Honor and Oath-Keeping

Where it surfaces

• Of Face-of-God and His Kindred

  The betrothal of Face-of-god and the Bride, and the kindred's chieftain status, reflect the importance of honor, oaths, and tradition in their society.

• New Tidings in the Dale

  Gold-mane's internal conflict between his loyalty to his Mountain friends and his duty to his Dale community.

• XI: Men Make Oath at Burgstead on the Holy Boar

  The central ritual of the chapter is the swearing of oaths on the Holy Boar, with characters like Bristler and Face-of-god pledging deeds that bind their honor.

• Stone-Face Telleth Concerning the Wood-Wights

  Gold-mane reflects on his oath to wed the Mountain Woman, feeling it should have been made stronger, and struggles with his duty to his kindred.

• XV: Murder Amongst the Folk of the Woodlanders

  Wood-grey's naked pursuit of the felon and his death in defense of his household exemplify the honor and duty of a goodman, praised by all as falling like his folk of old time.

• XVI: The Bride Speaketh with Face-of-God

  Face-of-god agrees to give a token and swear an oath, highlighting the importance of promises and kinship duties.

• XVII: The Token Cometh from the Mountain

  Face-of-god follows the instructions from the token precisely, demonstrating his commitment to the oath or promise implied by the message.

• XIX: The Fair Woman Telleth Face-of-God of Her Kindred

  The chapter discusses oaths sworn on the Boar, including Bristler's oath and Iron-face's implicit trustworthiness, and Face-of-god's oath to wed the fairest woman.

• XXII: Face-of-God Cometh Home to Burgstead

  Face-of-god's commitment to his troth with Sun-beam and the loyalty of Wood-wise and Bow-may to her reflect the importance of oaths and fidelity.

• Talk in the Hall of the House of the Face

  The Bride's public kiss and Iron-face's reference to her as 'troth-plight maiden' emphasize the weight of betrothal oaths and the tension between personal desire and social obligation.

• XXIV: Face-of-God Giveth That Token to the Bride

  Face-of-god swears a solemn oath to give the Bride the second man-child, and the Bride insists on taking the public blame to preserve honor.

• Of the Gate-Thing at Burgstead

  The sacred peace of the Thing and the oath sworn by the assembly underscore the importance of honor and binding vows.

• The Ending of the Gate-Thing

  The Bride's public renunciation challenges the expected troth-plight, while Iron-face's rage stems from a perceived breach of honor.

• XXXII: The Men of Shadowy Vale Come to the Spring Market at Burgstead

  The Dalesmen's pride in their freedom and their honest dealings with the merchants (who trust their tallies without seeing the beasts) reflect a code of honor and truthfulness.

• XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face

  Face-of-god insists on fulfilling his promise to help the Wolf reclaim their own, and the chieftains deliberate with a sense of duty to protect their people.

• Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed

  The formal assembly and display of banners reflect the solemn oaths and honor-bound commitments of the assembled folk.

• Of the Great Folk-Mote: Atonements Given, and Men Made Sackless

  The Folk-mote is hallowed with solemn oaths, and Folk-might honors his oath by confessing and paying blood-wite, while Bristler upholds the oath sworn on the Holy Boar.

• 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 declares that they do not seek the strong and thrust aside the weak, but choose friends of like mind, and the brotherhood is sworn to endure forever.

• XLIV: Of the Onslaught of the Men of the Steer, the Bridge, and the Bull

  The disciplined advance and valorous conduct of the Dalesmen, including the Bride's relentless archery, exemplify their commitment to their oaths and honor.

• XLVII: The Kindreds Win the Mote-House

  Folk-might's determination to ascend the stair of his fathers and reclaim the high-seat reflects the deep honor and duty to ancestral traditions.

• Folk-Might Seeth the Bride and Speaketh with Her

  The Bride reminds Gold-mane of his oath, and the troth-plight is witnessed by Iron-face with a holy ring, emphasizing the sacredness of vows.

• Of the Word Which Hall-Ward of the Steer Had for Folk-Might

  Face-of-god reaffirms his oath to wed the Sun-beam, revealing that his vow at Yule was always meant for her.

• Tidings of Dallach: A Folk-Mote in Silverdale

  Fox of Upton's refusal of gifts and Stone-face's argument about divine anger highlight the importance of honor and proper conduct between allies.