Methuselah (Redwall)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Methusaleh is an old mouse in the Brian Jacques novel Redwall. He aids Matthias in the finding of the sword of Martin the Warrior but is later killed by the fox Chickenhound. He likes to think himself as an aged but erudite scholar.
"Aged" is correct; Methuselah is the oldest member of Redwall, hence his name. He has seen many an Abbot (and presumably, many an Abbess) come and go; has seen the Summer of the Late Rose thrice; and has spent untold years studying the languages of all animals, as well as the history of Redwall and Mossflower Country. He is a Recorder, and therefore the Gatekeeper, because the two positions have remained together since the foundation of the Abbey. Only after many years is the Recorder separated from the Gates. Methuselah took a special interest in the saga of Martin the Warrior, consequently taking interest in Matthias, in whom he saw many of the traits that distinguish a hero.
Methuselah met his death in the fulfilment of his duty, in that he was restoring a tear in the tapestry of Martin the Warrior when Chickenhound (later Slagar) struck him over the head with a heavy sack, killing him unintentionally.
Later, one of the two new Redwall bells was named after Methuselah, in his remembrance.
Some fans believe that the unnamed "mousebabe" in The Bellmaker was Methuselah.
Methuselah was voiced by Colin Bean in the full-cast audiobook.