# The Witch Wife — The Water of the Wondrous Isles character guide > The Witch Wife in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the witch wife, the witch mistress **First appearance:** 0000-the-first-part-of-the-house-of-captivity ## Snapshot The harsh mistress of the House under the Wood, who raises Birdalone in servitude and teaches her, unwittingly, to distrust and outgrow her. ## Who they are The witch-wife keeps Birdalone in lonely captivity, setting her to swinking with twiggen rods and switches, and letting slip in her rages fragments of the wider world that the girl stores up and pieces together. She fears the wood and will not enter it, which gives Birdalone her one free territory and her first lesson in evading a tyrant. Her malice and few-spoken cruelty shape Birdalone's hardened heart and her resolve, making the witch the shadow the whole story must eventually escape. ## Relationships ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _rivalry_ The Witch Wife is Birdalone's cruel and manipulative captor, representing a hostile and oppressive force. ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _rivalry_ The Witch Wife is Birdalone's cruel and manipulative captor, representing a hostile and oppressive force. ## In the story ### [The First Part: Of the House of Captivity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/the-first-part-of-the-house-of-captivity) The witch who stole Birdalone and kept her captive on the island. ### [I: Catch at Utterhay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/i-catch-at-utterhay) Introduced as a tall, black-haired, hook-nosed woman who lures a poor mother with gold and steals her child, fleeing into Evilshaw. ### [II: Now Shall Be Told of the House by the Waterside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-now-shall-be-told-of-the-house-by-the-waterside) The witch-wife who stole Birdalone; she feeds and sometimes caresses the child, and leads them to her house by the lakeside. ### [III: Of Skin-Changing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-of-skin-changing) She changes her skin for journeys and explains this to Birdalone, showing her magical nature. ### [IV: Of the Waxing of the Stolen Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-the-waxing-of-the-stolen-child) The witch who keeps Birdalone isolated, feeding her well but rarely speaking, and later teaching her through punishment. ### [Of Birdalone, and How She Is Grown Into Maidenhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-of-birdalone-and-how-she-is-grown-into-maidenhood) Birdalone's mistress, who uses her as a thrall and plans to make her a thing accursed. She makes secret nocturnal journeys, leaving Birdalone in sickening dread. ### [VI: Herein Is Told of Birdalone’s Raiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-herein-is-told-of-birdalone-s-raiment) The witch-wife initially scolds Birdalone for her request but provides materials for shoes and a gown after seeing her embroidery. She grows gloomy and suspicious, accusing Birdalone of wanting to flee, and warns her that escape is impossible and would be punished lifelong. ### [VII: Birdalone Hath an Adventure in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vii-birdalone-hath-an-adventure-in-the-wood) Birdalone initially fears the witch wife has come to fetch her, and later recalls the witch's harsh words about her appearance. ### [VIII: Of Birdalone and the Witch-Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-of-birdalone-and-the-witch-wife) Scowls and questions Birdalone suspiciously, but eventually softens and promises her rest after the hay harvest. ### [IX: Of Birdalone’s Swimming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ix-of-birdalone-s-swimming) The witch observes Birdalone from the house but gives no sign, allowing her holiday. ### [X: Birdalone Comes on New Tidings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/x-birdalone-comes-on-new-tidings) Referenced as Birdalone's mistress, who told tales of a serpent and is impatient with questions. ### [XI: Of Birdalone’s Guilt and the Chastisement Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xi-of-birdalone-s-guilt-and-the-chastisement-thereof) The witch flies into a murderous rage when Birdalone mentions the lake and the boat, but then pardons her and administers a potion as a 'correction' to make her invisible and voiceless. ### [XII: The Words of the Witch-Wife to Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xii-the-words-of-the-witch-wife-to-birdalone) Delivers a lengthy monologue warning Birdalone, promising future joys if obedient, and threatening death or misery if she disobeys or flees. ### [XIII: Birdalone Meeteth the Wood-Woman Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xiii-birdalone-meeteth-the-wood-woman-again) Rouses Birdalone roughly, keeps her at work, but does not mishandle her; her earlier fury has subsided into surliness. ### [XIV: Of Birdalone's Fishing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xiv-of-birdalone-s-fishing) The witch-wife sends Birdalone fishing, searches her clothes, and watches her suspiciously. ### [XV: Birdalone Weareth Her Serpent-Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xv-birdalone-weareth-her-serpent-ring) The witch wife performs a blood ritual on the Sending Boat, animating it with her own blood and a song. ### [XVI: Birdalone Meeteth Habundia Again; and Learneth Her First Wisdom of Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xvi-birdalone-meeteth-habundia-again-and-learneth-her-first-wisdom-of-her) Returns in a blithe mood, grants Birdalone leave to go to the wood, and