Speedwell is a rabbit who originated from Sandleford Warren, where he was an outskirter. He leaves the warren with Hazel and several others to start their own warren. He is very good friends with Acorn.
He appears in the books Watership Down and Tales from Watership Down, but he has not appeared in any of the adaptations.
Books
Watership Down
When first introduced, he and Acorn are described as "thin-looking six monthers, with the strained, wary look of those only too well used to the thin end of the stick." It is most likely that he agrees to go with Hazel because of ill-treatment as outskirters rather than believing Fiver's prophecy. At one time during the dangerous journey, he wants to go back to Sandleford Warren along with Hawkbit and Acorn, but they are forced to continue on by Bigwig.
Speedwell is subsequently characterized as an energetic, easy-going joker. According to Dandelion, he tells almost as many jokes as Bluebell. He also seems to be quick and observant, often scouting for danger. Along with Hawkbit, he takes the advice of the mouse about good feeding sites. He is one of the rabbits who helps free the hutch rabbits at Nuthanger Farm, and even participates in the fight with the cat. Later, he accompanies the others on the expedition to rescue does from Efrafa. At one point, he helps Boxwood dig a hole.
He is very excited when Clover has a healthy litter. During the siege of Watership Down, he makes a loyal and hard-working contribution to the defense of the warren against General Woundwort by listening to the Efrafans digging through the sounds conducted by the roots of the Honeycomb.
Tales from Watership Down
He is asked to tell a story as he often made jokes. As such, he narrates one of the short stories in Tales from Watership Down, the nonsense tale "Speedwell's Story."
Trivia
- As of the graphic novel, Speedwell is the only rabbit who left Sandleford to never appear in any visual adaptation. While he was sketched for the graphic novel, he ultimately never made it into the book.
Gallery
