Redwall
Redwall is a series of 22 children's fantasy novels written by English author Brian Jacques, published between 1987 and 2011, that follows anthropomorphic animals in a medieval-inspired world where heroic creatures defend their peaceful abbey from villainous foes.[1] The series, which sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, centers on Redwall Abbey, a sanctuary in the woodland realm of Mossflower, and explores timeless themes of good versus evil, courage, compassion, and the triumph of humble heroes over tyrannical adversaries.[2] Jacques, born in Liverpool in 1939 and who passed away in 2011 at age 71, drew inspiration from his experiences as a storyteller for children at a school for the blind, infusing the books with vivid descriptions, rich dialogue, and intricate world-building that appeals to young readers and reluctant readers alike.[3][1] The inaugural novel, Redwall (1987), introduces the abbey under siege by the rat warlord Cluny the Scourge, setting the pattern for subsequent installments that often feature prequels, sequels, or side stories involving badgers, otters, squirrels, and other woodland inhabitants battling vermin like rats, foxes, and weasels.[4] Jacques's narrative style evokes epic quests reminiscent of Tolkien and Arthurian legends, complete with feasts, battles, poetry, and songs that enhance the immersive medieval atmosphere.[4] Beyond the books, the franchise has expanded into graphic novels, audiobooks, and merchandise, with Netflix acquiring adaptation rights in 2021 for an animated feature film and television series, though development remains ongoing as of 2024.[5] The enduring popularity of Redwall lies in its celebration of community, moral clarity, and adventurous escapism, making it a staple in children's literature and educational curricula.[1]Introduction
Overview
The Redwall series comprises 22 children's fantasy novels authored by British writer Brian Jacques, spanning publication from 1986 to 2011 and featuring anthropomorphic animals in a medieval-inspired world.[6] Set primarily around the fortified Redwall Abbey, the narratives center on communities of woodland creatures who embody virtues of peace and hospitality.[1] At its core, the series depicts peaceful "woodlander" animals—such as mice, otters, and badgers—defending their abbey home from invasions by villainous "vermin" like rats and foxes, underscoring heroism, communal bonds, and celebratory feasts.[1] Classified as heroic fantasy adventure, it targets young readers aged 10-14 with epic quests, moral dilemmas, and standalone yet interconnected tales that encourage reluctant readers through vivid storytelling.[6] Key motifs include the stark dichotomy of good versus evil, the abbey as a beacon of compassionate community life, and recurring elements of prophecy and legacy that link generations of heroes across the books.[1] By 2011, the series had achieved global sales exceeding 20 million copies.[7]Author and Origins
Brian Jacques, born James Brian Jacques on June 15, 1939, in Liverpool, England, was an English author, storyteller, and broadcaster renowned for creating the Redwall series. Growing up in the city's dockland area amid poverty and the hardships of World War II, he left school at age 15 and pursued a variety of working-class jobs, including longshoreman, merchant seaman, truck driver, bus driver, stand-up comedian, and police constable, before establishing himself as a folk singer with the Liverpool Fishermen group in the 1960s.[8][3] His early experiences, including serving as an altar boy which enriched his command of language, and influences from teachers like Alan Durband—who later aided in publishing—shaped his narrative style rooted in oral traditions. Jacques also worked as a broadcaster, hosting the BBC Radio Merseyside program Jakestown, where his storytelling prowess drew from Liverpool's folk heritage.[8][9] The Redwall series originated in 1986 when Jacques, then a milk truck driver, began entertaining blind children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool by reading stories aloud during deliveries; to provide a more immersive experience, he penned the first book, Redwall, as a descriptive gift for them, drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination with adventure tales and anthropomorphic animals. The manuscript faced initial rejections from publishers but was championed by his former teacher Alan Durband, who shared it with a contact at Hutchinson, securing a contract for the first five books and leading to its UK publication that year. Jacques' writing process emphasized an oral storytelling approach, influenced by his broadcasting and folk roots, with vivid, flowing prose that highlighted elaborate descriptions of feasts—reminiscent of wartime rationing—and epic battles, allowing readers to visualize scenes as if heard aloud. He authored all 22 main Redwall novels, along with companion works like The Redwall Cookbook, crafting each in 4 to 5 months by starting with a core idea and ending, then letting the narrative unfold organically under an apple tree in his garden.