William Morris, Tolkien and The House of the Wolfings

Mythmakers

William Morris, Tolkien and The House of the Wolfings

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Published on Apr 24, 2025, 7:00:00 AM
Total time: 00:42:19

Episode Description

If you love Rohan and want to delve into Tolkien’s influences, you’ll enjoy reading William Morris’s 1889 fantasy novel The House of the Wolfings.

Join Dr Ingrid Hanson of the University of Manchester as she takes Julia Golding deep into the heart of Mirkwood in today’s episode of Mythmakers. Discover the fabulous female characters, Hall Sun and Wood Sun, along with the landscapes and artefacts that inspired Tolkien.

You can explore this text—and other works by Morris—at the Iowa University's Morris Archive: https://morrisarchive.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/show/titles
The Indian story of liberated women mentioned by Ingrid can be read here: https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/sultana/dream/dream.html

 

(00:05) William Morris and House of Wolfings
(12:08) Exploring William Morris's Fantasy Writing
(21:51) Exploring William Morris's Ecological Architecture
(30:53) Politics and Fantasy in Morris's World

 

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More about Mythmakers

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!