Joseph Bell
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 Joseph Bell |
 Matthias & Methuselah Bells |
[edit] Description
The Joseph Bell of Redwall Abbey was a monumental and beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Cast with copper, silver, brass and gold, it was adorned with many intricate heiroglyphics and inscriptions, some of which could only be deciphered by Badger Lords. The hieroglyphics on the bell told about the bell's coming to Redwall Abbey, even predicting its name, Joseph. Its polished surface reflected the sunlight perfectly and, when struck, reverberated its surrounding with beautiful musical tones. A poem was engraved at its base, describing the honorable and peaceful purposes of the bell.
The Bell's extraordinary size required an appropriate Bell Tower to support its tremendous weight. Dedicated Bellringers have traditionally been assigned to toll the Joseph Bell and its powerful sound could be heard across Mossflower Woods.
[edit] History
The Joseph Bell was originally designed by Joseph the Bellmaker, and to be delivered to Rawnblade Widestripe of Salamandastron, but the ship carrying it was intercepted by Gabool the Wild. Although Gabool adored the bell at first, his steadily growing madness drove him to think it was taunting him and he vowed to destroy it. He was overthrown by Trag before he could fulfill his vow. The bell was awarded to Redwall for the valiant efforts of Dandin and Mariel Gullwhacker. It was removed from Fort Bladegirt through a hole in the seaward side of the fortress and lowered onto the Periwinkle. It was then sailed to Redwall Abbey, where it replaced the hollow log that was used to announce meals and danger. A special feast called "The Feast of the Bell Raising" celebrated its placement in the Abbey's Bell Tower, complete with a bell-shaped fruitcake as big as the bell itself. Mariel's Gullwhacker was used as the Bell's tolling rope, and Rufe Brush was the first bellringer.
The bell stayed at the Abbey for many seasons until it was attacked by Cluny the Scourge. In the last desperate fight between Matthias and Cluny in the belltower, Matthias was forced to retreat to the very top of the tower, with Cluny at the bottom. Matthias cut the rope holding the bell in place, causing it to crash onto Cluny, killing him instantly. The bell itself was destroyed in the process, and was recast into two new bells, called the Matthias and Methuselah bells.
Later, in The Taggerung, a clue for Abbess Mhera was stuck to a rafter in the belltower. In Doomwyte, one of the bells was used to crush a RavenWyte, pushed by Sister Violet.
