Bernardo Baroncelli

Bernardo di Bandino Baroncelli (1453-1480) was a banker for the Pazzi, and one of the Pazzi conspirators who attempted to murder Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano.

Biography

Pazzi conspiracy

"It's all here. Swords. Staves. Axes. Armour. Bows. Our men will want for nothing."

―Bernardo Baroncelli

Bernardo was an accountant of the Medici bank under Jacopo de' Pazzi, led to the Templar organization through Jacopo's Templar ties. In 1478, he supplied weapons and a willing blade for the planned murder of Lorenzo de' Medici's family, meeting with the rest of the conspirators in the catacombs beneath Santa Maria Novella. Bernardo joked easily about the willingness of Lorenzo's brother to make final plans for his daily activities and uttered the phrase 'May the Father of Understanding guide us,' the Templar motto.

The following morning, the conspirators attacked Lorenzo and his brother before the Duomo during High Mass. Bernardo was one of the first attackers and delivered the first knife wound to Giuliano de' Medici, his attack fueled with hate born from the Medici's exile of his cousins. Bernardo fled immediately after the attack, but was recaptured in his flight to Constantinople.

Escape and death

"Yes, yes, safer for me... and then, then we'll be protected, meet when it's time and then... I'll leave this place, free... in time... in time."

―A paranoid Bernardo Baroncelli

As Bernardo attempted to flee Italy and find sanctuary from his enemies in Constantinople, he was rapidly captured by Mario Auditore's men. Unfortunately he escaped his captors and took refuge in San Gimignano, unable to be found by the local mercenaries and allies of Ezio.

The man's paranoia increased and flourished as he hid from the Assassin, displaying itself in his frequent chattering to himself and assurances that he was safe. His guards walked by his side at all times under his direct order. Bernardo continued in this manner until he decided to visit San Gimignano's markets, still flanked by bodyguards.

Ezio Auditore was warned of Bernardo's escape and general location with San Gimignano, though the mercenaries could not find the escaped quarry. The Assassin used his talent, Eagle Vision, to locate Bernardo Baroncelli. Once targeted, Ezio stealthily assassinated Bernardo's guards and made his way to the target's side undetected. Bernardo Baroncelli was murdered with the Hidden Blade in 1480, two years after the crime that brought vengeance from the Medici family and the Assassin Ezio down upon him.

Personality and characteristics

Bernardo was a cowardly man at best, much like his co-conspirators he tried to hide himself from the Assassin but like the others, he soon fell to the flick of a blade. He hid himself behind guards but while doing that aroused suspicion and made him easy to spot, just not an easy target. He often talked to himself and his paranoia was often reflected through that. But although he may be cowardly, he was also hard to contain proven by his escape and he certainly had wealth because how else would he afford the protection.

Final Words

Baroncelli: I knew you would come...

Ezio: Where is Jacopo?

Baroncelli: So you could do to him what you've done to me?

Ezio: There's still time for you to clear your conscience.

Baroncelli: We gather at the church when a meeting is called.

Ezio: Mi duole dover giungere a tanto. (I am sorry that it came to this.) Requiescat in Pace. (Rest in peace.)

Trivia

• In real life, Baroncelli tried to flee to Constantinople after the Pazzi Conspiracy failed. However, he was arrested, sent back to Florence, and later hanged. A record of his execution can be found in a sketch of his hanging made by Leonardo da Vinci. In Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, this is what happens to him.
• During his "final words" sequence, if closely examined, it is shown that he has no pants nor undergarments on.
• Oddly, if you hire Mercenaries to attack Baroncelli's bodyguards, he will pay no attention and just keep walking.

Gallery

• Bernardo gives out his insight on the Duomo attack.
  Bernardo gives out his insight on the Duomo attack.
• Bernado impales Giuliano.
  Bernado impales Giuliano.
• Bernado listens to Stefano.
  Bernado listens to Stefano.
• Bernardo stabs Guiliano de' Medici.
  Bernardo stabs Guiliano de' Medici.
• 
  Bernardo, moments before his death.