Edward Braddock

Template:WPtargets

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article three months after release.

"...He killed and killed. Enemy or ally. Civilian or soldier. Guilty or innocent. It mattered not...If he perceived one to be an obstacle, they died. He maintained that violence was a more efficient solution. It became his mantra...and it broke my heart."

―Haytham Kenway.

Edward Braddock (January 1695 – 13 July 1755), also known as The Bulldog by his soldiers, was a member of the Templar Order and a General in the British Army.

Biography

Early life

Braddock became a soldier in the British Army and a member of the Templar Order, during which he became a close acquaintance and friend to Haytham Kenway. They both participated in the Siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1747. Haytham and Braddock made their way to a small boat in retreat, but were approached by a man and his family begging to join them for safe passage. Haytham consented, however, Braddock selfishly refused to allow them to board, causing the man to become distraught and attempted to forcibly make his way to the boat. In response, Braddock murdered the man and his children.

Braddock and Haytham fought in several other campaigns, however, Braddock became increasingly violent and cruel to the point that he ruthlessly killed civilians and even his own allies, much to Haytham's shock and chargin. Haytham and Braddock drifted apart and Braddock became less concerned with severing the Templar Order, turning away from their ideals and goals.

Braddock eventually became a General in the British Army and was sent to the British Colonies in America, where he became the Governor of over thirteen colonies. Among his regiment, Braddock's reputation and blood lust for violence earned him the nickname, the Bulldog.

The French and Indian War

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Wolves often travel in packs."

―Braddock to Haytham.

Braddock with Haytham, Charles Lee and John Pitcairn.

In 1754, Braddock was stationed in Boston, and under his command was Charles Lee. Braddock noticed John Pitcairn's unauthorized presence in Boston and had him arrested and charged for desertion and treason. Haytham and Lee arrived, revealing that both Lee and Pitcairn were in Haytham's service under Templar orders. Braddock reluctantly consented to give Lee to Haytham, but bitterly denied releasing Pitcairn and escorted him to be executed.

In a plan to retrieve Pitcairn, Lee followed and pretended to be an angry citizen against the Redcoats, provoking Braddock into a chase by throwing horse manure on him. Lee lured Braddock and his men to a dead end, which allowed him, Haytham, and Pitcairn to attack and eliminate Braddock's patrol. Haytham spared Braddock before warning him that he would kill him in their next encounter, leaving Braddock humiliated and furious.

The Braddock Expedition

"The French will leave or they will die!"

―Braddock to Washington.

Haytham holding Braddock at gunpoint.

As conflict and territorial disputes between the British and the French colonies escalated, Braddock was given given command of two regiments and was assigned to retake Fort Duquesne from the French. In order to navigate through the frontier, Braddock enlisted George Washington, a volunteer from the Virginia Militia, as a guide.

In the winter of 1754, the French offered a truce, which Braddock refused. Instead, Braddock continued on his offensive, determined to defeat and drive the French from the land. While rallying his troops and supplies, Braddock attacked several Native American villages, driving the inhabitants out of their land. As a result, Braddock became an enemy of several Iroquois clans, whom Haytham would eventually join forces with in plan to murder Braddock.

Death

"Your death opens a door. It's nothing personal. Well, maybe it is a LITTLE personal. You've been a pain in my arse, after all."

―Haytham upon killing Braddock.

The expedition continued on until July of 1755, during which Braddock killed one of his own soldiers after accusing him of treasonous and insubordinate behavior. Braddock was then approached by Haytham, disguised as a British soldier, holding him at gunpoint. The expedition was then ambushed and attacked by Iroquois warriors, devastating and killing many Redcoats.

In the resulting chaos, Braddock attempted to flee on horseback while Haytham chased. Washington briefly came to Braddock's defense, but was subdued by a Kanien'kehá:ka woman. Haytham chased Braddock on foot, quickly catching up and impaling him with his Hidden Blade. Haytham admitted to Braddock that he killed him out of necessity, but also had a personal motivation in killing him. Haytham departed, taking Braddock's Templar Ring from his finger.

Braddock's body was later discovered by Washington, who proceeded to carry the body away, eventually burying it under a road in the Great Meadows, preventing the Native Americans and the French from finding and desecrating the body.

Personality

"Were that we applied the sword more liberally and more often, the world would be a better place than it is today."

―Braddock.

Braddock was originally described by Haytham as brave and bold, perhaps implying he was also a well respected and honorable man during their years as brother in arms. However, Braddock changed into a definitive ruthless and violent man, driven by the belief that force was necessary to ensure resolution and success. His reliance on force resulted in indiscriminate killings of even civilians and his own allies.

Braddock was quick tempered and cruel, he applied strict discipline to the point of brutality against his own soldiers. As a result, Braddock maintained loyalty through fear and intimidation rather than through respect and heroism. His aggressive and violent tendencies resulted in contempt for non-British soldiers, for example he displayed intense hatred for the French and even killed those who expressed opposite sentiments. Ultimately, Haytham gave up on the hope that Braddock could be redeemed and showed no remorse in killing his former ally and friend.

Final Words

Braddock's final moments.

• Edward: Why, Haytham?
• Haytham: Your death opens a door. It's nothing personal. Well, maybe it is a LITTLE personal. You've been a pain in my arse, after all.
• Edward: But we are brothers in arms.
• Haytham: Once, perhaps. No longer. Do you think I've forgotten what you did? All those innocents slaughtered. And for what? It does not engender peace to cut your way to resolution.
• Edward: Wrong! Were that we applied the sword more liberally and more often, the world would be a better place than it is today.
• Haytham: In this instance, I concur.

Gallery

• 
  Haytham warning Braddock.
• 
  Haytham taking the Templar ring from Braddock.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed III