Sword of Martin
{{#SQuote: |id=7 |text=Always use the sword to stand for good and right, never do a thing you would be ashamed of, but never let your heart rule your mind. |speaker=Luke the Warrior }}
{{#SQuote: |id=8 |text=You must always remember what a sword is really made for. It has only one purpose, to slay. In the paws of the wrong beast it could become an awful thing, if 'twere used for evil purposes. As the Warrior who is privileged to carry the sword, I am honor bound to uphold two things: the safety of Redwall, and the memory of my father. |speaker=Martin the Warrior }}
The Sword of Martin the Warrior, also known as Ratdeath, was a legendary blade used to maintain peace and defend Redwall Abbey against foes.
First known to be wielded by Martin the Elder, it was originally a weapon that wasn't too special, consisting of a normal steel blade, a red pommel stone, and a leather strap. The sword also had a scabbard.
Sword of Martin History
[edit]The Sword of Martin was originally owned by Martin the Elder and passed down to his son, Luke the Warrior. Later, just before sailing after Vilu Daskar, Luke bequeathed the sword to his son, Martin. When Martin was captured by Badrang the Tyrant, the latter possessed the sword for a short period of time until Martin reclaimed it and traveled south into Mossflower Woods. The sword, now rusty with age, was broken by Tsarmina Greeneyes at Kotir. Martin carried the broken hilt around his neck during his quest to Salamandastron. There, it was re-forged by Boar the Fighter using star metal to become a magnificent weapon that included a red pommel stone and "three-quarter" blood channels, or fullers, each of which ran down three-quarters of the blade on either side. It was re-strapped with black leather, and included a silver crosspiece.
Martin wielded the sword to defeat Tsarmina, bringing safety and freedom to Mossflower. He then vowed to hang it up, however he used it again after he traveled back to the Northlands.
When Martin's father gave him the sword, he stated that if Martin should have no offspring to whom to bestow it, he should hide the blade where only a brave, true warrior could find it. In compliance with this, Martin again vowed to hang up his sword and instructed Krar Woodwatcher to hang the weapon from the weathervane of Redwall Abbey after he decided to live a life of peace. He also left a coded poem specifically for Matthias divulging the sword's hidden location on the weathervane in his underground tomb.
However, Martin went on one more quest seasons later, and likely had the sword taken down. After his death, he was buried as a warrior with the sword, foreseeing where it would eventually end up. Seasons later, the Spirit of Martin guided Simeon to the weapon in Martin's tomb. Simeon left the sword with Dandin, and the younger mouse accompanied Mariel Gullwhacker to the isle of Terramort to battle Gabool the Wild.
After that endeavor, Rufe Brush took the sword up to the Redwall Abbey weathervane, where it remained attached until a bolt of lightning brought it down next to Samkim and Arula. It was stolen by Dingeye and Thura, and later came into the possession of Dethbrush. After dueling with Dethbrush, Samkim temporarily lost the sword to the Deepcoiler. Mara retrieved the sword and returned it to Samkim, who brought it back to Redwall. Wild King MacPhearsome then restored it to its rightful place on the weathervane.
The sword was later stolen by King Bloodfeather of the Sparra tribe. His successor, King Bull Sparra, lost it to Asmodeus. Asmodeus possessed the sword at The Quarry until Matthias retrieved it and killed the adder. Abbot Mortimer named the sword "Ratdeath" after Matthias defeated Cluny the Scourge. From that point, the sword was displayed near the tapestry of Martin the Warrior, and various defenders of the Abbey have continued to wield it from time to time.
During the time of badger mother Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, the sword was hung on the wall in her personal quarters until Dannflower Reguba was appointed Abbey Champion. Some time after Reguba's service as Champion, but prior to Deyna, the sword was hung over the Tapestry. Deyna, as Abbey Warrior, used the sword to fight the Juska tribe. After some time, it was passed to Triss, who took it to Riftgard to free slaves. The sword was taken out again to help Bragoon and Sarobando find a cure for Martha Braebuck's inability to walk. It was carried back to Redwall by Fenna, who became Abbess by fulfilling a prophecy. Later, Sister Armel took the sword to Rakkety Tam MacBurl.
Hundreds of seasons later, the sword was stolen from the Abbey by a watervole, but it was then taken from him by Magger. Captain Vizka Longtooth killed him, and took the sword for himself. It was retrieved for the Abbey by Salixa.
Nelvana Redwall TV Series
[edit]
In the Nelvana Redwall TV Series, the phrase "I am that is", commonly associated with Martin, is engraved on the blade and visible during Season 1 and Season 2.
In the Season 3 episodes Felldoh's Revenge and Battlefield Marshank, Felldoh briefly wields the sword after seizing it from Badrang. Martin also renounces the use of the sword and leaves for the south without it in the finale, Rose of Noonvale.
