# Iron-face — The Roots of the Mountains character guide

> Iron-face in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Iron - face, the Alderman, Alderman, Iron - shield

**First appearance:** 0001-the-roots-of-the-mountains

## Snapshot

Iron-face is the Alderman of Burgdale, a merry lord who keeps the holy peace of Yule and laughs when his son cries out another woman's name.

## Who they are

Iron-face is the Alderman of Burgdale and father to Face-of-god, a leader whose cheerful Yuletide customs include welcoming armed strangers to the hall. When his son starts up at the Bride's masked entrance and shouts of the Friend, Iron-face claps him on the shoulder and laughs, naming the Bride his old playmate. His easy authority and festive hospitality set the tone of Burgdale's communal life, against which his son's private turmoil plays out.

## In the story

### [The Roots of the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/the-roots-of-the-mountains)

Mentioned as the Alderman, a leader in Burgdale.

### [Of Burgstead and Its Folk and Its Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/i-of-burgstead-and-its-folk-and-its-neighbours)

Referred to as the Alderman, a leader in Burgstead.

### [Of Face-of-God and His Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/ii-of-face-of-god-and-his-kindred)

Father of Face-of-god and Hall-face, the Alderman of the Dalesmen, a master weapon-smith and master of the House of the Face.

### [They Talk of Divers Matters in the Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/iii-they-talk-of-divers-matters-in-the-hall)

The Alderman; teases his son but offers him the chance to travel west to the cities.

### [IV: Face-of-God Fareth to the Wood Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/iv-face-of-god-fareth-to-the-wood-again)

The Alderman, mentioned in Face-of-god's thoughts about his House and father.

### [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)

Not directly present, but Face-of-god's thoughts of Burgdale and the Alderman are implied.

### [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)

Face-of-god's father, the Alderman, mentioned as a skilled wright.

### [Face-of-God Cometh Home Again to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/viii-face-of-god-cometh-home-again-to-burgstead)

Greets his son and questions him about traveling with the Westland merchants; is told Face-of-god will stay in the Dale.

### [XI: Men Make Oath at Burgstead on the Holy Boar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xi-men-make-oath-at-burgstead-on-the-holy-boar)

The Alderman; merry and jovial at the feast; reveals the Bride's entrance as a Yule custom; swears three oaths on the Holy Boar.

### [They Fare to the Hunting of the Elk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xiii-they-fare-to-the-hunting-of-the-elk)

The Alderman greets the men kindly at the start of the day and participates in the feast afterward.

### [XVII: The Token Cometh from the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xvii-the-token-cometh-from-the-mountain)

Mentions the Bride to Face-of-god, teasing him as a sluggish groom.

### [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)

Mentioned as Face-of-god's father, who is trusted by all and whose oath is good even without swearing.

### [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)

Alderman of Burgstead; listens to Face-of-god's tidings and Hall-face's report; involved in the decision to prepare for war.

### [Talk in the Hall of the House of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiii-talk-in-the-hall-of-the-house-of-the-face)

Sits on the dais with a cheerful countenance; welcomes Face-of-god and suggests a Gate-thing for the next day.

### [XXIV: Face-of-God Giveth That Token to the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiv-face-of-god-giveth-that-token-to-the-bride)

Mentioned as the Alderman who bid the Bride sleep in the House of the Face.

### [Of the Gate-Thing at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxv-of-the-gate-thing-at-burgstead)

The Alderman who convenes and presides over the Gate-thing, questioning his sons and the witnesses.

### [The Ending of the Gate-Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ending-of-the-gate-thing)

Becomes enraged, draws his sword on his son, but is restrained and later calmed.

### [XXIX: They Bring the Runaways to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxix-they-bring-the-runaways-to-burgstead)

As Alderman, welcomes the guests and drinks to Face-of-god's luck, setting aside his earlier wrath.

### [Hall-Face Goeth Toward Rosedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxx-hall-face-goeth-toward-rosedale)

Gives Dallach a new sword named Thicket-clearer.

### [XXXII: The Men of Shadowy Vale Come to the Spring Market at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxii-the-men-of-shadowy-vale-come-to-the-spring-market-at-burgstead)

Sits with the elders and the merchant chief, speaking gravely and proudly of the Dalesmen's nature.

### [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)

The Alderman, conflicted between duty and grief, gives gifts to the guests and speaks softly to Sun-beam about his pain.

### [XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-chieftains-take-counsel-in-the-hall-of-the-face)

Alderman of Burgdale; tests his son's resolve and supports the unified attack after hearing the arguments.

### [Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-the-folk-mote-of-the-dalesmen-the-shepherd-folk-and-the-woodland-carles-the-banner-of-the-wolf-displayed)

The Alderman, sits amidmost, his face pleased and proud yet shadowed with compassion.

### [Of the Great Folk-Mote: Atonements Given, and Men Made Sackless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-great-folk-mote-atonements-given-and-men-made-sackless)

The Alderman who hallows the Folk-mote and pays a double fine for drawing a sword at the Gate-thing.

### [Of the Great Folk-Mote: Men Take Rede of the War-Faring, the Fellowship, and the War-Leader. Folk-Might Telleth Whence His People Came. The Folk-Mote Sundered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-great-folk-mote-men-take-rede-of-the-war-faring-the-fellowship-and-the-war-leader-folk-might-telleth-whence-his-people-came-the-folk-mote-sundered)

The Alderman who calls the Folk-mote to decide on war, fellowship, and leadership.

### [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)

Goes as a simple man-at-arms with his House in the rearward.

### [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)

Referenced as the Alderman; his hammer-work protects Bow-may during the battle.

### [Men Sing in the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlviii-men-sing-in-the-mote-house)

Sends word via a messenger that the Bride will live.

### [Folk-Might Seeth the Bride and Speaketh with Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/l-folk-might-seeth-the-bride-and-speaketh-with-her)

Serves as witness to the troth-plight and gives the holy ring.

### [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)

Sits with the chieftains; speaks of the loss of the Bride and questions Face-of-god about his oath.

### [LV: Departure from Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lv-departure-from-silverdale)

Stands beside the Bride, summons Face-of-god to her, and is sad and sober at the departure.

### [How the Maiden Ward Was Held in Burgdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lviii-how-the-maiden-ward-was-held-in-burgdale)

Speaks unheard amidst the clamor, asking how it fares with his darling and daughter who dwells amongst strangers.

### [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)

Meets the others at Shadowy Vale, rejoices in seeing the Bride again.

## Links

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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters