The Tapestry, The Sable Quean, by Sean Rubin
The Redwall Tapestry of Martin the Warrior symbolizes the honor, strength, and heart of Redwall Abbey. Greatly prized by the Abbey residents, it hangs in the Great Hall, an idea which came from Columbine. Since its original weaving, successive Abbey generations have added to the tapestry.
The long tapestry showcases Martin the Warrior, wearing armor while leaning on his sword, surrounded by vermin, inclusive of foxes, rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels, and wildcats, who are fleeing him. While original accounts described Martin as located in the bottom right-hand corner, he was later described as appearing in the center of the tapestry. Behind it, Martin hid a riddle clue as to the location of his tomb.
The Redwall tapestry is surrounded by two fluted half-columns on either side, flat against the wall, that are used to hold small iron lanterns. These lanterns light up the image at night, and are refilled by the Abbey Recorder.
Many Redwallers talk to the depiction of Martin, as they believe his spirit is a part of the tapestry. It was originally a small woven figure of Martin the Elder Warrior, Martin's paternal grandfather, and somehow passed down to his mother Sayna, probably from Luke the Warrior. Vurg and Beau then gave it to Martin.
Later, Redwall inhabitants expanded the tapestry under the supervision of Brother Hubert based on sketches of Martin found in the Gatehouse. The process took more than three and a half seasons.
Occasionally, vermin have attempted to steal the tapestry. Cluny the Scourge sent his hordebeast Shadow inside the Abbey to successfully extract Martin's image from it. He then used it as his battle flag. Eventually, Basil Stag Hare and Jess Squirrel were able to recover it, and Methuselah made sewing repairs.
Another incident happened when the entire tapestry was stolen by the Marlfoxes Ascrod, Vannan, Dakkle, and Beelu; it was recovered by Songbreeze Swifteye, Dannflower Reguba, Dippler, and Burble.
In Pearls of Lutra, the tapestry was the hiding place of one of the Tears of all Oceans.
In the Nelvana Redwall TV Series, the tapestry depicts events predicted from the future, such as Cluny fighting the Redwallers.
Books[]
The Redwall tapestry appears in all books except Lord Brocktree, Martin the Warrior, Mossflower, and Outcast of Redwall.
