Nicholas Biddle: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early life=== | ===Early life=== | ||
Nicholas was born in [[Philadelphia]] in the year 1750 to William Biddle and Mary Scull. At the age of thirteen, he journeyed on a voyage to the [[Caribbean|West Indies]], during which he was stranded on a desert island for two months.<ref> | Nicholas was born in [[Philadelphia]] in the year 1750 to William Biddle and Mary Scull. At the age of thirteen, he journeyed on a voyage to the [[Caribbean|West Indies]], during which he was stranded on a desert island for two months.<ref>{{WP|Nicholas Biddle (naval officer)}}</ref> In 1770, Biddle joined the British [[Royal Navy]], where he served as a junior officer.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Database: Nicholas Biddle]]</ref> During his time working for the British Crown, Biddle met [[Robert Faulkner]].<ref name="AC3">''Assassin's Creed III'' – {{Cite|30 June 2021. Memories needed}}</ref> | ||
Later, while in [[Martha's Vineyard]], Biddle was talking with [[Benjamin Church]], who intended to recruit him into the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. As the meeting progressed, Biddle first encountered [[ | Later, while in [[Martha's Vineyard]], Biddle was talking with [[Benjamin Church]], who intended to recruit him into the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. As the meeting progressed, Biddle first encountered the young [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]], and quickly exchanged an insult with Faulkner before the developing argument was cut short by [[Amanda Bailey]].<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
In 1775, Biddle resigned his commission to join the Continental Navy at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Following this, Biddle was given command of a [[schooner]] vessel, the ''[[Franklin]]'', and patrolled the naval convoy routes.<ref name="Database" /> | In 1775, Biddle resigned his commission to join the Continental Navy at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Following this, Biddle was given command of a [[schooner]] vessel, the ''[[Franklin]]'', and patrolled the naval convoy routes.<ref name="Database" /> | ||
===Reign of the East Coast=== | ===Reign of the East Coast=== | ||
Biddle devised a plan with his Templar co-conspirators in the British Navy, ultimately aiming to strengthen and expand the Continental Navy under his command for the Templar cause. Biddle sent Templar [[ | Biddle devised a plan with his Templar co-conspirators in the British Navy, ultimately aiming to strengthen and expand the Continental Navy under his command for the Templar cause. Biddle sent Templar [[ship]]s to attack merchant vessels in Martha's Vineyard and to occupy [[Fort Phoenix]], despite its lack of strategic value.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
From there, Biddle pleaded and tricked the [[Continental Congress]] into believing that the British Navy was a threat to the Colonial coast. As a result, the Congress commissioned more ships for the Continental Navy, and by 1776, the Congress made Biddle the captain of a frigate, the ''[[USS Randolph|Randolph]]''.<ref name="AC3" /> | From there, Biddle pleaded and tricked the [[Continental Congress]] into believing that the British Navy was a threat to the Colonial coast. As a result, the Congress commissioned more ships for the Continental Navy, and by 1776, the Congress made Biddle the captain of a frigate, the ''[[USS Randolph|Randolph]]''.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
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[[File:ACIII-Frenchinvolvement 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Biddle aboard the ''Randolph'']] | [[File:ACIII-Frenchinvolvement 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Biddle aboard the ''Randolph'']] | ||
The ''[[Aquila]]'', captained by | The ''[[Aquila]]'', captained by Ratonhnhaké:ton, came to ''La Belladonna''{{'}}s defense before the ships attacked. The two vessels then destroyed the formation of Templar ships, while Biddle observed the battle safely from a distance.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
In 1778, in order to remove | In 1778, in order to remove Ratonhnhaké:ton as a threat to his plans, Biddle patrolled the Caribbean coast, successfully luring the ''Aquila'' into a trap. In this encounter, the ''Randolph'' attacked the ''Aquila'' with the aid of two [[Men o' War]]. However, the ''Aquila'' destroyed the Men o' War and successfully disabled the ''Randolph''{{'}}s mast with a single broadside of chained cannonballs.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
Following this, | Following this, Ratonhnhaké:ton and the ''Aquila''{{'}}s crew boarded and attacked the ''Randolph'', during which Ratonhnhaké:ton confronted Biddle on the quarterdeck, causing both crews to cease fighting and watch as the two captains dueled, with Biddle furiously vowing to make Ratonhnhaké:ton suffer for the damage dealt to the ''Randolph''.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
{{Quote|Wait. Let the Randolph die with me. Don't take her as a prize. Please. Please. I want no quarter, just to sink with my ship.|Biddle's final words to | {{Quote|Wait. Let the Randolph die with me. Don't take her as a prize. Please. Please. I want no quarter, just to sink with my ship.|Biddle's final words to Ratonhnhaké:ton.|Assassin's Creed III|Biddle's Hideout}} | ||
