Tess Churchmouse
Tess Churchmouse was a female mouse. She was the daughter of John and Mrs. Churchmouse, twin sister of Tim Churchmouse, 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 with her brother.
Tess was kidnapped and enslaved by Slagar the Cruel in her childhood, which was 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 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.
Three seasons after returning to Redwall, Tess and Mattimeo married; Martin II was born shortly afterward.
Nelvana Redwall TV Series
[edit]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.
Trivia
[edit]- Watch Brian Jacques discuss Tess Churchmouse here.