Silk

Fine silk

Silk is a natural fiber, some forms of which can be woven into fabrics. It is often used for clothing and armor, being comfortable and somewhat more resistant than cotton-based textiles.

The most common source of silk is produced from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori larvae. First discovered in China, the cocoons were illegally brought to other countries such as India, and later Europe. It was an extremely lucrative resource that could be found in many places across the world, especially in the series of trade routes known as the Silk Road.

History

9th century

Circa 870, Sigurd Styrbjornson of the Raven Clan was ambushed by a swordsmith named Tekin, seeking revenge for his brother, who was killed by Norsemen for his silks.

Rafik's market stall

Crusades

During the time of the Third Crusade, the bureau leader of Damascus, Rafik, also held the unassuming cover job of a silk merchant.

Renaissance

During the Reconquista, the Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins used silk in order to create various accessories and pieces of armor.

While in Rome, Ezio Auditore procured silk as a favor for the tailor of Tiber Island, receiving in return a large quiver for his crossbow bolts.

By 1524, Shao Jun and her Mentor Zhu Jiuyuan fled from China to escape the purge of the Chinese Assassins by the Eight Tigers, Templar eunuchs who controlled the courts of the Jiajing Emperor. They arrived in Venice, stashed aboard a Portuguese ship transporting porcelain and silk.

17th century

In 1682, English silk merchant John Balch acquired the rights from King Charles II to hold a market in the Spitalfields neighborhood in London every Thursday and Saturday. The market later proved to be popular and became much more developed.

18th century

After moving to the Davenport Homestead with her daughter Maria, Ellen asked Ratonhnhaké:ton to retrieve some valuable bolts of silk they'd left in their old storefront in New York for she couldn't go herself in fear of her life. Ratonhnhaké:ton agreed and returned with the bolts, to her gratefulness.

19th century

In the Victorian era, silk figured heavily in the gear used by twin Assassins Evie and Jacob Frye, most notably in their Assassin Gauntlets and in her capes. Much of the silk acquired by the twins was from helping Ned Wynert hijack cargo from his primary opposition, the Templar-affiliated Blighters.

Behind the scenes

Silk is used for crafting in both Assassin's Creed: Syndicate and Assassin's Creed: Rebellion.

Gallery

• 
  Evie Frye's Orange Silk Cloak
• 
  Evie Frye's Flame Silk Cloak

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy
• Assassin's Creed III
• Assassin's Creed: Memories (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Song of Glory
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)
• Discovery Tour: Viking Age (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: The Golden City
• Assassin's Creed: Mirage (mentioned in Database entry only)