The Sundering Flood

by Morris, William

• ISBN13: 9780486816869
• ISBN10: 0486816869
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-01-16
• Publisher: Dover Publications

Summary

The celebrated medievalist William Morris was among the first writers to combine supernatural elements with worldbuilding. He created the precursors of modern fantasy fiction, and both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien acknowledged his influence on their writing. In his final novel, Morris draws upon Icelandic lore to tell a tale of two lovers, Osberne and Elfhild, separated by a broad river. When Elfhild vanishes from the riverbank, Osberne takes up his magical sword Boardcleaver and begins a desperate search. He soon finds himself battling a tyrannical king in the service of rebel knight Sir Godrick of Longshaw, but Osberne can never forget the quest for his lost love.
A captivating blend of chivalric romance and wizardry, this volume is a facsimile of the highly ornamented Kelmscott Press edition of 1897. The text is printed in black, with red chapter titles, and the lovely borders and initials are Morris's own design.

Author Biography

Polymath William Morris (1834–96) was a prolific writer of novels and essays as well as a translator of medieval texts. Although best known in his lifetime as a poet, Morris is chiefly remembered today for his designs, which he issued from his highly successful decorative arts firm. He also founded the Kelmscott Press, which he dedicated to the hand-printing of a select number of beautiful books.

Table of Contents

I. Of a river called the Sundering Flood, and of the folks that dwelt thereby.

II. Of Wethermel and the child Osberne

III. Wolves harry the flock

IV. Surly John falls out with the goodman

V. Osberne slays the wolves

VI. They fare to the Cloven Mote

VII. Of a newcomer, and his gift to Osberne

VIII. The goodman gets a new hired man

IX. The Bight of the Cloven Knoll

X. Osberne and Elfhild hold converse together

XI. Osberne shoots a gift across the Flood

XII. Of a guest called Waywearer

XIII. Steelhead gives Osberne the sword Board-cleaver

XIV. Steelhead takes leave of Osberne  

XV. Surly John brings a guest to Wethermel

XVI. Hardcastle would seize Wethermel

XVII. Osberne slayeth Hardcastle

XVIII. Osberne tells Elfhild of the killing of Hardcastle

XIX. The winter passes, and Elfhild tells of the death of her kinswoman

XX. Osberne fares to East Cheaping and brings gifts for Elfhild

XXI. Warriors from East Cheaping ride into the Dale

XXII. Osberne takes leave of Elfhild

XXIII. Osberne is chosen captain of the Dalesmen

XXIV. A skirmish with the Baron of Deepdale in the marshes

XXV. Stephen tells of an adventure in the camp of the Foemen

XXVI. They bring the Baron into East Cheaping

XXVII. They parley from the walls

XXVIII. The Baron of Deepdale makes peace

XXIX. Osberne and his men return to Wethermel

XXX. Osberne goes to the trysting-place

XXXI. They meet through autumn and winter

XXXII. Foemen among the West Dalers

XXXIII. Osberne seeks tidings of Elfhild

XXXIV. Osberne sorrows for the loss of Elfhild

XXXV.berne seeks counsel of Steelhead

XXXVI. The staves which Osberne taught to the Dalesmen

XXXVII. Osberne takes leave of Wethermel

XXXVIII. Osberne parts fron Stephen the Eater

XXXIX. Osberne gets him a new master

XL. Osberne rides with Sir Godrick

XLI. They joust with the Knight of the Fish

XLII. They deliver the thorpedwellers from the Black Skinners

XLIII. They come to the edge of the Wood Masterless

XLIV. They reach Longshaw, and Osberne gets him a new name

XLV. The Red Lad scatters the host of the Barons

XLVI. Osberne enters the City of the Sundering Flood

XLVII. The Battle in the Square

XLVIII. Sir Godrick is chosen nBurgreve of the City

XLIX. The Red Lad takes leave of Sir Godrick

L. The Red Lad speaks privily with Sir Godrick

LI. Osberne is beguiled by felons

LII. The meeting of Osberne and Elfhild

LIII. They come to Wethermel, and the Carline begins a tale

LIV. The Blue Knight buys the Maiden of the Chap,am

LV. The Blue Knight talks with the Maiden by the way.

LVI. They come to Brookside

LVII. The Maiden bears tidings of a young champion at Longshaw

LVIII. The Blue Knight and his host leave Brookside

LIX. The Maiden and the Carline flee to the Grey Sisters

LX. They fall in with three Chapmen

LXI. They escape from the Chapmen by the Carline's wizardy

LXII. The Carline endeth her tale

LXIII. Osberne and Elfhild make themselves known to their people

LXIV. The Lip of the Sundering Flood

LXV. A friend at need

LXVI. The Lord of Longshaw gathereth force