Friar Soogum was a large, kind-hearted male vole, and the Friar of Redwall Abbey during the time of Abbess Marjoram. He was very humble and well-liked within the Abbey, and was a good friend of the Abbess. When the Redwallers had a Bard of Redwall contest, Friar Soogum was an unexpected entrant; up until that point, only his assistant Drull Hogwife knew he liked to sing. His entry, a song about the simplicity of a cook's life, was very well received; some beasts were even moved to tears.