The Well at the World's End by William Morris
"The Well at the World's End" is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Ralph, the youngest son of the King of Upmeads, as he seeks a legendary well believed to grant healing, peace, and eternal love. The story unfolds with Ralph receiving a magical necklace and winning a kiss from a maiden, setting him off on a quest through enchanted realms. Throughout his adventures, he encounters various characters, including the Lady of the Wildwood and the Lady of Abundance, with whom he experiences both joy and tragedy.
As Ralph navigates challenges such as battling knights and rescuing maidens, he ultimately partners with Ursula, who becomes a pivotal figure in his journey. Together, they face dangers, including encounters with cruel lords and mythical beasts, while also learning valuable lessons about bravery and love. Their quest culminates at the Well at the World's End, where they drink from its waters and are promised a life of fulfillment. The narrative intertwines themes of personal growth, love, and the struggle against tyranny, showcasing Ralph's evolution into a capable leader who restores peace to his kingdom alongside Ursula.
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The Well at the World's End
First published: 1896
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—heroic fantasy
Time of work: The Middle Ages
Locale: A feudal world
The Plot
Prince Ralph, youngest son of the King of Upmeads, resolves to seek the Well at the World’s End and receives a charmed necklace. Ralph wins a kiss from a lovely damsel at Bourton Abbas. In the Wood Perilous, Ralph frees a captive maiden whom he thinks of as the Lady of the Wildwood. He encounters again the maiden of Bourton Abbas, who also seeks the Well at the World’s End.
After further adventures, Ralph takes refuge in the House of Abundance, a keep ruled, he hears, by the fair Lady of Abundance. Riding away, Ralph encounters two knights fighting over the Lady of the Wildwood. He battles the Knight of the Sun and is overpowered, but his life is spared at the request of the Lady. As the knight sleeps, the Lady draws Ralph away, tells him she is the Lady of Abundance, and gives herself to him. They live briefly in bliss, but the Knight of the Sun appears, slays her, and is in turn killed by Ralph. Ralph continues his quest.
Ralph hears that the Well-questing maiden from Bourton Abbas has been sold into the bondage of the cruel Lord of Utterbol. In his attempts to rescue her, Ralph is himself taken captive, but eventually he wins his freedom. In the woods outside Utterbol, Ralph encounters a figure who appears to be a knight but turns out to be the maiden, named Ursula. He and the questing maiden find the Sage of Swevenham, a friend of the Well. He instructs them and accompanies them for part of their journey.
Ralph and Ursula winter in the mountains, where Ursula is attacked by a bear and saved by Ralph. In the spring, Ralph and Ursula marry. They ride through woodlands and a desert, where they encounter the corpses of many previous pilgrims at the pool of the Dry Tree. Ralph almost drinks from the pool, but Ursula warns and thereby saves him. They reach the sea and discover the Well at the World’s End, from which they drink.
Having drunk, Ralph and Ursula retrace their steps, and the Sage of Swevenham joins them. They learn that the wicked Lord of Utterbol has been overthrown by a friend of Ralph. The closer Ralph and his friends come to Upmeads, the more challenges they encounter. Ralph’s former acquaintances are impressed by his maturity and leadership and by Ursula’s beauty.
Ralph and Ursula learn that Upmeads has been overrun by an army of renegades. Ralph musters those who have been victimized. With Ursula by his side, he commands a diverse but unified force against the army of renegades, overpowers them, and restores the land to peace. Ralph’s father, King Peter, gives the kingdom to Ralph. Ralph and Ursula achieve the healing, peace, true love, and long life promised to those who drink of the Well at the World’s End.