"Blood isn't everything. Loyalty is everything. And Ravenpaw has been more loyal to me than you could be in a hundred lifetimes." |
— Barley to Hoot and Jumper in The Heart of a Warrior, page 83 |
Barley is a black-and-white tom with blue eyes.[8]
Barley is an old loner who lives on a farm on the edge of WindClan's territory in the old forest. He was born into BloodClan alongside his siblings, Violet, Hoot, and Jumper, and lived in relative fear and seclusion. He broke Scourge's rules by staying in touch with Violet, and after she was attacked by their brothers, renamed Snake and Ice, Barley took her to a kittypet and escaped to settle down in a barn. Barley was friendly with the Clans, and when Ravenpaw escaped ThunderClan with help from Firepaw and Graypaw, he joined Barley in the barn and they grew incredibly close. He assisted LionClan during the battle against BloodClan, and aided in dealing with the leftover members, including Ice and Snake. He and Ravenpaw helped each other to overcome their pasts.
Barley, nervous around crowds and preferring his life as a loner to that of a Clan cat, constantly worried that Ravenpaw would leave him to rejoin the Clans, but Ravenpaw continuously proved his loyalty to Barley. When the Clans left for the lake territories, he and Ravenpaw saw them off. They later followed Bella and Riley, two of Violet's kits, to SkyClan, and Barley mourned when Ravenpaw died after a fight with kittypets. He returned to the barn by himself afterwards and lived alone for many moons. He eventually reunited with Rileypool and Bellaleaf, giving the journeying SkyClan cats directions to the other Clans and allowing Cherrytail and Cloudmist to take refuge with him for a few moons until they later moved on with some of their kin. When Graystripe left ThunderClan a long time later, he reconnected with Barley. The two toms exchanged their greetings, and Barley confessed that he misses Ravenpaw every day and is waiting to join him. He is currently in touch with the cats of WarriorClan.
History[]
Looking for a shorter overview? Find one here!
The Prophecies Begin[]
- "Thanks for sending Ravenpaw to me. He's turning into a fine ratter. And it's good to share a meal with a fellow cat from time to time."
- ―Barley to Fireheart Fire and Ice, page 73
The New Prophecy[]
- "Don't mind Barley. It's not often we have so many visitors all at once."
- ―Ravenpaw to Brambleclaw Midnight, page 159
A Vision of Shadows[]
- "How'd you like to help me hunt while they share their news? You look like you'd make a good ratter."
- ―Barley to Molewhisker Darkest Night, page 130
Super Editions[]
This section summarizes Barley's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- "I'm so sorry to hear what happened to you. And sorry too that your vision must mean that Firestar is dead. I can point you in the direction Ravenpaw told me the Clans went, but I don't know anything beyond that. The days when Ravenpaw and I lived alongside the Clans seem such a long time ago now."
- ―Barley to Leafstar Hawkwing's Journey, chapter 24
- "Every day, every heartbeat. But it's easier now. I know my time is near, and whatever path Ravenpaw's spirit walks, soon I will walk beside him."
- ―Barley to Graystripe about Ravenpaw Graystripe's Vow, page 291
Novellas[]
This section summarizes Barley's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- "I'm so sorry. I should never have tried to stop you from helping Violet's kits. You are brave, and generous, and I don't deserve you..."
- ―Barley to Ravenpaw Ravenpaw's Farewell, chapter 6
Ravenpaw's Path[]
- "You worthless piles of manure! Do you think I'm blind? Did you think I'd let you treat Ravenpaw like that? This is his home too! You don't belong here. Get out."
- ―Barley to his brothers The Heart of a Warrior, page 82
- The pair arrive in ThunderClan, and Firestar initially refuses to help them since BloodClan's former members are terrorizing his own warriors as well. Barley, a former member of BloodClan himself, is also reluctant to fight back due to the fear of old memories resurfacing. Ravenpaw encourages him, however, and so the two seek out Violet for assistance. Violet, along with her friend Mitzi, reveal the location of BloodClan's new hideout. Barley is horrified to discover that his brothers, Snake and Ice, are BloodClan's new leaders. He and Ravenpaw help ThunderClan chase them out.
- A few days later, Firestar leads a patrol with Graystripe, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Brackenfur, and Bramblepaw to help Barley and Ravenpaw get their barn back. Their first try results in failure, as Snake, Ice, and other ex-members of BloodClan are in hiding at the farm. However, their second attempt, this time with aid from dogs, results in success. Barley allows his brothers, renamed Hoot and Jumper, to stay out of loyalty. Despite having previously promised to cause no trouble, they start to order Ravenpaw around, and Ravenpaw grows frustrated with Barley's lack of assertiveness. Barley finally stands up for Ravenpaw and for himself, and orders his kin to leave the farm for good.
