Simon Hathaway

Patience, brothers. Soon we will reveal the secrets of Assassin's Creed: Heresy. This article has been identified as being out of date. Please update the article to reflect recent releases and then remove this template once done.

"This is what the Templar Order should be! A weapon when needed, and an inspiration at all times. A light for humanity when it needs it the most. This was Jacques de Molay's goal."

―Simon Hathaway's speech to the Inner Sanctum after retrieving the Sword of Eden, October 2016

Professor Simon Hathaway (born 1980s) is a British Templar historian and, as of October 2016, the head of Abstergo Industries' Historical Research Division and member of the Inner Sanctum of the Templar Order.

Biography

Early life and career

Simon was born into the Templar Order; his parents were both members of the Order, as was his grandmother, who worked in the background of Winston Churchill's war office. He followed the footsteps of those before him as he pursued on his career as a historian. He attended Cambridge and afterwards worked in Abstergo Industries' Historical Division under his fellow Cantabrigian Isabelle Ardant.

In 2004, he entered into a romantic relationship with his fellow Templar Anaya Chodary—then a field agent. However, their work and devotion to the Order eventually kept the two apart and ended their relationship, one that only lasted a single year.

Later, Ardant became impressed by his work and mentioned him several times in her files, catching the attention of the CEO and Grand Master Alan Rikkin. This served crucial during the Inner Sanctum's hunt for Ardant's replacement. At some point, Hathaway went hiking in the Scottish Highlands and climbed Ben Nevis.

Induction to the Inner Sanctum

"I have learned that genuine knowledge only comes to those who truly hunger for it. I have learned that power must be wielded by those above the fray, for only they can see the interweaving of the pattern. And I have learned that wisdom is the execution of power guided by knowledge and understanding."

―Hathaway's answer to the Induction's question of what he had learned as a Templar

Hathaway was inducted to the Inner Sanctum in October 2016. Upon taking his position in the Inner Sanctum, Hathaway gave a presentation to its other members in which he put forward his belief that the Animus was not being used to its full potential in their search for Pieces of Eden and Assassins. Seeing the methods such as those by Abstergo Entertainment—which utilized people largely ignorant of the significance of what they witnessed in the past—as more data gathering rather than application of knowledge, Hathaway argued that greater work could be done in less time by sending a Templar like himself into the past who could appreciate the greater context of what they saw and therefore discover clues that others simply didn't know to look out for.

To that end, he put forth a theory that the Sword of Eden which had become damaged as it was passed down through history from Grand Masters Jacques de Molay and François-Thomas Germain to the Assassin Arno Dorian and eventually into the office of Alan Rikkin himself was the very same weapon wielded by Jeanne d'Arc during the Hundred Years' War. It was Hathaway's belief that by exploring the memories of his ancestor Gabriel Laxart, who fought besides Jeanne d'Arc, he would be able to observe the Sword's abilities firsthand and thereby have the opportunity to reactivate them in the present day.

Restoring the Sword of Eden

Day 1

Rikkin gave Hathaway a deliberately tight one-week schedule to test this new direction that the professor wanted the Historical Research Division to take and assigned Victoria Bibeau to assist him, a move which immediately reduced the timeline to six days as Bibeau needed to fly in to London from the Aerie.

Day 2

He was officially introduced to her during their meeting in Simon's favorite restaurant, Tempest in the Teapot, where they discussed the Bleeding Effect. He also had to summarize the Hundred Years' War and Joan of Arc's involvement to the uninformed Bibeau, much to his annoyance.

During their ride to the Historical Research division, the pair encountered Anaya, who was now Abstergo's ethical hacker, in the lift. Initially shocked, the two later shared a friendly conversation which included the whereabouts of one of Simon's jumpers though he merely replied to donate it to Oxfam, and they parted ways. This was commented upon by Bibeau, who Simon learned shared the same views on romance as him. They continued on to the technician Amanda Sekibo to strap him in the Animus.

With his first attempt in the Animus, he violently desynchronized during Gabriel's first meeting with Joan. Bibeau later realized, from the chemicals released from Hathaway's brain, that the cause was not Simon himself, but the teenage romantic attraction of his ancestor to the maiden. After more observations, he realized that Gabriel and Joan had extraordinary amounts of Isu DNA, and that their ally Jean de Metz was an Assassin.

Desynchronizing from the Animus again after his excitement of finding an Assassin overloaded the signal. Aware of the growing potential of his project to both the history of the Assassin-Templar War and DNA tracking, Simon became more confident that Rikkin would start having interests. Simon and Bibeau also discussed the ancestor of the late Warren Vidic, Geoffroy Thérage, Jeanne's executioner. Simon noted that not many people liked or missed Vidic. Bibeau then advised Simon to go home and rest, to which he initially complained about but eventually complied.

Day 3

The next morning, Simon came in early to work after a restless sleep. After Bibeau arrived, Simon then gave her exposition on Joan getting an audience with Robert de Baudricourt. When reliving Gabriel's journey to Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, Simon had a hunch where the Sword was. While on break, Simon and Anaya met up and she told him of the new job she applied for. Simon is happy for her, but couldn't help lingering feelings coming back to him. Back to work, Simon theorized to Bibeau that Joan may have been in contact with the Isu Consus. When reliving his ancestor's memories again, Simon caught a quick glimpse of what he assumed to be the French Assassin's Mentor, but could not identify them.

After learning that his ancestor was an Assassin ally, Simon was disgusted. However, after seeing the graffiti of Jacques de Molay in the Fort Coudray of Château de Chinon, he sour mood lightened. He marveled at the opportunity to have it analyzed by Zachary Morgenstern in Cryptology. After several hours in the Animus, Bibeau was ready to pull Simon out. His vital signs were starting to concern Bibeau. With the Sword so close in sight, Simon was adamant to continue. Victoria reluctantly agreed but warned him she will pull him out at the first sign of danger.

Simon resumed Gabriel's memories and found the Sword of Eden. At that moment, however, Simon passed out. He awoke to Bibeau, Sekibo, and two other technicians standing over him. Eager to resume he is stopped by Bibeau, who insists he have a rest day. Simon refuses although to no effect. Bibeau suggested to email Rikkin the next day asking for an extension and explaining the current situation. Left with no other option, Simon agreed to go home.

In the cab on his way to his flat in Kensington, Simon received a text from Anaya informing him that she got the job, and replied that he was happy for her. Closing his eyes to rest a while, he started suffering from early onsets of the Bleeding Effect, seeing Latin and hearing French when he slept. He was jolted from his sleep when the cab driver called to him, expressing concern. Simon looked pale, and the driver offered to help him to his flat. Simon denied the need for assistance, and after tipping the driver, entered his flat. After a hot shower, Simon saw Gabriel's reflection in the mirror for a mere second.

Day 4

After a stressful night he had overslept, Simon met with Victoria expressing his frustration at not being able to send Rikkin the email. His interactions with Victoria become snappy, although he apologized for it. Trying to organize to meet with Rikkin via his secretary, it became impossible as Rikkin was planning a trip to Madrid, Spain. This news frustrated Simon, who insisted that they continue working.

Back in the Animus, Simon relived Gabriel training in Assassin techniques from de Metz. Simon jokingly noted to Victoria about how all the training could make him as chiseled as an Adonis. After training heavily inside the simulation for a whole day in Gabriel's time, Simon was taking a short break in the Memory Corridor. Brushing aside Victoria's comment about wanting to switch sides, he continued onward. Training how to use the Hidden Blade through Gabriel, Simon felt his hesitance about taking a life, Gabriel soon received a letter from Jeanne, detailing her activities in Poitiers, including her upcoming meeting with Queen Yolande, mother-in-law to the Dauphin. Victoria asked if Simon needed a break but he declined. Some days later inside the simulation, Jeanne greeted Gabriel and de Metz, and when handed her Sword, it lit up in her hands, they realized its potential in winning the war. Simon also realized that they were on the right track and that was the Sword of Eden they were after.

Simon then sent the drafted email he'd done up previously to Rikkin, outlining their progress, requesting to personally examine the sword, and asking for an extension. Several hours later, Rikkin responded, agreeing to the sword examination but denying the extension, emphasizing the need for focus.

After Victoria pulled him out of the Animus, Simon marveled at the Sword's reaction to Joan's touch. After a break and a shower, he headed to Tempest in a Teapot to meet with Victoria, ordering a drink as he waited. Noticing a change in the serving staff, his favorite waiter Poole had since been replaced by Lyndsey, he encountered Anaya and her replacement, Benjamin Clarke, an American. Simon navigated the interaction, subtly sharing information about tea. Victoria arrived, sending a coded text about Rikkin's message.

Despite his frustration, Simon gained access to the Sword and vowed to share Joan's reaction with Rikkin. The breakfast discussion hinted at a Templar connection for Ben, leading Simon to promise him a city tour. As Simon left, Anaya sought a talk but was deferred. Returning to the Animus Room, a mysterious package awaited him—Piece of Eden 25, devoid of any significant energy. Undeterred, Simon delved back into the Animus, determined to uncover the French Assassin Mentor's identity. Eventually, Gabriel accompanied Jeanne to see the Queen of Aragon, and later meet the Assassin's Mentor, only to discover they were one in the same, Queen Yolande of Aragon. Simon was frustrated at such a revelation, so sure, like his ancestor, that the Mentor was the Duke of Alençon.

After experiencing Gabriel's own astonishment at the reveal, Simon pulled himself into the Memory Corridor. After getting his breathing under control, he processed the new information, he informed Victoria not to pull him out. His stats, good with the occasional spike due to shock, were no signs of concern. He calmly resumed his session, finishing the full meeting and the Queen's promise of support, Simon pulled himself into the Memory Corridor again for another breather. Still annoyed at himself for never considering the Queen as a candidate for Mentor, he denied the need for a break and pushed forward to 21 April 1429 when Jeanne was with her new army.

Witnessing through his ancestor, Jeanne had been given new plate armor, a horse supplied by the Duke of Alençon, and a scabbard for her new sword. They traveled from Tours to Blois, gaining support and supplies from Queen Yolande and d'Alençon. They made preparations with Jean de Dunois the "Bastard of Orléans" and Jeanne's brothers. Jeanne then using the charismatic abilities of her sword chased out many camp followers from her ranks.

After the simulation concludes, Simon and Victoria discuss Joan's use of the Sword of Eden to discipline camp followers, debunking rumors spread by Alençon. Simon is relieved by Joan's family reconciliation and speculates about Isu DNA in her parents. He recounts Joan's father's nightmare, anticipating her joining soldiers, and they prepare to proceed with the simulation to Orléans. As they prepared to besiege the city, Jeanne and Gabriel were approached by one of the camp followers, one whom Jeanne dubbed "Fleur" after the latter had promised to relinquish her sinful ways and go to confession.

Contacting Victoria, they talked about how unlike Jeanne to take Fleur as a friend especially due to her former occupation. However, Simon wanted to keep going despite doing multiple simulations that day. Victoria reluctantly agreed. After experiencing the beginning of the Siege of Orléans, Victoria pulled Simon out citing increased risks.

Despite his desire to proceed, Simon was scolded by Victoria, which led to a confrontation. After some reluctance, Victoria apologized, and Simon continues reading about Joan of Arc. Anaya contacts him to meet, and during their interaction, she reveals Victoria's lies. They debate the reasons for secrecy in Simon's project and later check Simon's flat for bugs, hugging each other while discovering at least two bugs, leaving Simon pondering his next steps.

Day 5

Simon, now constantly looking over shoulder after a night of bad dreams, sits at Tempest in a Teapot and anxiously searches his surroundings, wondering if Abstergo was watching him. Soon, Victoria came over and apologized once more for her behavior yesterday. Though their conversation quickly switched to strictly business as they talked about what periods of time to relive despite Simon's desire to go through the battles Joan endured. They later agree to relive the fourth day of the siege where Joan and her army strike the Les Tourelles.

After the session, reliving the moment the Siege of Orléans ended, Victoria expressed concern for Simon's wellbeing though he hid his early distrust of the doctor, and let her know that he was simply feeling fatigue from Animus use and requested a break. Simon declined an offer for lunch, stating he'd rather eat alone while he works on notes. When probed by Victoria for answers on the Sword of Eden, he deflected answering. Though decided to grab the Sword, planning to take it home to study further.

He reflected on his iniatiation, realizing it was more than simply ceremony. Victoria tried to dissuade him from leaving with the Sword, though mentally he decided to trust Anaya before trusting Victoria. As the head of the Historical Research division, he declared it acceptable that he be allowed to take the Sword, sarcastically asking if Victoria thought he'd take it straight to Sotheby's or the British Museum. Once alone, Simon calms his nerves and assumes the mentality of a proper Inner Sanctum member. Aware that internal surveillance would be keep tabs on him, he resolved himself to use what resources he had—his mind, his books, and the Animus.

At Temp's, Simon ordered the Hard @ Work basket and tried his best to study, though despite his enthusiasm in finding out the secrets of the Sword and drinking several cups of tea he dozed off. Dreaming of Jacques de Molay, he awoke with a start after realising a connection with de Molay and Jeanne d'Arc—they were both burned at the stake for heresy. Each Animus session he took of reliving Gabriel's memory brought him closer to Jeanne's execution. He then remembered that Victoria had had de Molay's graffiti translation and he'd forgotten to follow up on it. He called Zachary Morgenstern from Cryptology via video call on his laptop and asked about the de Molay graffiti, though Morgenstern had no knowledge of any translation nor any knowledge who Dr. Bibeau was. Alarmed, Simon thanked Morgenstern for his time and ended the call.

Suspicious that he's been watched, Simon acted casual and picked up a book on Chinon. In his further investigation on the graffiti he recalled from Gabriel's memory a Latin phrase scrawled on the wall, "Si cor valet, non frangit." He translates it with his burner phone, identical to his Abstergo-issued one, and receives the English translation; "If the heart is strong, it will not break."

Simon decided against going to Morgenstern with this information, lest he was also involved with this internal conspiracy against his success. He then went back to Victoria, intent on resuming his session. After a brief conversation on Jeanne's victory's, Simon noted the impact she had on the French army's morale. Hooked into the Animus, Simon relived Jargeau and the Loire campaign.

Simon witnessed the French victory at Jargeau. He heard the drowned-out voice of the Duke of Suffolk. Victoria asked if the French had accepted the surrender; Simon replied that they hadn't heard it, and many prisoners were executed later. He believed that Jeanne didn't know about the executions—otherwise, she would have been devastated. Her only fear, as Simon recalled, was treachery.

As Victoria reflected on how young the maiden was, she remarked to Simon how difficult it must have been for him, knowing what fate awaited her—though he thought to himself that she couldn't possibly understand. When the Animus had trouble loading the next memory, Simon suggested that the Sword of Eden must have been present in the upcoming battles. Together, they discussed the battles of Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency, and Patay—Jeanne's greatest success.

Theorizing where and when Jeanne lost the Sword, Simon confidently suggested it was during her first major defeat, though he wanted to wait before viewing that memory. In the meantime, Simon and Victoria both wished to see Jeanne honored and happy, leading into the coronation at Reims.

Managing Historical Research

Simon in Quebec

On 7 November, Simon met with Layla Hassan, a promising young Abstergo employee, praising her and giving her advice. A week later, she sent an email thanking him for his kind words and asked to be assigned to more Person of Interest assignments. A month later, while Layla was on an assignment, she became behind on logging operation reports. Simon threatened her tardiness with a formal complaint to Operations and more mediation training.

In March 2017, the Inner Sanctum invited the new Black Cross to a meeting in Quebec, during which Simon was present. Displeased that he auto-proclaimed himself their inquisitor, they threatened him and demanded to know his identity. The masked man responded that he came only as a courtesy, to inform them that he was investigating an hostile fifth column within the Order. After affirming his independence, the Black Cross dropped a smoke bomb and disappeared.

In October, Hathaway assigned a team consisting of Layla Hassan and Deanna Geary to Egypt to recover an artifact of utmost importance in the Qattara Depression, but Layla's refusal to check in with Abstergo led to the company deploying Sigma Team to find them.

Personality and traits

"With information, we know what—enough to identify the specific artifact—and where. But with knowledge, we'll know what it does, how it was used, and... how to fix it."

―Simon Hathaway, explaining his approaches with the Animus Technology to the Templar's Inner Sanctum

As a scholar and historian, Hathaway was very eager to witness Joan of Arc's battles in his ancestor's eyes. Despite his excitement, he kept an objective and third-person viewpoint, almost giving him immunity from the Bleeding Effect. This also enabled him to intentionally desynchronize at will.

Simon always valued authenticity. During his initiation into the Inner Sanctum of the Templar Order, he noted that the ritual garb had been made by hand and not machines. This caught his admiration, as he loved that the Templars genuinely put in effort to replicate the ancient traditions. He used a whiteboard to present his points, something which David Kilkerman noted was rare to see in the present.

He also valued knowledge over information. He stated that while information told where to find a Piece of Eden, knowledge would allow the Templars to understand its workings and designs. He also believed that knowledge would give them a better advantage over the Assassins rather than just data collection. Hathaway also adored tea and considered coffee as being "of the devil".

Skills and equipment

Simon Hathaway's typical attire consisted of a three-piece suit plus an overcoat. In addition to English, Simon is also fluent in Russian, Spanish and Arabic. Learning Gabriel's skills via the Bleeding Effect, Simon was able to effortlessly perform a Leap of Faith and possessed enough stamina to run up more than nine flights of stairs. He also used some minor knowledge from Gabriel's sword-training to disarm two Abstergo security personnel.

Behind the scenes

Simon Hathaway is a character introduced in the 2016 novel Assassin's Creed: Heresy, written by Christie Golden. While not clearly confirmed, Heresy hints that Simon is a descendant of Jeanne d'Arc, as after her faked execution the maid shared her life with Simon's known ancestor, Gabriel Laxart, who fathered children during that time.

Etymology

Simon is a common biblical name, from Hebrew Šimʻôn (שִׁמְעוֹן), meaning "listen". It is also a Ancient Greek name, derived from the adjective simon (Σίμων) meaning "flat-nosed". Hathaway is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, it can be derived from the Middle English hath, meaning "heath", plus the Middle English "way."

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Heresy (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Uprising
• Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)