folk-mote

Updated: June 15, 2025

It was on the evening of the fourth day after the Folk-mote that there came through the Waste to the rocky edge of Shadowy Vale a band of some fifteen score of men-at-arms, and with them a multitude of women and children and old men, some afoot, some riding on asses and bullocks; and with them were sumpter asses and neat laden with household goods, and a few goats and kine.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

So the Folk-mote was sundered; and men went to their houses, and there abode in peace the time of their summoning; since they wotted well that the Hosting was afoot.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

Yet have we to deal with the matter of the fellowship with the Folk whom Face-of-god hath seen. This is a matter for thee, son, at least till the Great Folk-mote is holden. Tell me then, shall we send a messenger to Shadowy Vale to speak with this folk, or shall we abide the chieftain's coming?

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

Now here I have the roll of our Weapon-show, and I will look to it that none shall be passed over; and if ye ask me in what order they had best get on the way, my rede is that a two hundred should depart on the very evening of the day of the Folk-mote, and these to be of our folk of the Upper Dale; and on the morning of the morrow of the Folk- mote another two hundreds from the Dale; and in the evening of the same day the folk of the Shepherds, three hundreds or more, and that will be easy to them; again on the next day two more bands of the Lower Dale, one in the morning, one in the evening.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

Therewith he kissed her hand, and turned away, and went across the meadow and the stream, glad at heart and blithe with everyone; for kindness grew in him as gladness grew. Now came the day of the Great Folk-mote, and there was much thronging from everywhere to the Mote-stead, but most from Burgstead itself, whereas few of the Dale-dwellers who had been at the Fair had gone back home.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

And now was a great Folk-mote holden in Silver-dale, whereto the Burgdale men and the Shepherds were bidden; and thereat the War- leader gave out the morrow of the morrow for the day of the departure of the Host.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

'And, Gold-mane, I have seen hitherto but the outward show and image of thee, and though that be goodly, how would it be if thou didst shame me with little-heartedness and evil deeds? Let me see thee in the Folk-mote and the battle, and then may I answer thee.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale