Tess Churchmouse was the daughter of John and Mrs. Churchmouse and the twin sister of Tim Churchmouse; she was the wife of Mattimeo, mother of Martin II, and the daughter-in-law of Cornflower and Matthias.
Matthias and Sister Stephanie healed Tess and Tim from tail rickets as youths. She served as bell ringer at Redwall Abbey.
Tess was kidnapped and enslaved by Slagar the Cruel in her childhood, which is when she and Mattimeo bonded. As a slave, Tess and Auma were a major part in helping to escape, and assisted with cooling Mattimeo's temper. She would frequently check Mattimeo for his anger in response to Cynthia Bankvole's constant whining. Tess acted as spokesperson of the slaves in their bargaining with Scurl Droptail, and contributed to their escape in the gorge by her discovery of Wedgeback's dagger. She also recognized the maturity in Mattimeo after he had heard his father in the landslide. Though not a major participant in any conflicts, Tess was a great influence to Mattimeo, and extended her tender thoughts to him and the other woodlanders.
Nelvana Redwall TV Series[]
In the epilogue of the season one of the Nelvana Redwall TV Series, John Churchmouse claims to be Cornflower's father and Mattimeo's grandfather, which would make Tess the younger sister of Cornflower and the aunt of Mattimeo. As the two eventually wed, this is a continuity error.
In the first episode of season two, Mrs. Churchmouse is referred to as "the mother of Tess and Tim" by Slagar the Cruel, a potential correction.