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{{WPtargets}} | {{WPtargets}} | ||
{{WP-REAL|William V, Marquess of Montferrat}} | {{WP-REAL|William V, Marquess of Montferrat}} | ||
{{Quote|We'll see how sweet they are... the fruits of your labors. You do not free the cities as you believe, but damn them. And in the end, you'll have only yourself to blame. You who speak of good intentions...|William of Montferrat | {{Quote|We'll see how sweet they are... the fruits of your labors. You do not free the cities as you believe, but damn them. And in the end, you'll have only yourself to blame. You who speak of good intentions...|William of Montferrat|Assassin's Creed}} | ||
{{Character Infobox | {{Character Infobox | ||
|name = William of Montferrat | |name = William of Montferrat | ||
|image = willypng.png | |image = willypng.png | ||
|birth = 1136<br>[[Italy]] | |birth = 1136<br>[[Italy]]<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed: Encyclopedia]]''</ref> | ||
|death = 1191<br>[[Acre]], {{Wiki|Kingdom of Jerusalem}} | |death = 1191<br>[[Acre]], {{Wiki|Kingdom of Jerusalem}}<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> | ||
|period = High Middle Ages | |period = High Middle Ages | ||
|faction = [[Crusaders]]<br>[[Templars|Knights Templar]] | |faction = [[Crusaders]]<br>[[Templars|Knights Templar]]<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> | ||
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'' | |appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'' | ||
|voice = [[Harry Standjofski]]}} | |voice = [[Harry Standjofski]]}} | ||
'''William of Montferrat''' (1136 - 1191) was | '''William of Montferrat''' (1136 - 1191) was a Crusader in the army of King [[Richard I of England]] and, following the city's conquest, Regent of Acre. William was also, secretly, counted among those who considered themselves members in the publicly known, but little understood Monastic Military Order known as the [[Knights Templar]]; and as a result of this, he became the fifth target of the [[Levantine Assassins|Levantine Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Regent of Acre=== | ===Regent of Acre=== | ||
{{Quote|The city belongs to its people!|William of Montferrat | {{Quote|The city belongs to its people!|William of Montferrat|Assassin's Creed}} | ||
At some point during his life, William joined the | At some point during his life, William joined the Christian military order known as the Knights Templar. Despite the Order's public service of protecting pilgrims on the road to the Holy Lands; William became involved in the [[Grand Master]]s plot to usurp control of the Holy Land from both the warring Christians and Saracens. To this end, WIlliam became involved in [[Robert de Sable]]'s plan to obtain the legendary [[Apple of Eden 2|Apple of Eden]].<ref name="AC" /> | ||
It was during this time that William, in order to send a message to the enemies of the Templars, ordered the execution of 3,000 Saracen prisoners whom King Richard had planned to ransom. William was publicly denounced by the King, and the relationship fractured.<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> | |||
Eventually, his membership in De Sable's Order became known to the [[Assassins]] of [[Masyaf]] - sworn enemies of the Knights Templar - and as a result, he was chosen to be killed. As Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the chosen executioner of this plan, arrived in Acre to begin his [[investigation]] into William's life, he soon discovered that William was stealing food and money from the [[Civilians|citizens]]. The Assassin also learned of the ever growning divide between Richard and his Regent. | |||
Angered in turn by the public reprimands he had received, William returned to the citadel, and took his temper out on his men. In a corner of the keep, William began insulting his men, intending to encourage them towards a better performance, and a stronger sense of duty. To bring across his point, he had two men punished for laziness and dereliction of duty. | Altaïr later made his way to the front of the [[Acre Citadel|King's Citadel]], where he witnessed King and William arguing publicly. William expressed his fear that the King judged him too quickly, and did not trust him enough. Outraged by this, King Richard responded that he had left William as Acre's regent. William attempted to apologize, but Richard left in a fit of rage. | ||
Angered in turn by the public reprimands he had received, William returned to the citadel, and took his temper out on his men. In a corner of the keep, William began insulting his men, intending to encourage them towards a better performance, and a stronger sense of duty. To bring across his point, he had two men punished for laziness and dereliction of duty.<ref name="AC" /> | |||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
{{Quote|Everything I did, I did to prepare them for the [[New World Order|New World]].|William's final words | {{Quote|Everything I did, I did to prepare them for the [[New World Order|New World]].|William's final words|Assassin's Creed}} | ||
[[File:William_Assassination_5.png||thumb|250px|right|Altaïr assassinating William.]] | [[File:William_Assassination_5.png||thumb|250px|right|Altaïr assassinating William.]] | ||
Altaïr, who had followed William into the fortress, silently and skillfully eliminated the [[archers]] around the fortifications' perimeter. When William concluded his lecture, his men | Altaïr, who had followed William into the fortress, silently and skillfully eliminated the [[archers]] around the fortifications' perimeter. When William concluded his latest lecture, his men left, and he began looking through his papers. It was then that Altaïr leapt down and assassinated William with his [[Hidden Blade]].<ref name="The Secret Crusade">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> | ||
With his dying words, William told Altaïr that he had not been stealing resources from the citizens, but was simply stockpiling them to be distributed fairly in times of hardship. Altaïr remarked that he knew William intended to give the city to his son {{Wiki|Conrad of Montferrat|Conrad}} | With his dying words, William told Altaïr that he had not been stealing resources from the citizens, but was simply stockpiling them to be distributed fairly in times of hardship. Altaïr remarked that he knew William intended to give the city to his son {{Wiki|Conrad of Montferrat|Conrad}} - a remark William sneeringly denied - before being informed that William felt the city did not belong to anyone, but its people. | ||
Before Altaïr could ask any more questions, William perished, and the Assassin made his escape from the fortress. | Before Altaïr could ask any more questions, William perished, and the Assassin made his escape from the fortress."ref name="AC" /> | ||
==Characteristics and personality== | ==Characteristics and personality== | ||
Although not a giant of a man, William of Montferrat was nevertheless set in the belief that might makes right, and he spent countless hours training and berating his men, to prepare them for the "coming war." Oddly enough, few of his soldiers had actually joined King Richard's march to the [[Arsuf|Arsuf Plains]], leading people to wonder what "war" he spoke about. | Although not a giant of a man, William of Montferrat was nevertheless set in the belief that might makes right, and he spent countless hours training and berating his men, to prepare them for the "coming war." Oddly enough, few of his soldiers had actually joined King Richard's march to the [[Arsuf|Arsuf Plains]], leading people to wonder what "war" he spoke about. | ||
William constantly demanded perfection from his men, and was both quick to point out flaws and reluctant to give praise. He was often shouting, and rarely seemed happy. | As a strict taskmaster and disciplinarian,<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> William constantly demanded perfection from his men, and was both quick to point out flaws and reluctant to give praise. He was often shouting, and rarely seemed happy. Later, when two of his soldiers were caught whoring and drinking while on duty, he killed them as an example for the rest of his men.<ref name="The Secret Crusade" /> | ||
Later, when two of his soldiers were caught whoring and drinking while on duty, he killed them as an example for the rest of his men. | |||
==Final words== | ==Final words== | ||
| Line 58: | Line 57: | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*The choice of William as a target for Altaïr was probably inspired by the fact that, historically, his son Conrad was murdered by the Assassins in Tyre. In reality, William | *The choice of William as a target for Altaïr was probably inspired by the fact that, historically, his son Conrad was murdered by the Assassins in Tyre. In reality, William elderly man during the events of the game. | ||
*A glitch could occur in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' if William pursued Altaïr to the upper walls of citadel. From there, it would be possible to climb on top of the battlements and push him off into the sea below. A message would then announce the failure of the mission, since the target had "escaped." | *A glitch could occur in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' if William pursued Altaïr to the upper walls of citadel. From there, it would be possible to climb on top of the battlements and push him off into the sea below. A message would then announce the failure of the mission, since the target had "escaped." | ||
*Historically, William was actually the fifth named of Montferrat, and he was thus known as "William the Old" to differentiate him from his eldest son. | *Historically, William was actually the fifth named of Montferrat, and he was thus known as "William the Old" to differentiate him from his eldest son. | ||
*''Assassin's Creed'' producer [[Jade Raymond]] revealed that they had originally planned to have Conrad of Montferrat in the game. Their research indicated that he wasn't killed in 1191, but William, Conrad's father, was located in Acre in the same period. In order to maintain the historical accuracy of the project, William was inserted into the game instead. | *''Assassin's Creed'' producer [[Jade Raymond]] revealed that they had originally planned to have Conrad of Montferrat in the game. Their research indicated that he wasn't killed in 1191, but William, Conrad's father, was located in Acre in the same period. In order to maintain the historical accuracy of the project, William was inserted into the game instead. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 69: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{AC}} | {{AC}} | ||
[[de:Wilhelm von Montferrat]] | [[de:Wilhelm von Montferrat]] | ||
Revision as of 22:58, 22 October 2012
- "We'll see how sweet they are... the fruits of your labors. You do not free the cities as you believe, but damn them. And in the end, you'll have only yourself to blame. You who speak of good intentions..."
- ―William of Montferrat[src]
William of Montferrat (1136 - 1191) was a Crusader in the army of King Richard I of England and, following the city's conquest, Regent of Acre. William was also, secretly, counted among those who considered themselves members in the publicly known, but little understood Monastic Military Order known as the Knights Templar; and as a result of this, he became the fifth target of the Levantine Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.
Biography
Regent of Acre
- "The city belongs to its people!"
