Madder than midwinter, stronger than a four-topped oak, temper like lightnin', full 'o the Bloodwrath.
Lady Cregga Rose Eyes was a female badger ruler of Salamandastron and badger mother of Redwall Abbey. She was an extremely powerful warrior and strongly affected by the Bloodwrath, which tinged her eyes a perpetual pink, hence her name. This earned her the titles of "Wild-eyed Warrior Queen" and "Belle of the Bloodwrath".
Ruler of Salamandastron[]
As Badger Lady, Cregga commanded a very strong Long Patrol that was more than a thousand hares in number. Though her mood was unpredictable and her temper flared randomly, she was greatly respected and loved. Her weapon of choice was a fearsome pike with an axehead on one side and a sharpened hook on the other, which she forged herself.
As the sworn enemy of all Rapscallions, Cregga eventually killed the Greatrat leader Damug Warfang at the Battle of the Ridge of a Thousand. However, in the process she was permanently blinded by slashes inflicted by Damug.
Badger Mother of Redwall[]
After healing from the battle, the Cregga took up the position of Badger Mother at Redwall Abbey, where she lived out her seasons fairly peacefully.
Cregga Rose Eyes became the adopted mother of the young badger Russano, an orphan found by members of her Long Patrol who eventually succeeded her as Lord of Salamandastron. She was a guardian of Dibbuns and an invaluable source of wisdom and good advice.
Cregga was still warlike in demeanor, though not to same extent as in her younger seasons. During an attack from the Marlfoxes, she was injured. She also used a longbow, guided by Ellayo Swifteye, to slay the Marlfox Ascrod.
She lived through the Abbey leadership of Abbess Tansy, Abbot Arven, Abbess Songbreeze Swifteye (with whom she became great friends, and received a vision from Martin the Warrior about), and Abbess Mhera. There was a time period where there was no Abbot or Abbess in charge of the Abbey; during this gap she acted as temporary Abbess.
Near the end of her vast lifespan she took an arrow in the chest from the bow of Vallug Bowbeast and was fatally injured. It should be noted, however, that were it not for Cregga's extreme age at this time, it is possible and maybe even probable that she would have survived. A great feast was thrown in her honor and she died shortly afterward.
Trivia[]
- Cregga Rose Eyes lived a tremendously long life, spanning three Redwall novels. She is considered one of the oldest characters in the entire Redwall series.
- Cregga Rose Eyes is the only known Badger Mother to also serve as Abbess.
- Cregga Rose Eyes is the only known character to serve as Salamandastron ruler and Abbey leader.
- Cregga Rose Eyes is the last known Badger Mother in the Redwall series.
- Friar Butty said "It looks like our badger has lost an ear" following one of the battles of Marlfox, but it is not mentioned again so he may have been mistaken.