Hallblithe taketh ship again away from the Isle of Ransom

The Story of the Glittering Plain

by William MORRIS (1834 - 1896)

In this early example of the modern high fantasy genre, Hallblithe, a warrior of the House of Raven, sets out in pursuit of the pirates who have kidnapped his troth-plight maiden, the Hostage. Kidnapped himself, Hallblithe sails to the Isle of Ransom in the company of the giant Puny Fox. Travelling onward to the Land of the Glittering Plain, he spurns the offer of eternal youth and the hand of the King's daughter to continue the search for his beloved. First published in 1890 in the English Illustrated Magazine, The Story of the Glittering Plain was re-published in 1973 as the first volume of the celebrated Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library. This recording is read from the gloriously printed 1891 Kelmscott Press edition, with illustrations by Walter Crane. (Phil Benson) - Summary by Phil Benson

Listen next episodes of The Story of the Glittering Plain:
Hallblithe amongst the Mountains , Hallblithe beholdeth the woman who loveth him , Hallblithe builds him a skiff , Hallblithe dwelleth in the wood alone , Hallblithe has speech with the King again , Of the Fight of the Champions in the Hall of the Ravagers , So now saileth Hallblithe away from the Glittering Plain , The Sea-eagle reneweth his life , They come to the Land of the Glittering Plain , They go from the Isle of Ransom and come to Cleveland by the Sea , They hold converse with Folk of the Glittering Plain , They look on the the King of the Glittering Plain , Those three go their ways to the edge of the Glittering Plain , Yet Hallblithe speaketh with the King