- ―William of Montferrat[src]
At some point during his life, William joined the Christian military order known as the Knights Templar. Despite the Order's public service of protecting pilgrims on the road to the Holy Lands; William became involved in the Grand Masters plot to usurp control of the Holy Land from both the warring Christians and Saracens. To this end, WIlliam became involved in Robert de Sable's plan to obtain the legendary Apple of Eden.[2]
It was during this time that William, in order to send a message to the enemies of the Templars, ordered the execution of 3,000 Saracen prisoners whom King Richard had planned to ransom. William was publicly denounced by the King, and the relationship fractured.[1]
Eventually, his membership in De Sable's Order became known to the Assassins of Masyaf - sworn enemies of the Knights Templar - and as a result, he was chosen to be killed. As Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the chosen executioner of this plan, arrived in Acre to begin his investigation into William's life, he soon discovered that William was stealing food and money from the citizens. The Assassin also learned of the ever growning divide between Richard and his Regent.
Altaïr later made his way to the front of the King's Citadel, where he witnessed King and William arguing publicly. William expressed his fear that the King judged him too quickly, and did not trust him enough. Outraged by this, King Richard responded that he had left William as Acre's regent. William attempted to apologize, but Richard left in a fit of rage.
Angered in turn by the public reprimands he had received, William returned to the citadel, and took his temper out on his men. In a corner of the keep, William began insulting his men, intending to encourage them towards a better performance, and a stronger sense of duty. To bring across his point, he had two men punished for laziness and dereliction of duty.[2]
Death
Altaïr, who had followed William into the fortress, silently and skillfully eliminated the archers around the fortifications' perimeter. When William concluded his latest lecture, his men left, and he began looking through his papers. It was then that Altaïr leapt down and assassinated William with his Hidden Blade.[3]
With his dying words, William told Altaïr that he had not been stealing resources from the citizens, but was simply stockpiling them to be distributed fairly in times of hardship. Altaïr remarked that he knew William intended to give the city to his son Conrad - a remark William sneeringly denied - before being informed that William felt the city did not belong to anyone, but its people.
Before Altaïr could ask any more questions, William perished, and the Assassin made his escape from the fortress."ref name="AC" />
Characteristics and personality
Although not a giant of a man, William of Montferrat was nevertheless set in the belief that might makes right, and he spent countless hours training and berating his men, to prepare them for the "coming war." Oddly enough, few of his soldiers had actually joined King Richard's march to the Arsuf Plains, leading people to wonder what "war" he spoke about.
As a strict taskmaster and disciplinarian,[1] William constantly demanded perfection from his men, and was both quick to point out flaws and reluctant to give praise. He was often shouting, and rarely seemed happy. Later, when two of his soldiers were caught whoring and drinking while on duty, he killed them as an example for the rest of his men.[3]
Final words
- Altaïr: Rest now. Your schemes are at an end.
- William: What do you know of my work?
- Altaïr: I know that you were going to murder Richard and claim Acre for your son, Conrad.
- William: (Laughing) For Conrad?! My son is an arse, unfit to lead his host, let alone a kingdom! And Richard? He also knows no better... blinded as he is by faith in the insubstantial. Acre does not belong to either of them.
- Altaïr: Then who?
- William: The city belongs to its people!
- Altaïr: How can you claim to speak for the citizens?! You stole their food, disciplined them without mercy, forced them into service under you!
- William: Everything I did, I did to prepare them for the "New World". Stole their food? No, I took possession, so that when the lean times came, it might be rationed properly. (coughs, choking). Look around: my district is without crime- save those committed by you and your ilk!- and as for the conscription, they were not being trained to fight: they were being taught the merits of order and discipline. These things are hardly evil.
- Altaïr: No matter how noble you believe your intentions, these actions are cruel and cannot continue!
- William: (Laughing) We'll see how sweet they are, the fruits of your labors. You do not free the cities as you believe, but rather damn them! And in the end, you'll have only yourself to blame... you, who speak of good intentions.
Trivia
- The choice of William as a target for Altaïr was probably inspired by the fact that, historically, his son Conrad was murdered by the Assassins in Tyre. In reality, William elderly man during the events of the game.
- A glitch could occur in Assassin's Creed if William pursued Altaïr to the upper walls of citadel. From there, it would be possible to climb on top of the battlements and push him off into the sea below. A message would then announce the failure of the mission, since the target had "escaped."
- Historically, William was actually the fifth named of Montferrat, and he was thus known as "William the Old" to differentiate him from his eldest son.
- Assassin's Creed producer Jade Raymond revealed that they had originally planned to have Conrad of Montferrat in the game. Their research indicated that he wasn't killed in 1191, but William, Conrad's father, was located in Acre in the same period. In order to maintain the historical accuracy of the project, William was inserted into the game instead.
Gallery
-
Altaïr observing William and Richard from the crowd. -
William talking to one of his guards. -
William with his men inside the Citadel.
References
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