[9][10][3] Despite early self-doubt—stemming from incidents like being punished at school for writing advanced stories he composed himself—and financial struggles from his varied labor jobs, Jacques overcame these challenges to achieve global success with the series, which sold over 20 million copies. He passed away on February 5, 2011, at age 71, following emergency surgery for an aortic aneurysm that led to a heart attack, leaving behind his wife Maureen and sons Marc and David. The final Redwall novel, The Rogue Crew, was published posthumously in May 2011, with no official new entries since; his estate continues to manage the rights and legacy.[8][3][11]The Series
Books
The Redwall series comprises 22 main novels authored by Brian Jacques, originally published in the United Kingdom by Hutchinson Children's Books from 1986 to 2011, with simultaneous or subsequent releases in the United States by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin. These works form the core of the anthropomorphic fantasy saga set in a medieval-inspired world of woodland creatures, emphasizing themes of heroism and community defense without delving into interconnected plots here. The books are listed below in order of their initial UK publication, each accompanied by a brief non-spoiler synopsis highlighting the primary setting, protagonist archetype, and central conflict. Many titles have seen re-editions by Puffin Books, Penguin's children's imprint, to maintain availability for new readers. The series includes informal arcs, such as the Martin the Warrior trilogy—Mossflower (1988), Martin the Warrior (1993), and The Legend of Luke (1999)—which explore the foundational legend of the warrior mouse whose legacy inspires later protagonists. No official new novels have been released since The Rogue Crew in 2011, following Jacques' death that year, though the existing corpus remains a complete and self-contained collection. Redwall (1986)Published by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), this inaugural novel centers on Redwall Abbey, a haven for peace-loving mice and woodland allies, where a young novice mouse must rise to lead the defense against Cluny the Scourge, a ruthless one-eyed rat warlord and his invading horde intent on conquest.[11][12] Mossflower (1988)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) released this prequel set in the ancient woodlands of Mossflower, where a bold warrior mouse arrives as a prisoner and rallies oppressed creatures against the tyrannical wildcat queen Tsarmina Greeneyes, forging alliances to challenge her iron-fisted rule over the land.[11][13] Mattimeo (1989)
Issued by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), the story unfolds at Redwall Abbey, where the son of a heroic mouse warrior, along with other young abbey dwellers, faces abduction by the cunning fox Slagar, prompting a perilous pursuit by their families to rescue the captives from a sinister fate.[11][14] Mariel of Redwall (1991)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) published this installment, which follows a determined mousemaid shipwrecked on the shores of Mossflower, who joins forces with Redwall's inhabitants to confront the savage sea rats commanded by the tyrannical pirate Gabool the Wild, seeking to reclaim her homeland's honor.[11][15] Salamandastron (1992)
This novel, from Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), spans Redwall Abbey plagued by a mysterious illness and the distant badger stronghold of Salamandastron under siege by the assassin weasel Ferahgo and his horde, where a young hare and otter must unite to safeguard both realms from encroaching evil.[11][16] Martin the Warrior (1993)
Published by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), the tale is set on the eastern coast at the fortress of Marshank, where a captive young mouse warrior escapes enslavement under the despot stoat Badrang, embarking on a quest for freedom that lays the groundwork for the abbey’s future.[11][17] The Bellmaker (1994)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) brought forth this adventure, focusing on a skilled mouse inventor and his daughter, the mousemaid from a prior tale, who lead a band of allies to liberate the coastal kingdom of Southsward from the grip of the monstrous Foxwolf and its rat army.[11][18] Outcast of Redwall (1995)