Known Wielders of the Sword of Martin
[edit]The following consists of anyone who ever possessed the Sword of Martin, inclusive of good characters and vermin or otherwise unfriendly characters.
| # | Name | Gender | Species | Villain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin the Elder Warrior | Male | Mouse | — |
| 2 | Luke the Warrior | Male | Mouse | — |
| 3 | Martin the Warrior | Male | Mouse | — |
| 4 | Badrang the Tyrant | Male | Stoat | ✔ |
| 5 | Gonff the Mousethief | Male | Mouse | — |
| 6 | Dandin | Male | Mouse | — |
| 7 | Mariel Gullwhacker | Female | Mouse | — |
| 8 | Snidjer | Male | Weasel | ✔ |
| 9 | Catseyes | Male | Rat | ✔ |
| 10 | Dingeye | Male | Stoat | ✔ |
| 11 | Dethbrush | Male | Fox | ✔ |
| 12 | Samkim | Male | Squirrel | — |
| 13 | King Bloodfeather | Male | Sparrow | ✔ |
| 14 | King Bull Sparra | Male | Sparrow | ✔ |
| 15 | Asmodeus Poisonteeth | Male | Adder | ✔ |
| 16 | Matthias | Male | Mouse | — |
| 17 | Jess Squirrel | Female | Squirrel | — |
| 18 | Malkariss | Male | Polecat | ✔ |
| 19 | Mattimeo | Male | Mouse | — |
| 20 | Martin II | Male | Mouse | — |
| 21 | Abbot Arven | Male | Squirrel | — |
| 22 | Dannflower Reguba | Male | Squirrel | — |
| 23 | Log-a-Log Dippler | Male | Shrew | — |
| 24 | Deyna | Male | Otter | — |
| 25 | Skipper | Male | Otter | — |
| 26 | Trisscar Swordmaid | Female | Squirrel | — |
| 27 | Bragoon | Male | Otter | — |
| 28 | Hortwill Longblade Braebuck | Male | Hare | — |
| 29 | Abbess Fenna | Female | Squirrel | — |
| 30 | Shard | Male | Fox | ✔ |
| 31 | Rakkety Tam MacBurl | Male | Squirrel | — |
| 32 | Melanda MacBurl | Female | Squirrel | — |
| 33 | Grumpy Watervole | Male | Watervole | ✔ |
| 34 | Magger | Male | Weasel | ✔ |
| 35 | Vizka Longtooth | Male | Fox | ✔ |
| 36 | Orkwil Prink | Male | Hedgehog | — |
| 37 | Laird Bosie McScutta of Bowlaynee | Male | Hare | — |
| 38 | Clarinna | Female | Hare | — |
| 39 | Uggo Wiltud | Male | Hedgehog | — |
| 40 | Posybud | Female | Hedgehog | — |
| 41 | Jum Gurdy | Male | Otter | — |
Statistics
[edit]Total number of known sword wielders: 41
- 34 Males
- 7 Females
- 12 Villains
- 9 Mice: Martin the Elder Warrior, Luke the Warrior, Martin the Warrior, Gonff the Mousethief, Dandin, Mariel Gullwhacker, Matthias, Mattimeo, Martin II
- 8 Squirrels: Samkim, Jess Squirrel, Abbot Arven, Dannflower Reguba, Trisscar Swordmaid, Abbess Fenna, Rakkety Tam MacBurl, Melanda MacBurl
- 4 Otters: Deyna, Skipper, Bragoon, Jum Gurdy
- 3 Hares: Hortwill Longblade Braebuck, Laird Bosie McScutta of Bowlaynee, Clarinna
- 3 Hedgehogs: Orkwil Prink, Uggo Wiltud, Posybud
- 3 Foxes: Dethbrush, Shard, Vizka Longtooth
- 2 Stoats: Badrang the Tyrant, Dingeye
- 2 Weasels: Snidjer, Magger
- 2 Sparrows: King Bloodfeather, King Bull Sparra
- No moles ever wielded the Sword of Martin.
Known Characters Killed Directly by the Sword of Martin
[edit]These characters were killed by the Sword of Martin. All of them were villains.
Worth noting, Martin used the sword, freshly re-forged, to slay numerous sea rats from Ripfang's crew.
| # | Name | Species | Killed By | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reynard Chopsnout | Fox | Luke the Warrior | The Legend of Luke |
| 2 | Badrang the Tyrant | Stoat | Martin the Warrior | Martin the Warrior |
| 3 | Riptung | Rat | Dandin | Mariel of Redwall |
| 4 | Skrabblag | Scorpion | Dandin | Mariel of Redwall |
| 5 | Dingeye | Stoat | Dethbrush | Salamandastron |
| 6 | The Deepcoiler | Water serpent | Samkim | Salamandastron |
| 7 | Asmodeus Poisonteeth | Adder | Matthias | Redwall |
| 8 | Frogblood | Rat | Matthias | Redwall |
| 9 | Killconey | Ferret | Matthias | Redwall |
| 10 | Vallug Bowbeast | Ferret | Deyna | Taggerung |
| 11 | Eefera | Weasel | Deyna | Taggerung |
| 12 | Zassaliss | Adder | Trisscar Swordmaid | Triss |
| 13 | Zwilt the Shade | Sable | Clarinna | The Sable Quean |
| 14 | Badtooth | Weasel | Uggo Wiltud | The Rogue Crew |
Statistics
[edit]Total number of known direct sword deaths: 14
- 3 Snakes: Asmodeus, Zassaliss, the Deepcoiler
- 2 Rats: Riptung, Frogblood
- 2 Ferrets: Killconey, Vallug Bowbeast
- 2 Stoats: Badrang the Tyrant,
- 2 Weasels: Eefera, Badtooth
- No birds, wildcats, toads, pine martens, or wolverines were killed by the Sword of Martin.
- Book with the most sword deaths: Redwall
- Sword wielder with the most kills: Matthias
Trivia
[edit]- Watch Brian Jacques discuss the history of the Sword of Martin here.
- The name "Ratdeath" was only used in the book Redwall. It was seemingly retconned out of the series.
- Columbine uses the sword to slice cake.