later remarks on Birdalone's changed, more womanly appearance. ### [XVII: The Passing of the Year Into Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xvii-the-passing-of-the-year-into-winter) Grows fearful of Birdalone, restrains from punishing her, and becomes restless and fierce, though she refrains from open conflict. ### [XVIII: Of Spring-Tide and the Mind of Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xviii-of-spring-tide-and-the-mind-of-birdalone) The witch-wife is mentioned as the one Birdalone has been deceiving and now intends to confront openly; she is feared but Birdalone believes she may have some love for her. ### [XX: Of Birdalone and the Sending Boat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xx-of-birdalone-and-the-sending-boat) The witch-wife steals Birdalone's clothes, pursues her to the creek, attempts to command the boat, and hurls a sword after her in fury. ### [The Second Part: Of the Wondrous Isles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/the-second-part-of-the-wondrous-isles) Antagonistic witch figure. ### [I: The First Isle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/i-the-first-isle) The witch from whom Birdalone escapes, mentioned as the source of her thraldom. ### [III: Birdalone Is Brought Before the Witch-Wife’s Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-birdalone-is-brought-before-the-witch-wife-s-sister) Mentioned as the sister of the lady-witch; Birdalone fled from her and is now accused of being a stolen thrall. ### [IV: Of the Witch’s Prison in the Wailing-Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-the-witch-s-prison-in-the-wailing-tower) The witch orders Birdalone's imprisonment but is expected to forget by morning; her memory is easily confused. ### [V: They Feast in the Witch’s Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-they-feast-in-the-witch-s-prison) Referenced as the cruel mistress who sent Atra and Viridis to torment Birdalone with words, but whose plan is being subverted by the sisters' kindness. ### [VI: Atra Tells of How They Three Came Unto the Isle of Increase Unsought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-atra-tells-of-how-they-three-came-unto-the-isle-of-increase-unsought) The witch who lured the three ladies into the Sending Boat and brought them to the Isle of Increase Unsought. ### [VII: The Three Damsels Take Birdalone Out of the Witch’s Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vii-the-three-damsels-take-birdalone-out-of-the-witch-s-prison) The witch who imprisons Birdalone and has destroyed other visitors to the isle. ### [IV: Of Birdalone’s Faring Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iv-of-birdalone-s-faring-abroad) Mentioned in Birdalone's self-rebuke as a past tormentor she compares her current state to. ### [V: Sir Aymeris Showeth Birdalone the Mountains Afar Off](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-sir-aymeris-showeth-birdalone-the-mountains-afar-off) The witch appears in Birdalone's nightmare, coming from the Sending Boat to fetch her and torment her. ### [IX: Hugh Tells the Story of the Quest's Ending](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ix-hugh-tells-the-story-of-the-quest-s-ending) The witch on the Isle of Increase Unsought is encountered, then destroyed, leading to the palace's collapse. ### [X: How It Fared with the Three Ladies After the Escape of Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/x-how-it-fared-with-the-three-ladies-after-the-escape-of-birdalone) The witch wife suspects the ladies, receives the doves' messages, and chains them as punishment for their betrayal. ### [V: Of the Death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone. She Is Warned in a Dream to Seek the Black Squire, and Is Minded to Depart the City of the Five Crafts, and Seek Again the Castle of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-of-the-death-of-audrey-mother-to-birdalone-she-is-warned-in-a-dream-to-seek-the-black-squire-and-is-minded-to-depart-the-city-of-the-five-crafts-and-seek-again-the-castle-of-the-quest) Appears in Birdalone's dream, speaking in friendly fashion and taunting her about the Black Squire. ### [VIII: Birdalone Cometh to the Castle of the Quest, Heareth the Tale Thereof from Leonard, and Departeth Thence by the Sending Boat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-birdalone-cometh-to-the-castle-of-the-quest-heareth-the-tale-thereof-from-leonard-and-departeth-thence-by-the-sending-boat) Her malice is behind the fetches that haunt the castle; Birdalone believes she may be dead if the fetches cease. ### [XI: Coming to the Isle of Kings Birdalone Findeth There a Score and Two of Fair Damsels Who Would Fain Have Her Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xi-coming-to-the-isle-of-kings-birdalone-findeth-there-a-score-and-two-of-fair-damsels-who-would-fain-have-her-company) Birdalone suspects the damsels might be a show sent by her old mistress the witch for her undoing. ### [XVI: Birdalone Findeth Her Witch-Mistress Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xvi-birdalone-findeth-her-witch-mistress-dead) Found dead on the bench outside her dwelling, with staring eyes and cold skin; Birdalone buries her. ### [XVII: Birdalone Layeth to Earth the Body of the Witch, and Findeth the Sending Boat Broken Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xvii-birdalone-layeth-to-earth-the-body-of-the-witch-and-findeth-the-sending-boat-broken-up) The witch is buried by Birdalone in a grave she dug. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/the_witch_wife - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters