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Redwall Wiki | Brian Jacques and Redwall Information

Known as one the most fierce and bad-tempered fighters of the Northlands, General Ironbeak was a large male black raven and the commander of an army of raven, crows, rooks, and magpies. Though intelligent in his own right, he rarely conducted any activities without first consulting his crow seer, Mangiz.

Growing tired of the cold Northlands, Ironbeak traveled south to Mossflower Woods. There he saw Redwall Abbey and sought to conquer it. Initially, he was successful, first infiltrating Warbeak Loft and slaying the old and baby sparrows. Ironbeak tried to capture Baby Rollo but he was driven off by Sister May.

Ironbeak later kidnapped Rollo, along with Mrs. Churchmouse and Cornflower. He delivered an ultimatum to the Redwallers: total surrender of the Abbey for the return of the hostages. Abbot Mordalfus bought some time and the Abbey dwellers devised a plan. They captured Quickbill, Brightback, and Diptail, three magpies who foraged from the Abbey orchard to feed Ironbeak's flock. Ironbeak consigned to return Cornflower, Mrs. Churchmouse, and Rollo, if the Abbey residents returned his magpies. During the exchange, however, Ironbeak's army stocked up on supplies and infiltrated the Infirmary and the dormitories.

Dismayed by Ironbeak's one-by-one method of capturing the Abbey, the Redwallers retreated to Cavern Hole and blockaded themselves in. Foremole and his mole crew dug tunnels to different locations inside the Abbey, including the gatehouse. Meanwhile, Mangiz realized the influence Martin the Warrior had over the Abbey and advised Ironbeak to steal the tapestry hanging in the Great Hall. Quickbill and his magpies were instructed to retrieve the tapestry, but the Redwallers intervened and drove the birds off.

Cornflower and Constance developed a plan for lowering the birds' morale. Cornflower dressed in Martin the Warrior's armor and showed herself to two rook guards, Ragwing and Grubclaw, while Constance called out in a spooky voice, then anonymously disappeared using Foremole's tunnels and a black curtain. The rooks were afraid, as this "warrior mouse ghost" was the same one that was seemingly clouding Mangiz's visions. Ironbeak did not believe in the ghost, and punished anybody who talked about it.

Constance was the most-feared Redwall defender among the birds. While Constance stored the armor in the gatehouse, Ironbeak saw his chance to put her out of action and locked her inside. He then led the birds' final charge into Cavern Hole and took the Abbey denizens captive. He was on the brink of killing Sister May when Stryk Redkite, a large red kite that had been injured and healed by the Redwallers, appeared. Stryk immediately saw that her friend Sister May was under attack, rushed to defend her, and slew Ironbeak in a great airborne fight by striking at him. Mangiz tried to rally the rooks, but he was killed by Constance, who had broken down the gatehouse door, with a hefty blow. The other rooks were allowed to go free but they were set with heavy collars to slow them down.

Personality and Traits

Ironbeak was undoubtedly cruel and selfish. He also appears to have had an conceited side as well, as he constantly remarked about what a great fighter he was, though, in fact, he was a relatively weak fighter. Despite their fierce reputation, Ironbeak and his troops were easily overpowered by a handful of mice with staves. Ironbeak himself was injured by a young girl mouse, armed with nothing more than a basket. The physical weakness of Ironbeak and his minions perhaps owed to the fact that they never seemed to do any training, instead spending all of their time eating and sleeping. Despite these traits Ironbeak was also very cunning and savage, but also very arrogant, calling mice, otters, and other woodlanders "earthcrawlers".

Physically, Ironbeak was a powerfully built raven with bright eyes and fine dark plumage.

Trivia

  • In the Redwall TV Series, Ironbeak wore a metal helmet to distinguish him from the other birds. He had gray head feathers and red-rimmed, almost reptilian eyes.
  • Cluny the Scourge, Ironbeak, Badredd, and Raga Bol have the distinction of being the only villains to successfully hold the Abbey.
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