[[File:ACIII-Biddlehideout 5.png|thumb|250px|Biddle dueling Ratonhnhaké:ton]] | |||
Ratonhnhaké:ton overpowered Biddle, until Biddle fired a shot at a gunpowder keg, causing both of them to fall below deck. The two soon continued their duel, with Ratonhnhaké:ton emerging victorious and wounding Biddle. While dying, Biddle justified his actions by claiming that he benefited and empowered the Continental Navy. He rebuked the Assassins, calling Ratonhnhaké:ton a fool for not understanding or accepting his goals.<ref name="AC3" /> | |||
With his final words, Biddle asked | With his final words, Biddle asked Ratonhnhaké:ton not to take the ''Randolph'' as a prize, instead allowing him to die and sink with his ship. Ratonhnhaké:ton granted this request and left, igniting several barrels of gunpowder behind him, destroying the ''Randolph''.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
==Personality and characteristics== | ==Personality and characteristics== | ||
Biddle was a capable, experienced, brave and proud individual, which showed itself in his nautical achievements. He also viewed himself as a "man of vision", and was ambitious, charismatic and arrogant to the point that he saw himself as becoming Admiral of the entire Continental Navy.<ref name="AC3" /> | Biddle was a capable, experienced, brave and proud individual, which showed itself in his nautical achievements. He also viewed himself as a "man of vision", and was ambitious, charismatic and arrogant to the point that he saw himself as becoming Admiral of the entire Continental Navy.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
Because of this, Biddle was a well admired and respected captain; not only did he lead successful campaigns, he kept morale and his crew's efficiency high by fairly sharing the spoils of victory, not through corporal punishment. Rather than allow his ship to be captured, he convinced | Because of this, Biddle was a well admired and respected captain; not only did he lead successful campaigns, he kept morale and his crew's efficiency high by fairly sharing the spoils of victory, not through corporal punishment. Rather than allow his ship to be captured, he convinced Ratonhnhaké:ton to let him sink with his ship.<ref name="AC3" /> | ||
===Equipment and skills=== | ===Equipment and skills=== | ||
Biddle | Biddle had a great handling of the sword and the pistol, which he used to great effect in his duel against Ratonhnhaké:ton, he was able to neutralize his opponent's attacks preventing any counterattack attempts. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Out of all the Templar portraits in the [[Davenport Homestead]] manor, Biddle's was not crossed out after his death. | *Out of all the Templar portraits in the [[Davenport Homestead]] manor, Biddle's was not crossed out after his death. | ||
*Despite the fact that Biddle's portrait appeared on the wall in the cellar when | *Despite the fact that Biddle's portrait appeared on the wall in the cellar when Ratonhnhaké:ton was first shown it, he failed to recognize him at [[Martha's Vineyard]]. | ||
*While Biddle's assassination did not take place within the main storyline of ''Assassin's Creed III'', the naval sequence in which he featured was required for the full [[synchronization]] of | *While Biddle's assassination did not take place within the main storyline of ''Assassin's Creed III'', the naval sequence in which he featured was required for the full [[synchronization]] of Ratonhnhaké:ton's memories. | ||
*Biddle's first vessel was a schooner, the ''Franklin'', which had been named after [[Benjamin Franklin]]. | *Biddle's first vessel was a schooner, the ''Franklin'', which had been named after [[Benjamin Franklin]]. | ||
*When Ratonhnhaké:ton is fighting Biddle, Biddle remarks at how [[Haytham Kenway]] would reward him greatly for ridding him of the Assassin. However, historically, Biddle died off the coast of [[Barbados]] on March 17, 1778 instead of in [[the Bahamas]] as presented in-game, while Connor and Haytham's alliance did not end until three months later on June 17, 1778. | |||
*When | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center"> | <gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center"> | ||
ACIII-HardWay 6.png| | ACIII-HardWay 6.png|Ratonhnhaké:ton confronting Church and Biddle | ||
ACIII-HardWay 7.png|Amanda Bailey breaking up Faulkner and Biddle's argument | ACIII-HardWay 7.png|Amanda Bailey breaking up Faulkner and Biddle's argument | ||
ACIII-Biddlehideout 6.png|Biddle firing at a powder keg | ACIII-Biddlehideout 6.png|Biddle firing at a powder keg | ||
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[[Category:Continental Army]] | [[Category:Continental Army]] | ||
[[Category:Patriots]] | [[Category:Patriots]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Templars]] | ||
[[Category:Colonial Templars]] | [[Category:Colonial Templars]] | ||
Revision as of 00:03, 1 July 2021
Nicholas Biddle (1750 – 1778) was one of the first captains of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War, and a member of the Colonial Rite of the Templar Order.
Biography
Early life
Nicholas was born in Philadelphia in the year 1750 to William Biddle and Mary Scull. At the age of thirteen, he journeyed on a voyage to the West Indies, during which he was stranded on a desert island for two months.[1] In 1770, Biddle joined the British Royal Navy, where he served as a junior officer.[2] During his time working for the British Crown, Biddle met Robert Faulkner.[3]
Later, while in Martha's Vineyard, Biddle was talking with Benjamin Church, who intended to recruit him into the Templar Order. As the meeting progressed, Biddle first encountered the young Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, and quickly exchanged an insult with Faulkner before the developing argument was cut short by Amanda Bailey.[3]
In 1775, Biddle resigned his commission to join the Continental Navy at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Following this, Biddle was given command of a schooner vessel, the Franklin, and patrolled the naval convoy routes.[2]
Reign of the East Coast
Biddle devised a plan with his Templar co-conspirators in the British Navy, ultimately aiming to strengthen and expand the Continental Navy under his command for the Templar cause. Biddle sent Templar ships to attack merchant vessels in Martha's Vineyard and to occupy Fort Phoenix, despite its lack of strategic value.[3]
From there, Biddle pleaded and tricked the Continental Congress into believing that the British Navy was a threat to the Colonial coast. As a result, the Congress commissioned more ships for the Continental Navy, and by 1776, the Congress made Biddle the captain of a frigate, the Randolph.[3]
Biddle continued patrolling the Colonial coast and naval trade routes while orchestrating British attacks with his Templar co-conspirators. The Randolph attacked Nantucket, claiming it was a British Loyalist post when it had actually sided with the Continental Army, in an attempt to further convince the Congress that more ships were needed. Biddle also planned to boost his reputation and service record in order to be promoted to the rank of Admiral over the entire Continental Navy fleet.[3]
Soon after, the Randolph was assigned to escort La Belladonna, a French ship providing aid to the Continental war drive. However, the Randolph abandoned La Belladonna to be attacked and seized by Templar ships.[3]
The Aquila, captained by Ratonhnhaké:ton, came to La Belladonna's defense before the ships attacked. The two vessels then destroyed the formation of Templar ships, while Biddle observed the battle safely from a distance.[3]
In 1778, in order to remove Ratonhnhaké:ton as a threat to his plans, Biddle patrolled the Caribbean coast, successfully luring the Aquila into a trap. In this encounter, the Randolph attacked the Aquila with the aid of two Men o' War. However, the Aquila destroyed the Men o' War and successfully disabled the Randolph's mast with a single broadside of chained cannonballs.[3]
Following this, Ratonhnhaké:ton and the Aquila's crew boarded and attacked the Randolph, during which Ratonhnhaké:ton confronted Biddle on the quarterdeck, causing both crews to cease fighting and watch as the two captains dueled, with Biddle furiously vowing to make Ratonhnhaké:ton suffer for the damage dealt to the Randolph.[3]
Death
Ratonhnhaké:ton overpowered Biddle, until Biddle fired a shot at a gunpowder keg, causing both of them to fall below deck. The two soon continued their duel, with Ratonhnhaké:ton emerging victorious and wounding Biddle. While dying, Biddle justified his actions by claiming that he benefited and empowered the Continental Navy. He rebuked the Assassins, calling Ratonhnhaké:ton a fool for not understanding or accepting his goals.[3]
With his final words, Biddle asked Ratonhnhaké:ton not to take the Randolph as a prize, instead allowing him to die and sink with his ship. Ratonhnhaké:ton granted this request and left, igniting several barrels of gunpowder behind him, destroying the Randolph.[3]
Personality and characteristics
Biddle was a capable, experienced, brave and proud individual, which showed itself in his nautical achievements. He also viewed himself as a "man of vision", and was ambitious, charismatic and arrogant to the point that he saw himself as becoming Admiral of the entire Continental Navy.[3]
Because of this, Biddle was a well admired and respected captain; not only did he lead successful campaigns, he kept morale and his crew's efficiency high by fairly sharing the spoils of victory, not through corporal punishment. Rather than allow his ship to be captured, he convinced Ratonhnhaké:ton to let him sink with his ship.[3]
Equipment and skills
Biddle had a great handling of the sword and the pistol, which he used to great effect in his duel against Ratonhnhaké:ton, he was able to neutralize his opponent's attacks preventing any counterattack attempts.
Trivia
- Out of all the Templar portraits in the Davenport Homestead manor, Biddle's was not crossed out after his death.
- Despite the fact that Biddle's portrait appeared on the wall in the cellar when Ratonhnhaké:ton was first shown it, he failed to recognize him at Martha's Vineyard.
- While Biddle's assassination did not take place within the main storyline of Assassin's Creed III, the naval sequence in which he featured was required for the full synchronization of Ratonhnhaké:ton's memories.
- Biddle's first vessel was a schooner, the Franklin, which had been named after Benjamin Franklin.
- When Ratonhnhaké:ton is fighting Biddle, Biddle remarks at how Haytham Kenway would reward him greatly for ridding him of the Assassin. However, historically, Biddle died off the coast of Barbados on March 17, 1778 instead of in the Bahamas as presented in-game, while Connor and Haytham's alliance did not end until three months later on June 17, 1778.
Gallery
-
Ratonhnhaké:ton confronting Church and Biddle -
Amanda Bailey breaking up Faulkner and Biddle's argument -
Biddle firing at a powder keg -
Biddle's final moments
Appearances
References
- ↑
Nicholas Biddle (naval officer) on Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed III – Database: Nicholas Biddle
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Assassin's Creed III – [citation needed]