# Tribal Identity and Kinship in The House of the Wolfings

> Theme guide for The House of the Wolfings by William Morris.

The narrative centers on the Wolfings and other Markmen tribes, emphasizing their deep bonds of kinship, shared ancestry, and collective identity as a 'House' or 'Folk' that defines their values, laws, and loyalty in opposition to the Roman invaders.

## Where it surfaces

- [The House of the Wolfings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/the-house-of-the-wolfings): The Wolfings are defined by their kinship ties and loyalty to the tribe, as seen in their response to the war-arrow.
- [The Dwellings of Mid-Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/i-the-dwellings-of-mid-mark): The chapter details the kinship structure of the Markmen, the Wolfing House, and the laws of exogamy that define their social order.
- [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 Wolfings gather as a kindred under the Roof, and the war-arrow unites them with neighboring tribes like the Elkings and Hartings.
- [V: Concerning the Hall-Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/v-concerning-the-hall-sun): The Hall-Sun's discussion of her origins—being a foundling from the wildwood and fostered by the Wolfings—underscores the theme of tribal identity and kinship. Despite not being of the blood, she is fully accepted as the Hall-Sun and a symbol of the Wolfings' unity and strength.
- [They Talk on the Way to the Folk-Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/vi-they-talk-on-the-way-to-the-folk-thing): The mingling of the Wolfings, Beamings, and Elkings on the march highlights the bonds of kindred and shared ancestry, with tales of the Elkings' origin from the Wolfings.
- [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): The gathering of kindreds (Wolfings, Elkings, Beamings, Daylings) and the recitation of tribal history reinforce the bonds of kinship and tribal identity.
- [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): The gathering of kindreds (Shieldings, Laxings, Bearings, etc.) and the loyalty to the Wolfing dwelling highlight the centrality of tribal bonds.
- [XIX: Those Messengers Come to Thiodolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xix-those-messengers-come-to-thiodolf): The loyalty of Geirbald, Viglund, and Asbiorn to their Houses and the coordination between kindreds (Wolfings, Bearings, Elkings) highlight the centrality of kinship bonds in war.
- [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): The host gathers kindred from various Houses, and the swains and maid swim the river to join their kin, emphasizing tribal bonds.
- [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): The kindreds (Wolfings, Bearings, Elkings, etc.) unite under their tribal banners, and the defense of their homes and way of life is paramount.
- [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 affirms his bond with the Wolfings and all kindreds, declaring 'they are mine and I am theirs' and choosing to die as a man of the folk.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/themes/tribal_identity_and_kinship
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/themes