. ### [Asbiorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/asbiorn) _friendship_ Asbiorn is a loyal warrior and friend to Thiodolf, supporting him in battle and tribal affairs. ### [Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/otter) _friendship_ Otter is a loyal and trusted companion to Thiodolf, often fighting alongside him and sharing counsel. ## 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) The war-duke of the Wolfings, central to the chapter's call to arms and leadership. ### [II: The Flitting of the War-Arrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/ii-the-flitting-of-the-war-arrow) The dark-haired chief of the Wolfings, deemed wisest and most dauntless; he receives the war-token, blows the war-horn, and commands the hosting. ### [III: Thiodolf Talketh with the Wood-Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/iii-thiodolf-talketh-with-the-wood-sun) The War-duke of the Wolfings, he leaves the hall under moonlight to meet the Wood-Sun in the forest, wrestling with the decision to accept the dwarf-wrought hauberk. ### [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) Returns to the habitations, takes up his shield and spear, blows the War-horn from the Hill of Speech, and leads the departure. ### [VII: They Gather to the Folk-Mote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/vii-they-gather-to-the-folk-mote) Stands unhelmed in the dwarf-wrought hauberk, having sworn to fight without helm or shield; described as a fell warrior, blithe of speech, and beloved by all. ### [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) Chosen as War-duke by the Folk-Mote; accepts the dwarf-wrought ring and hauberk, and speaks on the hill. ### [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 War-duke is greeted by the ancient Asmund, who speaks cryptic words over him; Thiodolf hides his troubled heart and moves cheerfully among the host. ### [XII: Tidings of the Battle in Mirkwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xii-tidings-of-the-battle-in-mirkwood) Thiodolf leads the war-band into Mirkwood, unhelmed and bearing no shield, wielding Throng-plough; he springs upon the Roman captain in the ambush. ### [XIII: The Hall-Sun Saith Another Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xiii-the-hall-sun-saith-another-word) Referenced in the Hall-Sun's vision as the War-duke shaking Throng-plough and standing unhelmed before the alien host. ### [XIV: The Hall-Sun Is Careful Concerning the Passes of the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xiv-the-hall-sun-is-careful-concerning-the-passes-of-the-wood) Sends a messenger with instructions to watch the entrance to Mid-mark by the Bearing dwelling. ### [They Hear Tell of the Battle on the Ridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xv-they-hear-tell-of-the-battle-on-the-ridge) Leads the wedge-array and commands the battle, holding Throng-plough. ### [XVII: The Wood-Sun Speaketh with Thiodolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xvii-the-wood-sun-speaketh-with-thiodolf) Thiodolf seeks solitude after the battle, falls asleep, and is confronted by the Wood-Sun. He swears oaths to fight for the Wolfings and to love her, then dons the hauberk and returns to the folk. ### [Tidings Brought to the Wain-Burg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xviii-tidings-brought-to-the-wain-burg) War-duke; mentioned as the intended recipient of Otter's message ordering him to defend Wolf-stead. ### [XIX: Those Messengers Come to Thiodolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xix-those-messengers-come-to-thiodolf) War-duke of the Wolfings; receives the messengers and rallies the host, speaking of the need to strike again and of visions of victory and the enduring kin. ### [XX: Otter and His Folk Come Into Mid-Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xx-otter-and-his-folk-come-into-mid-mark) Mentioned by Otter as being in risk of undoing if they do not fight wisely. ### [XXI: They Bicker About the Ford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxi-they-bicker-about-the-ford) Mentioned as not yet arrived; Otter expects him within six hours and will wait to join forces before a full assault. ### [XXII: Otter Falls on Against His Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxii-otter-falls-on-against-his-will) The War-duke, expected to arrive within an hour; his absence fuels the debate over whether to wait or attack. ### [Thiodolf Meeteth the Romans in the Wolfing Meadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxiii-thiodolf-meeteth-the-romans-in-the-wolfing-meadow) Leads the footmen across the ford, falls into a trance before the battle, awakens and rejoins the fight without the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk. ### [The Goths Are Overthrown by the Romans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxiv-the-goths-are-overthrown-by-the-romans) Returns to battle but is ensnared by the hauberk's curse, falling into a dreamlike stupor; he collapses and is carried from the field. ### [The Host of the Markmen Cometh Into the Wild-Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxv-the-host-of-the-markmen-cometh-into-the-wild-wood) Sits gloomy and silent, swordless, after the battle; speaks painfully and slowly, deferring to Arinbiorn to address the host. ### [XXVI: Thiodolf Talketh with the Wood-Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxvi-thiodolf-talketh-with-the-wood-sun) Thiodolf is led by the Hall-Sun to the wood-lawn, speaks with the Wood-Sun about love and fate, and resolves to cast off the Dwarf-wrought Hauberk, embracing his mortality and kinship with the people. ### [XXVII: They Wend to the Morning Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxvii-they-wend-to-the-morning-battle) Returns to camp, arms himself with Ivar's gear, breaks his oath to the Gods, orders the battle formation, and shares a farewell with the Hall-Sun. ### [Of the Storm of Dawning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxviii-of-the-storm-of-dawning) Leads the Wolfings in the dawn attack, orders the half-moon formation, and mourns Arinbiorn's fall. ### [Of Thiodolf's Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxi-of-thiodolf-s-storm) Enters the burning hall, frees the captives, sits in his high seat, and dies from his wounds. ### [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) Lies dead on the dais, later laid on a bier of spears and borne out of the hall. ### [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) Lain in state as a War-duke; his body is placed in the High-seat during the feast, and he is buried with Throng-plough in a great howe, where legend says he sleeps awaiting the Mark's need. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/characters/thiodolf - 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