# The Bride — The Roots of the Mountains character guide

> The Bride in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Bride

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

## Snapshot

The Bride is Face-of-god's beautiful, kind betrothed, whose Yule appearance with the Holy Boar binds her fate to his divided heart.

## Who they are

The Bride is Face-of-god's old playmate and pledged bride, beloved in Burgdale for her beauty and worthiness. At the Yule feast she steps forth in gold and fine web, bearing the sword beside the Holy Boar, only to find her betrothed crying out another woman's name. Her patient claim on him collides with his secret oath to the Mountain Woman, making her the quiet center of the story's early conflict between duty and longing.

## In the story

### [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)

Betrothed of Face-of-god, a fair and strong woman of the kindred, described as hardy, skilled, and compassionate.

### [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)

Kisses Face-of-god and sits by him; she grows anxious as he speaks of his wandering desires.

### [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)

Face-of-god's betrothed, who appears in his thoughts and memories as he walks.

### [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 by the Friend; Face-of-god speaks of her beauty and his betrothal, though his heart is troubled.

### [Those Brethren Fare to the Yew-Wood with the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/ix-those-brethren-fare-to-the-yew-wood-with-the-bride)

Joins the brethren to the Yew-wood, kisses Face-of-god, works with the axe, sings a lay, and is happy in their company.

### [New Tidings in the Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/x-new-tidings-in-the-dale)

Notices Gold-mane's changed behavior and feels sorrow at his distance.

### [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)

Enters the hall in glistering raiment, bearing a sword; sits between Face-of-god and Stone-face; notes Face-of-god's changed eyes and voice with unease.

### [Stone-Face Telleth Concerning the Wood-Wights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xii-stone-face-telleth-concerning-the-wood-wights)

Mentioned in Stone-face's tale as wearing raiment like the Bride's, and referenced in Gold-mane's thoughts about his oath and the kindred.

### [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)

Face-of-god thinks of the Bride and their childhood bond, feeling sorrow that his actions are making things dreary for her.

### [XV: Murder Amongst the Folk of the Woodlanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xv-murder-amongst-the-folk-of-the-woodlanders)

Remains sad and misdoubting, but dauntless; she forces herself not to look sad or craving when in Face-of-god's company, though she lacks heart to ask him about his autumn adventures.

### [XVI: The Bride Speaketh with Face-of-God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xvi-the-bride-speaketh-with-face-of-god)

She approaches Face-of-god barefoot, asks for a token and the gift of his second son, then departs in anguish, unable to kiss him.

### [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 as one whose kindred might oppose the wedding of Face-of-god and the Friend.

### [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)

Mentioned by Sun-beam as the one she has supplanted, highlighting the emotional tension.

### [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 beside Iron-face, daintily clad; kisses Face-of-god but is pale with anguish, struggling with her grief and the impending battle.

### [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)

Receives the ring and hears the message. She weeps openly, forbids Face-of-god from taking blame, and declares she will announce the sundering herself.

### [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)

Publicly breaks her troth with Face-of-god, declaring she will fight as a warrior-maiden.

### [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)

Mentioned at the Gate as the procession arrives.

### [Of the Weapon-Show of the Men of Burgdale and Their Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxi-of-the-weapon-show-of-the-men-of-burgdale-and-their-neighbours)

Follows Hall-ward of the Steer, going as if she were his son.

### [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)

In maiden's attire, girt with a sword, she goes from booth to booth with the Runaways, giving them gifts and pleasure.

### [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)

Seen standing by a booth, pale but smiling, dealing with a chapman; Face-of-god notes her grief.

### [Folk-Might Speaketh with the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvi-folk-might-speaketh-with-the-bride)

Leaves the House of the Steer, goes to a meadow, weeps, and speaks with Folk-might about her sorrow.

### [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)

Stands in war-array among the Men of the Steer, watches Folk-might with flushed and brightened face.

### [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 her kindred at the feast, is admired for her beauty, and later meets Folk-might at Staff-stone.

### [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)

Marches with her kindred in war-gear, bearing a bow and quiver, a deft archer.

### [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)

Seen sleeping peacefully like a child, her face calm and happy, as Face-of-god passes by.

### [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)

Fights among the foremost bowmen, using a short horn bow after her own is broken; she shoots relentlessly into the throng of foes.

### [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)

Reported wounded or dead by Hall-ward; her fate drives Face-of-god's rage.

### [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)

Reported by the Alderman's messenger to be alive and not dying.

### [XLIX: Dallach Fareth to Rosedale: Crow Telleth of His Errand: The Kindreds Eat Their Meat in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlix-dallach-fareth-to-rosedale-crow-telleth-of-his-errand-the-kindreds-eat-their-meat-in-silverdale)

Mentioned as lying hurt in Silverdale; Face-of-god is glad he does not have to see her.

### [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)

Lying wounded, she plights troth to Folk-might and sends a message to Gold-mane.

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

Lies on a litter in the Marketplace, bids farewell to Face-of-god, and expresses her love for her people and contentment to remain.

### [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)

Receives the child from Bow-may, caresses it, and later travels to Shadowy Vale with Folk-might.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters/the_bride
- 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