Bellatores Dei

"Soli Deo gloria."

―The group's motto.

The Bellatores Dei (English: God's Warriors) was a secretive group of religious zealots which operated in Francia in the 9th century. Led by a scholar known only by the pseudonym of Isidore Mercator, the group followed the false decretals of Isidore, believing that Francia had fallen into apostasy and sought to restore to order of Christiandom into the state.

History

By 886, the Bellatores Dei was led by a mysterious figure, Isidore Mercator, and consisted of members of Francia's clergy and warriors, some even close to King Charles III. However, they viewed multiple incursions as obstacles for their control and allyship with the King, such as the Vikings, the Elgring Clan, led by their jarl Sigfred, and Queen Richardis' influence over Charles.

Engelwin's efforts

At one point, Parisian priest and Bellatores Dei member Engelwin attacked and killed Sigfred's brother, Sinric, which enraged Sigfred against the French soldiers. At Melun, Engelwin launched an attack against Sigfred and his newfound ally, jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan. However, he left unharmed before his soldiers were defeated by the Vikings. Back in southern Paris, Engelwin collected ill-gotten levies as he performed acts of "deliverance" for a selected few within Sainte-Geneviève Church. Yet, his work was cut short once Eivor assassinated him underneath the church.

The capture of Queen Richardis

Bellatores Dei soon found an opportunity and captured Queen Richardis. In doing so, the nun Euphrasia, known as "Little Mother," was given the queen, in order to perform a sacrificial exorcism on her. In Aquila, Euphrasia took the queen underneath the town into its sewers. Within the sewers, Euphrasia prepared the ceremony as well as chastising the queen as evil. However, Euphrasia was soon assassinated by Eivor, who rescued the queen for King Charles.

Siege of Paris

Unknown to most, warrior-brothers Ebels and priest Gozlin were part of the Bellatores Dei and worked in part to prepare for the siege. Once the Vikings broke down the Wooden Bridge to Île de la Cité, Count Odo and the brothers awaited the Vikings. As Odo left the brothers, the Vikings met the warriors at the gate. Ebels told Gozlin to leave as he fought against Eivor and her allies. Ebels fought with his men but was killed by Eivor, which led to the start of the siege.

After Paris was overrun, Gozlin hid himself with the people inside the church of Saint-Étienne. However, he was soon found by Eivor, who attacked and seemingly killed him within the church. Within moments, the siege ended with a truce between Charles and Sigfred. By 887, however, Gozlin survived the attempt as he aided in Charles' mad plan to put Richardis through a trial of fire. Although Eivor came to rescue Richardis again, Gozlin stopped and challenged her to a fight. Luckily, Gozlin was defeated as rain appeared to put out the queen's pyre.

After the queen was saved through "divine intervention," Gozlin condemned Eivor for killing his brother and his fellow members. However, before he could finish, Gozlin was slain by Eivor's axe.

Ruins' excavations

In the late 9th century, Isidore sent out commands to his soldiers to excavate and retrieve any treasure found at the Diodurum Ruins, Gisacum Ruins, and Champlieu Ruins, which were connected to the abandoned Hidden Ones base, the Lutetia bureau. However, the Bellatores Dei soldiers were noticed by one of the remaining Hidden Ones, Abbo Cernuus, who eliminated them before they could succeed in their objectives.

Members

• Ebels
• Engelwin
• Euphrasia
• Gozlin
• Isidore Mercator

Gallery

• 
  The crest of the Bellatores Dei
• 
  Eivor observing Euphrasia's kidnapping of Richardis

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris