Use this tag for questions about the series of 22 novels by the late Brian Jacques set in the world of Redwall. Note that this tag does NOT refer specifically either to the location Redwall or to the first book in the series, entitled "Redwall". Use in conjunction with [brian-jacques].
Series
The Redwall series, by the late British author Brian Jacques, consists of the following novels (listed in publication order):
- Redwall (1986)
- Mossflower (1988)
- Mattimeo (1989)
- Mariel of Redwall (1991)
- Salamandastron (1992)
- Martin the Warrior (1993)
- The Bellmaker (1994)
- Outcast of Redwall (1995)
- Pearls of Lutra (1996)
- The Long Patrol (1997)
- Marlfox (1998)
- The Legend of Luke (1999)
- Lord Brocktree (2000)
- Taggerung (2001)
- Triss (2002)
- Loamhedge (2003)
- Rakkety Tam (2004)
- High Rhulain (2005)
- Eulalia! (2007)
- Doomwyte (2008)
- The Sable Quean (2010)
- The Rogue Crew (2011)
Note that this tag does not refer specifically to the first book, Redwall, nor to the place named Redwall. This tag is to be used on all questions concerning these novels or the universe in which they are set.
Setting and characters
The Redwall novels are inhabited by animals - main characters often include foxes and/or sea rats, generally labelled as "vermin", who are often the antagonists, and mice, badgers, squirrels, otters, shrews, and hares.
Mice often appear in the abbey "Redwall" after which the series is named. Redwall has strong walls made of red stone; hence the abbey's name. The abbey generally has an Abbot or Abbess who leads the abbey, a badger mother, who takes care of the Dibbuns, or the young of the abbey, a friar who is a cook, a recorder/scholar who lives in the gatehouse, and a warrior, who protects the abbey in time of need. The warrior often wields Martin's sword, a sword descended from the first warrior, Martin. Martin often appears in dreams and guides those in distress.
Badgers often appear in the mountain stronghold of Salamandastron, served by fighting hares. They defend the country from vermin. Badger lords, who rule the mountain, are often afflicted by bloodwrath, which makes their eyes go red, and they become more powerful and angry then normal - almost unstoppable. Bloodwrath in badgers is reminiscent of berserkers in Viking lore.
Squirrels and otters, while they sometimes appear in the Redwall abbey, also appear in various forests, especially the Mossflower, the forest near Redwall abbey, or waterways. Shrews form bands known as Guosim, which is an acronym standing for "Guerilla union of shrews in Mossflower". While often argumentative, shrews are very skilled with boats and waterways and are very loyal.
