Tansy, Abbess

Gender: female

Species: hedgehog

Appears In: Pearls of Lutra and The Long Patrol

Mentioned In: Marlfox and The Taggerung




Tansy is a young resident of Redwall where she lives with her friends Arven (who, as a Dibbun, affectionately calls her "Tansy Pansy"), Craklyn, and Piknim. Despite her age she is often allowed to leave the Abbey unattended, something most youngsters are forbidden to do, and while out in the Quarry one day she and Arven accidentally discover Graylunk's skeletal remains. This find triggers the search for the Tears of all Oceans, and she receives at least two dreams from Martin who encourages her to look for the pearls but warns her that while she will find joy in her quest she will also find sorrow (the latter foreshadows Piknim's untimely death). She leads the search and the group eventually finds all six pearls which are needed to ensure a captured Durral's safety, however as the old Abbot has already been rescued by this time she throws the precious objects into the sea so they can no longer bring harm to anybeast. She later becomes Abbess, making her the first known member of her species to hold the title as well as the only known female hedgehog to rule Redwall, and during the events of The Long Patrol she assists in searching Kotir's ancient ruins. Her known successor is Arven.