Joseph Bell
The Joseph Bell of Redwall Abbey was a monumental and beautiful piece of craftsmanship used by Abbey residents for weddings, alarms, warnings, and celebrations. It also tolled times of day, funeral peals, and for welcoming visitors.
Cast with copper, silver, brass, and gold, it was adorned with many intricate hieroglyphics and inscriptions, some of which could only be deciphered by Badger Lords. The hieroglyphics and symbols on the bell foretold its 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 were traditionally assigned to toll the Joseph Bell, and its powerful sound could be heard across Mossflower Woods. The bell would later be recast as two bells, but the sound still was as melodious as when there was one, and often signaled travelers that they were near the Abbey. During funerals and other solemn moments, the bell or bells would be muted, with cloth wound round the clappers.
History[]
The Joseph Bell was commissioned by Rawnblade Widestripe for Salamandastron, and designed by Joseph the Bellmaker. The ship delivering the bell was intercepted by Gabool the Wild, who stole it. 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 the Trag before he could fulfill his vow.
Rawnblade awarded the bell to Redwall Abbey in gratitude to Martin the Warrior, whose spirit saved his life.
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, and it was officially named the Joseph Bell in honor of it's maker. Rufe Brush, who had previously had the job of pounding the log announcing meals and danger, became the first bellringer. Additionally, Mariel Gullwhacker's Gullwhacker was used as the Bell's tolling rope for at least some time.
Matthias and Methuselah Bells[]
Matthias & Methuselah Bells
During the Summer of the Late Rose, Cluny the Scourge attacked Redwall. In a desperate fight between Matthias and Cluny in the belltower, Matthias cut the rope holding the Joseph Bell in place, causing it to crash onto Cluny, killing the rat instantly. The bell itself was destroyed in the process. However, by the Summer of the Talking Squirrel (the following summer), two new bells were cast from it. They were named the Matthias and Methuselah Bells, and used for the same purposes as their predecessor. They were also used, accidentally, to slay the Ravenwyte Tarul, who hid in the Bell Tower and was struck and killed by the rims when Sister Violet rang the bells.
Many creatures outside of Redwall were aware of the importance of the bells. Periodically, the bells were taken down for cleaning - as the Abbey was without an alarm system during these times, Lady Melesme built a large drum to serve their purpose and had it sent to Abbot Humble. Lord Brang Forgefire at one point broke the bellropes while ringing the bells. He made new green ropes, and had Buckler Kordyne and Diggs deliver them to Abbess Marjoram.