Mossflower, Published in 1988 by Brian Jacques, Philomel Books

"Generations before the building of Redwall Abbey, all Mossflower bowed to the will of Tsarmina - the wildcat Queen of a Thousand Eyes. With unrelenting cruelty, her ruthless army terrorizes the woodlands - until the fabled coming of Martin the Warrior. A remarkable mouse, Martin vowed to end forever the evil feline's oppressive reign - journeying to the perilous Mountain of Dragons to reforge a mighty weapon...and to prepare for the terrible battle that would mean the salvation - or destruction - of Mossflower Woods."

This book goes way back before Redwall Abbey. It shoes the courage of Matin, and it explains why Redwall creatures would look to his guidance thousands of seasons later.

Redwall, Published in 1986 by Brian Jacques, Philomel Books

Redwall, Brian Jacques first book, was published in 1986. Here is and introduction to his fabled story:

"Welcome to Mossflower Wood, where the gentle mice have gathered to celebrate a year of peace and abundance. All is well...until a sinister shadow falls across the ancient stone abbey of Redwall. It is rumored that Cluny is coming - Cluny, the terrible one-eyed rat and his savage horde - Cluny, who has vowed to conquer Redwall Abbey! The only hope for the besieged mice lies in the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior. And so the epic quest of a bumbling young apprentice - a courageous mouse who would rise up, fight back...and become a legend himself."

From there, Brian Jacques wrote the Redwall Series, boasting over 20 books and over 20,000,000 copies sold worldwide.

I think this is Brian Jacques' best book. The tale is truly captivating. He includes the bases for all the stories he wrote latter, from the Gousim to the courage and boldness of hares.