The House of the Wolfings

The House of the Wolfings is a novel written by William Morris in 1888. It is set in the 9th century and follows the story of a Viking family, the Wolfings, as they navigate their way through the tumultuous world of medieval Europe. The novel explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the struggle for power and survival in a time of political upheaval.

By William Morris · First published 1888 · Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance · 31 chapters · 103,948 words

First lines

The tale tells that in times long past there was a dwelling of men beside a great wood. Before it lay a plain, not very great, but which was, as it were, an isle in the sea of woodland, since even when you stood on the flat ground, you could see trees everywhere in the offing, though as for hills, you could scarce say that there were any; only swellings-up of the earth here and there, like the upheavings of the water that one sees at whiles going on amidst the eddies of a swift but deep stream.

What this Textopian page supports

The House of the Wolfings is listed on Textopian as a novel by William Morris, dated 1888 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: William Morris
• Date: 1888 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Mythology
• Length: 103,948 words
• Structure: 31 chapters, 1,061 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The House of the Wolfings by William Morris
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The House of the Wolfings?
• How does this novel by William Morris fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• A Northern Fancy by Alice Meynell
• From The Revenge by Alfred Tennyson
• Lancelot And Elaine by Alfred Tennyson
• The Marriage Of Geraint by Alfred Tennyson
• The Worlds Desire by H. Rider Haggard
• Tithonus by Alice Meynell

Genres

• Fantasy — The book employs mystical elements and themes, such as a sacred talisman, spirits, and prophecies. The setting is a fictional world inhabited by fictional tribes which is typical of the fantasy genre.
• Historical Fiction — The book recreates an ancient Gothic society which is reminiscent of real historical cultures and times. This historical context enhances the authenticity and realism of the story.
• Romance — The story includes a love thread, specifically between two of the main characters - Thiodolf and the Hall-Sun. Their relationship heightens the emotional depth of the book.
• Adventure — The storyline centers around an epic battle and adventure. Action and conflict play a significant role in driving the plot forward.

Tags

Fantasy · Utopianism · Social Critique · Victorian Literature · Epic Poem · Medieval Setting · Heroic Quest · Mythology · Allegory · Symbolism · Nature Imagery · Romanticism

Contents

• The Dwellings of Mid-Mark
• The Flitting of the War-Arrow
• Thiodolf Talketh with the Wood-Sun
• The House Fareth to the War
• Concerning the Hall-Sun
• They Talk on the Way to the Folk-Thing
• They Gather to the Folk-Mote
• The Folk-Mote of the Markmen
• The Ancient Man of the Daylings
• That Carline Cometh to the Roof of the Wolfings
• The Hall-Sun Speaketh
• Tidings of the Battle in Mirkwood
• The Hall-Sun Saith Another Word
• The Hall-Sun Is Careful Concerning the Passes of the Wood
• They Hear Tell of the Battle on the Ridge
• How the Dwarf-Wrought Hauberk Was Brought Away from the Hall of the Daylings
• The Wood-Sun Speaketh with Thiodolf
• Tidings Brought to the Wain-Burg
• Those Messengers Come to Thiodolf
• Otter and His Folk Come Into Mid-Mark
• They Bicker About the Ford
• Otter Falls on Against His Will
• Thiodolf Meeteth the Romans in the Wolfing Meadow
• The Goths Are Overthrown by the Romans
• The Host of the Markmen Cometh Into the Wild-Wood
• Thiodolf Talketh with the Wood-Sun
• They Wend to the Morning Battle
• Of the Storm of Dawning
• Of Thiodolf's Storm
• Thiodolf Is Borne Out of the Hall and Otter Is Laid Beside Him
• Old Asmund Speaketh Over the War-Dukes: The Dead Are Laid in Mound

More by William Morris

• The Folk of the Mountain Door (1896)
• News from Nowhere (1890)
• The Water of the Wondrous Isles (1897)
• The Well at the World's End (1896)
• The Wood Beyond the World (1894)
• The Roots of the Mountains (1890)
• The Sundering Flood (1897)
• Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair (1878)
• All works by William Morris