# Bow-may — The Roots of the Mountains character guide > Bow-may in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bow - may, Bow, Sister Bow - may, Sister **First appearance:** 0001-the-roots-of-the-mountains ## Snapshot Bow-may is a sure-shot archer of the Wood-father's children, quick to laugh and quicker to read the hearts of those around her. ## Who they are Bow-may is a hunter of the mountain folk, appointed with Wood-wise as companion on the road, and known as a bowman surer than most. She watches the betrothal of Gold-mane and the Sun-beam with a laugh that flushes her tan cheeks, then turns away to the milking and the children. Her frank, warm presence grounds the mountain folk in ordinary life even as their alliance with the Dalesmen takes shape. ## In the story ### [Of Face-of-God and Those Mountain-Dwellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vi-of-face-of-god-and-those-mountain-dwellers) A huntress who brings in game and speaks with Face-of-god; she is the daughter of Wild-wearer's brother. ### [VII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-on-the-mountain) Mentioned as having left with the Wood-mother before dawn. ### [XIV: Concerning Face-of-God and the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xiv-concerning-face-of-god-and-the-mountain) Bow-may finds Face-of-god on the snow, playfully shoots three arrows near him, delivers the Friend's message about the token, and kisses him farewell. ### [XIX: The Fair Woman Telleth Face-of-God of Her Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xix-the-fair-woman-telleth-face-of-god-of-her-kindred) Referenced by the Friend as an example of the hardy women of the kindred, and as having told of Face-of-god's earlier rest in a wood-lawn. ### [XX: Those Two Together Hold the Ring of the Earth-God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xx-those-two-together-hold-the-ring-of-the-earth-god) Sings a duet with Wood-wont during the feast, contributing to the evening's entertainment. ### [Face-of-God Looketh on the Dusky Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxi-face-of-god-looketh-on-the-dusky-men) Clad in war-gear, escorts Face-of-god, spots the ambush, looses a shaft, and cries a warning. ### [XXII: Face-of-God Cometh Home to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxii-face-of-god-cometh-home-to-burgstead) Travels with Face-of-god and Wood-wise; expresses desire to dwell in Burgdale; is invited to stay at Iron-face's house. ### [The Alderman Gives Gifts to Them of Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-alderman-gives-gifts-to-them-of-shadowy-vale) Receives a hauberk from Iron-face, praised by Face-of-god for saving his life. ### [Of the Hosting in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xl-of-the-hosting-in-shadowy-vale) Serves the Woodlanders at the feast alongside Sun-beam and other women of the Vale. ### [The Host Departeth from Shadowy Vale: The First Day’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xli-the-host-departeth-from-shadowy-vale-the-first-day-s-journey) Accompanies Sun-beam, sings a song during the march, clad in the Alderman’s gift. ### [XLIII: Face-of-God Looketh on Silverdale: The Bowmen’s Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliii-face-of-god-looketh-on-silverdale-the-bowmen-s-battle) Sleeps beside Sun-beam, wakes alert, and later leads the archery attack on the Dusky Men's priests. ### [XLIV: Of the Onslaught of the Men of the Steer, the Bridge, and the Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-onslaught-of-the-men-of-the-steer-the-bridge-and-the-bull) Stands on a mound shooting at notable targets, nearly slain thrice but saved by the Alderman's hammer-work. ### [XLV: Of Face-of-God’s Onslaught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlv-of-face-of-god-s-onslaught) Fights alongside Face-of-god, shoots down a Dusky Chief, and exchanges a kiss with him amid the battle. ### [Men Meet in the Market of Silverstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlvi-men-meet-in-the-market-of-silverstead) Fights alongside Face-of-god, calm and deft despite her wounds. ### [Of the Word Which Hall-Ward of the Steer Had for Folk-Might](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liii-of-the-word-which-hall-ward-of-the-steer-had-for-folk-might) Leads Hall-ward to the meeting; helps him across the stream; later chosen by the Sun-beam to accompany her. ### [Talk Upon the Wildwood Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lvi-talk-upon-the-wildwood-way) Walks barefoot with bow and arrows, bearing a sword, accompanying the Sun-beam and Face-of-god. ### [LIX: The Behest of Face-of-God to the Bride Accomplished: A Motestead Appointed for the Three Folks, to Wit, the Men of Burgdale, the Shepherds, and the Children of the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lix-the-behest-of-face-of-god-to-the-bride-accomplished-a-motestead-appointed-for-the-three-folks-to-wit-the-men-of-burgdale-the-shepherds-and-the-children-of-the-wolf) Arrives in Silverstead with Face-of-god's second son, delivers messages, stays for half-month, then travels to Shadowy Vale. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters/bow_may - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters