Madeleine de L'Isle: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early life and marriage to Philippe=== | |||
{{Quote|You know my arrangement with Madeleine was... business. She convinced me... If the law was different...|Philippe, on his marriage with Madeleine, 1776.|Assassin's Creed III: Liberation}} | |||
The cherished daughter of a wealthy merchant family, Madeleine was born in New Orleans in 1732. At some point, she came into contact with the Templar Order and subsequently joined it, becoming a dedicated member.<ref name="AC3L">''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''</ref> Madeleine simultaneously endeavored to keep her secret identity unknown to her family.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref> | |||
In 1750, Madeleine became acquainted with Philippe de Grandpré, one of her father's business partners, to help him with his financial troubles. In order to benefit her own family's business, she spent the following year convincing Philippe to marry her, with the French merchant eventually acquiescing by August 1751. Unbeknownst to Philippe, however, Madeleine also used the marriage to conceal her Templar goals and her identity as the "Company Man".<ref name="AC3L"/> | |||
She subsequently moved into the [[De Grandpré Mansion|de Grandpré villa]], her presence putting a strain on the relationship between Philippe and Jeanne, his {{Wiki|Plaçage|plaçée}}, with whom he already had a daughter called Aveline. Despite the arrangement between Madeleine and Philippe, Aveline and her mother were permitted to stay at the mansion, receiving their own private quarters. Madeleine subsequently integrated herself into the family, becoming responsible for Aveline's education, while also employing Jeanne as her personal handmaid.<ref name="AC3L"/> | |||
===Excavation at Chichen Itza=== | |||
In 1757, Madeleine arranged for Aveline's mother [[Jeanne]] to be transported south to Mexico, allowing her to raise Aveline as her own. After discovering that Aveline had joined the [[Assassins]], Madeleine used her stepdaughter's relationship with the Assassin [[Mentor]] [[Agaté]] to uncover information relating to the Brotherhood's activities. This helped Madeleine secure the leadership of the Templar Order in Louisiana.<ref name="AC3L"/> | In 1757, Madeleine arranged for Aveline's mother [[Jeanne]] to be transported south to Mexico, allowing her to raise Aveline as her own. After discovering that Aveline had joined the [[Assassins]], Madeleine used her stepdaughter's relationship with the Assassin [[Mentor]] [[Agaté]] to uncover information relating to the Brotherhood's activities. This helped Madeleine secure the leadership of the Templar Order in Louisiana.<ref name="AC3L"/> | ||
In 1764, Madeleine discovered proof that a [[First Civilization]] [[prophecy Disks|artifact]] was located in [[Chichen Itza]], and devised a plan to divert slaves and vagrants from Louisiana and the Caribbean to a work camp there to excavate it. Meanwhile, she gave control over the operation to her right hand man, [[Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer]].<ref name="AC3L"/> | In 1764, Madeleine discovered proof that a [[First Civilization]] [[prophecy Disks|artifact]] was located in [[Chichen Itza]], and devised a plan to divert slaves and vagrants from Louisiana and the Caribbean to a work camp there to excavate it. Meanwhile, she gave control over the operation to her right hand man, [[Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer]].<ref name="AC3L"/> | ||
===Manipulating Aveline=== | |||
In 1773, after Madeleine's husband Philippe discovered her true identity and the interference of the Templars in his business, she poisoned him. Following this, in 1777, Aveline finally discovered that the "Company Man", the person she had been searching for, was in fact Madeleine; she returned to New Orleans at once and confronted her stepmother in their mansion. During the encounter, Madeleine reacted with amusement, as she revealed that she knew all along of Aveline's affiliations, and that the reason she was still alive was because Madeleine was in need of her skills.<ref name="AC3L"/> | In 1773, after Madeleine's husband Philippe discovered her true identity and the interference of the Templars in his business, she poisoned him. Following this, in 1777, Aveline finally discovered that the "Company Man", the person she had been searching for, was in fact Madeleine; she returned to New Orleans at once and confronted her stepmother in their mansion. During the encounter, Madeleine reacted with amusement, as she revealed that she knew all along of Aveline's affiliations, and that the reason she was still alive was because Madeleine was in need of her skills.<ref name="AC3L"/> | ||
===Death=== | |||
Afterwards, Aveline refused her order to stay and ran outside, where the Assassin began a brief skirmish with Madeleine's guards. Forthwith, Madeleine warned her stepdaughter to cease her struggling or she would die, and the Brotherhood with her; she then proceeded to question Aveline's motivations. Maintaining an air of hostility, Aveline retorted that Madeleine kept her slaves for her own selfish purposes, though Madeleine tried to convince Aveline that she had ended the operation and that de Ferrer did not represent the Templars when he abused his authority, so she allowed her to eliminate him, to Aveline's disbelief.<ref name="AC3L"/> | Afterwards, Aveline refused her order to stay and ran outside, where the Assassin began a brief skirmish with Madeleine's guards. Forthwith, Madeleine warned her stepdaughter to cease her struggling or she would die, and the Brotherhood with her; she then proceeded to question Aveline's motivations. Maintaining an air of hostility, Aveline retorted that Madeleine kept her slaves for her own selfish purposes, though Madeleine tried to convince Aveline that she had ended the operation and that de Ferrer did not represent the Templars when he abused his authority, so she allowed her to eliminate him, to Aveline's disbelief.<ref name="AC3L"/> | ||
Revision as of 03:29, 5 April 2014
- "You, who know so well the pain of a life lived in secret, shrouding your power in petticoats and lace, pretending obedience to men who deny you the right to your own abilities. Am I really so strange to you?"
- ―Madeleine, pointing to the similarities between her and Aveline, 1777.[src]
Madeleine de L'Isle (1732 - 1777) was the head Templar of Louisiana, operating under the alias of the "Company Man". Living in New Orleans, she was the first legally recognized, but actually second wife of the wealthy French merchant Philippe Olivier de Grandpré.
Having married Philippe in 1752 for the benefit of her family business, Madeleine was content to use the association to hide her Templar ambitions. After she discovered proof that a First Civilization artifact was located in Chichen Itza, Madeleine devised a plan to excavate it, the execution of which she entrusted to her right-hand man, Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer.
Simultaneously, she noticed the potential of her stepdaughter, Aveline de Grandpré, and decided to groom her for membership in the Templar Order. Manipulating Aveline's biological mother Jeanne into leaving New Orleans, Madeleine then adopted the role of doting stepmother.
When Aveline joined the Assassins in 1759, Madeleine was able to subtly gain information on the Brotherhood's activities, which allowed her to secure the leadership of the Templars in Louisiana.
Biography
Early life and marriage to Philippe
- "You know my arrangement with Madeleine was... business. She convinced me... If the law was different..."
- ―Philippe, on his marriage with Madeleine, 1776.[src]
The cherished daughter of a wealthy merchant family, Madeleine was born in New Orleans in 1732. At some point, she came into contact with the Templar Order and subsequently joined it, becoming a dedicated member.[1] Madeleine simultaneously endeavored to keep her secret identity unknown to her family.[2]
In 1750, Madeleine became acquainted with Philippe de Grandpré, one of her father's business partners, to help him with his financial troubles. In order to benefit her own family's business, she spent the following year convincing Philippe to marry her, with the French merchant eventually acquiescing by August 1751. Unbeknownst to Philippe, however, Madeleine also used the marriage to conceal her Templar goals and her identity as the "Company Man".[1]
She subsequently moved into the de Grandpré villa, her presence putting a strain on the relationship between Philippe and Jeanne, his plaçée, with whom he already had a daughter called Aveline. Despite the arrangement between Madeleine and Philippe, Aveline and her mother were permitted to stay at the mansion, receiving their own private quarters. Madeleine subsequently integrated herself into the family, becoming responsible for Aveline's education, while also employing Jeanne as her personal handmaid.[1]
Excavation at Chichen Itza
In 1757, Madeleine arranged for Aveline's mother Jeanne to be transported south to Mexico, allowing her to raise Aveline as her own. After discovering that Aveline had joined the Assassins, Madeleine used her stepdaughter's relationship with the Assassin Mentor Agaté to uncover information relating to the Brotherhood's activities. This helped Madeleine secure the leadership of the Templar Order in Louisiana.[1]
In 1764, Madeleine discovered proof that a First Civilization artifact was located in Chichen Itza, and devised a plan to divert slaves and vagrants from Louisiana and the Caribbean to a work camp there to excavate it. Meanwhile, she gave control over the operation to her right hand man, Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer.[1]
Manipulating Aveline
In 1773, after Madeleine's husband Philippe discovered her true identity and the interference of the Templars in his business, she poisoned him. Following this, in 1777, Aveline finally discovered that the "Company Man", the person she had been searching for, was in fact Madeleine; she returned to New Orleans at once and confronted her stepmother in their mansion. During the encounter, Madeleine reacted with amusement, as she revealed that she knew all along of Aveline's affiliations, and that the reason she was still alive was because Madeleine was in need of her skills.[1]
Death
Afterwards, Aveline refused her order to stay and ran outside, where the Assassin began a brief skirmish with Madeleine's guards. Forthwith, Madeleine warned her stepdaughter to cease her struggling or she would die, and the Brotherhood with her; she then proceeded to question Aveline's motivations. Maintaining an air of hostility, Aveline retorted that Madeleine kept her slaves for her own selfish purposes, though Madeleine tried to convince Aveline that she had ended the operation and that de Ferrer did not represent the Templars when he abused his authority, so she allowed her to eliminate him, to Aveline's disbelief.[1]
Madeleine insisted that she genuinely cared for Aveline but her stepdaughter angrily accused her of lying. She defended that she was trying to protect her and attempted to persuade Aveline to join the Templars. Aveline then confessed that she had disobeyed her Mentor, Agaté, stating that de Ferrer would still be alive if she had obeyed him. Madeleine then claimed this as proof that their goals were the same and repeated her offer.[1]
Ultimately, Aveline agreed and traveled to the bayou to confront Agaté. She later returned with his necklace as proof of his death, and Madeleine inducted her into the Templar Order inside Saint Louis Cathedral. Aveline then handed Madeleine the Prophecy Disk, the artifact she had recovered from Chichen Itza. However, Madeleine soon grew frustrated as the artifact failed to work as she had intended it to, allowing Aveline to strike, as her induction was merely a ploy to eradicate the Templar Order from within.[1]
Aveline eliminated all the Templars present and confronted Madeleine, who asked her why she had done what she had. Aveline responded by blaming Madeleine for having secretly killed her father with poison, enslaved her mother and attempted to force Aveline into the Templar Order. Madeleine insisted that it was for the benefit of humanity, but Aveline refused to serve her and assassinated Madeleine.[1]
Legacy
In the 21st century, the Templar corporate giant, Abstergo Industries attempted to vindicate her memory, naming her as an unappreciated abolitionist of slavery, and in their product, Liberation, deliberately omitted key events to validate her actions and Templar views.[1] In a file retrieved from a computer at their Montreal facility, Abstergo also claim that Aveline was an orphan that Madeleine took in.[3]
Characteristics and personality
Madeleine was an intelligent person, possessing a keen intellect and a sharp sense for business. She spoke cautiously, careful not to reveal herself through her actions or words. She was also especially skilled at manipulation, being able to control those around her in order to achieve her goals, in particular her stepdaughter Aveline, who she had secretly manipulated to groom her for induction into the Templar Order.[1]
Trivia
- Madeleine is a French variant of the name Magdalene, meaning "of Magdala", originally an Aramaic word meaning "tower". De l'Isle means "of the Island", "Isle" being an archaic script for "Île" meaning "Island", or a region isolated by marshes or rivers in Middle French.
Gallery
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Concept art of Madeleine in her Master Templar outfit
References
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