Redwall Abbey

Redwall Abbey is a peaceful order of brothers and sisters located in Mossflower Woods. It was co-founded by Abbess Germaine and Martin the Warrior. There is no religious aspect. Many times a warrior is called upon from the residents to combat a threat to their peace.

Older members of the order wear dark green-brown habits, while novices wear light green habits. Redwallers are known for their celebrations and festivities, most of which feature extravagant feasts.

HISTORY- Following the destruction and flooding of Kotir, an ancient castle in Mossflower ruled for seasons by the Greeneyes family, and the evacuation of Loamhedge Abbey as the result of a plague, blueprints of the Abbey complex designed by Germaine became reality with Martin's assistance.

The Abbey was built out of red sandstone from a neighboring quarry by Mossflower woodlanders and Loamhedge survivors. Construction took more than 20 seasons. Its weather vane was smithed by Ferdy and Coggs Stickle.

Later, a bell tower was added to the structure during the time of Abbot Saxtus.

A tapestry dedicated to Martin the Warrior was woven and hung in Great Hall. After the deaths of Germaine and Martin, both mice were entombed beneath the Abbey.

Redwallers traditionally name the Seasons after some large occurrence or event. Young citizens of the Abbey are called Dibbuns.

The unwritten rule of Redwall Abbey is that "Redwall mice can go anywhere, through any territory, and pass unharmed."

REDWALL CHARTER- The Redwall Abbey Charter is as follows:

To be brothers and sisters of peace and goodwill while living together under the protection of Redwall Abbey. Forsake all unnecessary forms of violence, not only to Mossflower, its trees, grasses, flowers and insects, but to all living creatures. Help and comfort the dispossessed. Harbor orphans and waifs. Offer shelter to all creatures alike. Give clothing, warmth and food to any beast or creature that is deemed in need of such. Educate and learn, particularly in the healing arts, comfort the sick, nurse the injured and help the wounded. Take food from the earth and replenish the land by caring for it; husbanding crops, living in harmony with the seasons always. To honor and protect friends and brethren, only raising paw to do battle when life at Redwall is threatened by treachery and the shadow of war; at these times every Redwall creature should show courage, fortitude and obedience to the Father Abbot. The taking of another life must always be justified and never carried out in a wanton manner.

Abbots and Abbesses are leaders of Redwall Abbey who are generally selected for the role by their predecessors or a Council of Elders. Sometimes, the Spirit of Martin the Warrior provides influence as to which Redwaller should be the next in charge.

Badger mothers look after young ones who reside in Redwall, and, as they live seasons longer than others, are known for their wisdom.

Abbey Warriors are those of any species who are called upon by the Spirit of Martin the Warrior to defend the Abbey in times of need or to perform a special task. Warriors should not be confused with those who wield the Sword of Martin.

Champions of Redwall are those who have been officially designated as the defender of the Abbey by its residents.

Sometimes, Abbey Warriors and those who hold the Champion position overlap. Champions do not always receive visions of Martin.

REGIONS OF REDWALL

The Gatehouse, also called the Warrior's Cottage, is a building located exterior to Redwall Abbey but still within its walls. The Recorder and Historian of Redwall generally resides here. The Gatehouse resident is in charge of opening and closing Redwall's gate.

The Orchard is a grouping of fruit trees and berry patches located in a corner outside of Redwall Abbey, but still within its walls. It is a favored area of meditation and rest for all Redwallers, as well as a place where Dibbuns enjoy playing, snacking, and begin the traditional march for Nameday. The Orchard contains a flowerbed, beechlogs, and sometimes an old upside-down wheelbarrow where creatures often sit and enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Smaller feasts, picnics, and fire lit parties are occasionally held in the Orchard.

The Lawns of Redwall Abbey, located to the exterior of the primary structure, enclose the orchard and the pond. Dibbuns enjoy playing on the lawns.

The Redwall Abbey Pond is the remainder of the lake used to flood Kotir. Many Redwallers use the pond for fishing, most memorably Fermald the Ancient, Matthias, and Abbot Mordalfus, who was its caretaker.

The Great Hall is the largest and most ornate room within Redwall Abbey. It is where the tapestry of Martin the Warrior is proudly displayed and where the special chair designated for the incumbent Abbey leader is located. These precious items give the Great Hall a special importance, both strategic and spiritual.

The first room after one enters the main Abbey doors, Great Hall features large and beautiful stained glass windows, great imposing columns, a high roofbeam ceiling, a sandstone floor, and a large brazier where fires are lit during winter.

Great Hall is primarily used for official functions, meetings, and important feasts, such as the Great Feast and Nameday, on which occasion a special Great Hall cake is prepared.

During times of crisis, Great Hall is sometimes used to tend the wounded in place of the Infirmary. Great Hall is connected to The Cellar below via a passageway. A spiral staircase leads from this room to the dormitories located above.

The Dormitories are the region of Redwall Abbey where most of the residents sleep. There are six dormitories, as well as a private Abbot's dormitory and personal quarters for the resident badger mother.

While a majority of Redwallers sleep in the dormitories, the Abbey seems to have a few spare bedrooms, allowing some exceptions to be made and for private accommodations for guests and residents.

The Infirmary is the medical facility of Redwall Abbey. Sick and wounded residents and visitors are usually taken to the Infirmary for the receipt of healthcare. The Infirmary is generally managed by a Sister or Brother with experience or knowledge in therapeutics. During Abbot Mortimer's time, he led the Infirmary and treated patients himself.

The Infirmary is located on the same floor as the dormitories. Its cupboards are filled with remedies, herbs, roots, and poultices prepared by the caretakers to assist with curing illnesses and healing injuries.

The Kitchen is the region of Redwall Abbey where food, feasts, and meals are prepared. It is managed by a Head Chef, generally a Friar, and his or her assistants. The Kitchen was widely known for its culinary quality and consistency.

Cavern Hole is a comfortable room inside Redwall Abbey used primarily as a gathering area for the Abbey dwellers. It is smaller than Great Hall, and like that room, features a special chair designated for the Abbot or Abbess.

Located below the Great Hall, Cavern Hole is accessible through a set of seven stairs. Cavern Hole can also be reached from the cellar through a small corridor and a sloping ramp. An archway marks the entry between Cavern Hole and the Kitchen.

Not as decorated as the Great Hall, Cavern Hole has large slit windows and a stone floor. It is furnished with a large table and lit by candles in sconces.

Redwallers usually eat their informal meals, especially breakfast and supper, in this room. It is occasionally used as a meeting place in times of crisis in place of the Great Hall.

The Cellar is the region of Redwall Abbey where ales, cordials, fizzes, and other drinks consumed by Abbey residents are brewed and stored. Resident cellar keepers and brewers carefully prepare and monitor these wonderful beverages during the barrel aging process, which adds to the pride and fame of the Abbey.

The Cellar is a vast, underground area - much of it is ill-lit, and creatures are constantly discovering things about it they had not known before.

The Attic, located above the dormitories and below the roof of Redwall Abbey, (specifically the Warbeak Loft region of it), was the primary dwelling of Fermald the Ancient. This place was not often visited and was virtually forgotten after Fermald's death.

The attic was connected to the dormitories via a spiral staircase leading to a long corridor. This relatively dusky area was lit during the daytime by a high window of rock crystal. The chamber was furnished with various old items of furniture, including a large battered armchair and a great wall cupboard.

The attic was situated on the north side of the Abbey and the window of the attic faced south. The outside of the window featured a carved mouse in the stone above it as well as a large ledge below it. Near the window, located on a stone parapet, sat the nest of a house martin.

The Library is a region of the lower attics of Redwall Abbey. It was established by Old Quelt as an organized gathering place for all of Redwall's historical writings, particularly from The Gatehouse and the Abbot/Abbess's quarters.

Constructed during the time of Abbot Saxtus, The Bell Tower is the part of Redwall Abbey where the Joseph Bell was originally hung, and where the Matthias and Methuselah bells were later hung. Usually, a young Abbey resident is given the position of Bellringer; Tim and Tess Churchmouse were the first Redwallers to receive this job in regards to the twin bells.

The Roof of Redwall Abbey is a region often inaccessible to most of its residents. It is marked by turrets, spires, and crenellations which can usually only be seen by birds, such as the Sparra colony. The roof features four birds carved in stone placed at the cardinal points. These statues indicate the direction in which the respective birds travel each season, with the southern statue containing a riddle from Abbess Germaine with directions to Loamhedge Abbey.

The roof also features a weather vane on the south gable. On the north pointer, Rufe Brush attached the Sword of Martin the Warrior, where Jess Squirrel and Matthias attempted to find it several generations later. The weather vane was smithed by Ferdy and Coggs Stickle in a memorable event during the construction of the Abbey.