Detailed description[]
- Barley is a short,[9] long-furred,[10] sturdy[11] black-and-white tom.[1] He has a plump belly,[9] big paws,[12] broad shoulders,[13] and a broad face.[14] He has blue eyes and a pelt streaked gray with age.[15]
Character pixels[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art[]
Please do not edit this gallery |
Kin[]
Members[]
Partner:
Mother:
- Unnamed she-cat:[18] Status unknown
Brothers:
Sister:
Nephews:
Grandniece:
- Wrenflight:[21] Living (As of Thunder)
Grandnieces/nephews:
- Two unnamed kits:[22] Deceased, residence unknown
Tree[]
Unnamed ♀ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ravenpaw ♂ | Barley ♂ | Violet ♀ | Hoot ♂ | Jumper ♂ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rabbitleap ♂ | Bellaleaf ♀ | Rileypool ♂ | Lulu ♀ | Patch ♂ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wrenflight ♀ | Two kits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Appearances[]
- Moth Flight's Vision (Vision or Dream)
- Yellowfang's Secret
- Onestar's Confession
- Into the Wild (First appearance)
- Fire and Ice
- Forest of Secrets
- Rising Storm (Mentioned only)
- Tigerclaw's Fury (Allegiance only)
- A Dangerous Path (Allegiance only)
- The Darkest Hour
- Blackfoot's Reckoning (Allegiance only)
- Firestar's Quest
- Graystripe's Vow (Then) (Allegiance only)
- Shattered Peace
- A Clan in Need
- The Heart of a Warrior
- Midnight
- Moonrise (Allegiance only)
- Dawn
- Starlight (Mentioned only)
- Sunset (Mentioned only)
- Warrior's Refuge (Flashback only)
- Warrior's Return
- Ravenpaw's Farewell
- Bramblestar's Storm (Mentioned only)
- Hawkwing's Journey
- Pebbleshine's Kits (Mentioned only)
- Shattered Sky (Mentioned only)
- Darkest Night
- Graystripe's Vow (Now)
- Secrets of the Clans (Retconned)
- Code of the Clans
- The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition
Trivia[]
Author statements[]
- Vicky believes that Barley will not go to StarClan when he dies,[23] as he lacks the necessary faith.[24] Kate, however, believes that he'll live just on the outskirts of StarClan.[blog 1]
- Vicky has stated that Ravenpaw and Barley loved each other and their life together.[16]
Interesting facts[]
- Ravenpaw and Barley would rather die than let BloodClan take over the barn, and they are safely in control of it.[25]
- Barley is likely one of the oldest cats in the series, as he appears in Yellowfang's Secret,[26] and seen still alive in Graystripe's Vow.[15]
Mistakes[]
- He has been mistakenly called tall.[13]
- The Warriors App erroneously states that Barley killed Spottedleaf instead of Clawface.[27]
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon or retconned.
- On Vicky's Facebook, Barley was approximately one year old when he moved into the barn in Yellowfang's Secret.[28]
- In Secrets of the Clans, a 2007 field guide, Barley lives with his sister, Violet, despite Scourge's law prohibited cats from living together and caring for each other. Scourge discovers what the two had been doing, and as punishment, Violet is brutally attacked by Ice and Snake, her other two brothers, and Barley is forced to watch. Barley discovers that his sister is still alive, and he immediately takes her to a nearby dwelling, where he meets a kittypet named Fuzz. After Barley is assured that his sister is safe, he leaves the forest, and makes a home in a Twoleg barn, where he lives the rest of his life in peace. He also has an unnamed mother.[29]
Quotes[]
- Main article: Barley/Quotes
External links[]
- Blood Isn't Everything on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- We Hunt to Survive on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Which Warrior is Worthy - The Return on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- More Ways to Live on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! A Warrior's Spirit: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Where it all began on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The Forest Map: ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The forest map: WindClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Warrior Cats books that will make you cry on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Fan content[]
- Results of the May 2023 fan challenge + new challenge announcement on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Winners of the Valentine's Day card fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior of the Week Gallery #54 - Barley on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #54) (backup link)
- Our Favorite Barley Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite loners artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Revealed in Into the Wild, page 183
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 249
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in A Clan in Need, page 35
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, pages chapter 9-10
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 210
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Ravenpaw's Path, page 91
- ↑ Revealed in A Clan in Need, page 77
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Path, page 10
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 47
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Path, page 12
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, chapter 1
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, chapter 7
- ↑ Revealed in Hawkwing's Journey, page 273
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Revealed in Graystripe's Vow, chapter 19
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Revealed on Vicky's Facebook (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, chapter 9
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 247
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Revealed in Ravenpaw's Path, page 153
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Revealed in Ravenpaw's Farewell, chapter 2
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, chapter 2
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Answers Your Questions Summer 2011
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 34
- ↑ Revealed in the Warriors App
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans
Author references
BloodClan cats | |
---|---|
Leaders | Scourge • Claw • Fury • Snake • Ice |
Deputy | Bone |
Members | Brick • Hoot • Jumper • Jaggedtooth • Minty • Pounce • Snapper • Snipe • Tess • Willie |
Former members | Barley • Violet • Boulder • Gremlin • Scraps |