This entry, released by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), explores the wilds of Mossflower where a young creature exiled from Redwall Abbey becomes caught in the bitter rivalry between a mighty badger lord and the treacherous ferret warlord Swartt Sixclaw, testing loyalties amid escalating violence.[11][19] Pearls of Lutra (1996)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) published this story set at Redwall Abbey and the distant island of Sampetra, where a resourceful hedgehog maid deciphers ancient riddles tied to legendary pearls, while confronting the imperial ambitions of a mad pine marten emperor and his conquering forces.[11][20] The Long Patrol (1997)
From Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), the narrative follows a spirited young hare recruited to the elite Long Patrol at Salamandastron, who must confront the massive Rapscallion army led by the warlord Damug Warfang as it marches toward Redwall, demanding unyielding valor on the open plains.[11][21] Marlfox (1998)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) issued this volume centered on the watery fastness of Castle Marl, where a sly vixen queen deploys her phantom-like Marlfox children and water rat minions to plunder treasures, drawing warrior otters and squirrels into a watery battle for justice.[11][22] The Legend of Luke (1999)
Published by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), this sequel to earlier Martin tales traces a warrior mouse's voyage along the northland coast, driven by the mystery of his father Luke's seafaring past and pursued by the villainous pirate stoat Vilu Daskar, blending land and sea perils.[11][23] Lord Brocktree (2000)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) released this prequel at the mountain fortress of Salamandastron, where a formidable badger lord assembles woodland allies to repel the invading Blue Hordes under the wildcat tyrant Ungatt Trunn, restoring order to a realm on the brink of domination.[11][24] Taggerung (2001)
This novel from Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) unfolds in the rugged northern wilds, following a young otter raised by a brutal Juska vermin clan as their prophesied assassin, who grapples with suppressed memories of his peaceful Redwall origins amid tribal power struggles.[11][25] Triss (2002)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) published this tale of a brave squirrelmaid enslaved at the icy Riftgard fortress, who flees southward to seek sanctuary at Redwall Abbey, intersecting with other fugitives as a new heroic figure emerges to counter the slavers' pursuit.[11][26] Loamhedge (2003)
Issued by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), the story concerns a gentle haremaid at Redwall Abbey questing to the ruined abbey of Loamhedge for a legendary cure to her paralysis, while searat pirates under Raga Bol launch raids that endanger the woodland peace.[11][27] Rakkety Tam (2004)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) brought this adventure featuring a daring Highland squirrel warrior venturing into Mossflower Woods, where he allies with Redwall defenders against a savage wolverine and his cannibalistic band terrorizing the borders.[11][28] High Rhulain (2005)
From Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), the plot centers on the mist-shrouded isle of Green Isle, where enslaved otters await their prophesied High Rhulain—a warrior queen—to lead a rebellion against the oppressive wildcat tyrants holding them in bondage.[11][29] Eulalia! (2007)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) published this entry tracking a noble young badger lord's arduous trek to reclaim Salamandastron from a marauding wildcat usurper, while a golden fox pirate and his searat crew plunder coastal realms in a bid for supremacy.[11][30] Doomwyte (2008)
This volume, released by Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US), follows a clever young mouse at Redwall Abbey who rallies companions on a treasure hunt for the jeweled eyes of the Great Doomwyte Idol, pursued by malevolent ravens and a treacherous adder lurking in the shadows.[11][31] The Sable Quean (2010)
Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) issued this penultimate novel, depicting a cunning sable queen and her vermin legions devising a scheme to seize Redwall Abbey and its babes, countered by woodland warriors including a badger ruler and hare squad.[11][32] The Rogue Crew (2011)
The final book from Hutchinson (UK) and Philomel (US) unites the elite hares of the Long Patrol from Salamandastron with the seafaring otters of the Rogue Crew to battle the monstrous wearat Razzid and his corsair ship threatening Redwall's shores and beyond.[11][33]