Bella the Badger

Lore & Background

Bella of Brocktree is first mentioned as a resident of Redwall Abbey alongside Abbess Meriam. When the infant ferret Veil is brought to the Abbey after being found in a ditch, Bella and Abbess Meriam decide together to entrust the baby to the care of Bryony, a young mousemaid, and Togget, her sensible mole friend. As Veil grows into a young adult, his true vermin nature begins to show through—he steals, lies, and is generally unpleasant to all, especially his adopted mother Bryony. Bella eventually banishes Veil from the Abbey when he attempts to poison Friar Bunfold (a hedgehog drinks the poisoned water instead and dies). Later, after the climactic events at the mountains east of Salamandastron, Bryony and Togget return to Redwall alone. Sunflash remains at Salamandastron and does not return to Redwall; Bella never sees her son again and dies many seasons later.

In Their Own Story

Bella of Brocktree's role in *Outcast of Redwall* centers on her decisions regarding the young ferret Veil. When the infant is retrieved from a ditch by good-hearted woodlanders and brought to Redwall Abbey, Bella and Abbess Meriam determine his fate: they entrust the baby to Bryony and Togget. As the seasons turn and Veil grows into a young adult, his behavior worsens—he steals, lies, and is unpleasant to all, especially Bryony. Bella, as the Abbey's authority, banishes Veil after his failed attempt to poison Friar Bunfold. Later, after Sunflash kills Swartt Sixclaw and returns to Redwall with Bryony and Togget, Bella is reunited with her son Sunflash for the first time since his childhood. She stays with him until her death many seasons later.

Reader's Guide

Bella of Brocktree appears at Redwall Abbey during the events of *Outcast of Redwall*. She is a badger who, alongside Abbess Meriam, makes the decision to entrust the infant ferret Veil to Bryony and Togget. Later, after Veil attempts to poison Friar Bunfold, Bella banishes him from the Abbey. Near the end of the story, Sunflash—her son—returns to Redwall after killing Swartt Sixclaw. Bella is reunited with Sunflash for the first time since he was a child, and she stays with him until her death many seasons later. Her defining moments are her role in Veil's upbringing and banishment, and her long-awaited reunion with her son.

Did You Know?

• Bella of Brocktree is the mother of Sunflash the Mace, the badger lord of Salamandastron.
• She and Abbess Meriam together decided to entrust the infant ferret Veil to Bryony and Togget.
• Bella banished Veil from Redwall Abbey after he attempted to poison Friar Bunfold—a hedgehog died from drinking the poisoned water.
• Sunflash never returned to Redwall as an adult; he remained at Salamandastron after killing Swartt Sixclaw.
• Bella died many seasons after her son's departure, never having seen him again.