Ironbeak, General

Gender: male

Species: raven

Appears In: Mattimeo




Ironbeak is the large leader of a flock consisting of crows, rooks, and magpies that reside in the Northlands. He is cruel, intelligent (despite this he almost always looks to Mangiz for counsel), extremely arrogant, possesses a hot temper, and a cowardly bully even though he claims to be a fearsome fighter. After becoming tired of their cold home he leads his flock south where Quickbill discovers Redwall, and they infiltrate Warbeak Loft by killing the old and young. He becomes obsessed with conquering the place and attempts to kidnap Rollo but is stopped by May who then raises the alarm, however he later snatches up them both and Cornflower before demanding the Redwallers surrender unless they want to see the trio die. Thanks to Mordalfus's quick thinking he manages to buy at least some time so they can conceive a plan to rescue their friends, and Ironbeak's three best foragers are captured. The raven is forced to agree to a hostage exchange but tricks the woodlanders (or as he calls them, "earthcrawlers") and has his army steals supplies as well as conquer the briefly-empty Dormitories and Infirmary; this causes the Redwallers to retreat to Cavern Hole where Foremole's crew dig various tunnels to secretly access various regions of the Abbey. He is told by Mangiz about the importance of Martin's tapestry and is advised to steal it, but the birds are stopped when the woodlanders attack. Some time later his army is spooked by an armoured mouse - really Cornflower dressed up as Martin with Constance providing the voice - which appears to be the same one clouding Mangiz's visions, however Ironbeak does not believe in this and viciously beats any bird (including his Seer) who speaks of it. He later spots Constance putting the armour away in the Gatehouse and seizes the opportunity to stop her, as the birds fear her for her bravery and strength. After locking her inside he leads his flock into Cavern Hole where they surprise the Redwallers and imprison them inside their own home. Just as he is about to kill May for defying him when Stryk - who had previously been attacked by the birds before being rescued and nursed back to health by the woodlanders - suddenly appears and goes after him upon seeing her friend in danger. Mangiz attempts to gather the rooks but is killed by Constance, and Ironbeak fights Stryk in an aerial battle before being slain by her. Any birds who survive are outfitted with a special collar that prohibits them from flying too high, then given their freedom.