From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General Ironbeak is a character from Mattimeo by Brian Jacques.

A raven from the harsh northlands, General Ironbeak came south and attempted to conquer Redwall Abbey. He met opposition in the form of Redwall's hardy residents, most particularly Cornflower and Constance Badger. Not about to give up, General Ironbeak pressed his efforts.

General Ironbeak was a clever strategist, and commanded an army of rooks, magpies and similar birds. His closest advisor was his crow Seer, Mangiz. He fought long and hard, determined to claim his "red stone house." However, most of his plans, such as kidnapping several Redwallers, stealing the Redwall tapestry, and imprisoning Constance proved useless.

Ironbeak was also thwarted by the Redwallers' ingenious warfare. Diversionary tactics, sneak attacks, sleeping potions, and the repeated appearance of the 'ghost' of Martin the Warrior served to demoralize his troops and push Ironbeak into fits of rage. His troops continued to infuriate him with tales that he did not believe, having not witnessed them himself.

Eventually, Ironbeak managed to break through the Redwallers' last defenses and capture most of them. Threatening the Abbot, he was attacked by a Sister of Redwall. About to kill her, he received a great shock: out of Redwall's cellars came flying the "earthcrawlers'" newest ally and Ironbeak's worst nightmare, a massive bird named Stryk Redkite. Overwhelmed by her superior size and power, Ironbeak was slain.

After Ironbeak's death, the rest of his army quickly collapsed. Mangiz was killed by a blow from Constance, and when the other Redwallers were done, only three birds remained from Ironbeak's horde. These three were sent into exile wearing metal rings, which would serve to identify them, impede their flight and prevent them from harming another creature ever again.

Ironbeak was voiced by Wayne Best on the animated TV series and by Paul Greene in the full-cast audiobook.