Bernardo Baroncelli

Bernardo di Bandino Baroncelli (1453–1479) was a banker for the Pazzi and a member of the Templar Order. He was infamously known as one of the Pazzi conspirators who attempted to murder Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano, after his cousins were exiled from Italy some time previously.

Biography

Pazzi conspiracy

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

―Bernardo Baroncelli.

Bernardo was an accountant of the Medici bank under Jacopo de' Pazzi, and was led to the Templars through Jacopo's ties with the Order. 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. After this, the group of Templars pledged allegiance to their cause 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 a swift stab to Giuliano de' Medici as he charged forwards, his attack fueled with hatred born from the Medici's exile of his cousins. While Giuliano was brutally killed by Francesco de' Pazzi, Bernardo fled immediately from the attack, but was recaptured in his plight to reach 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.

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

Bernardo, moments before his death.

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, as well as his guards being situated 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.

In 1479, Ezio Auditore was told of Bernardo's escape and general location with San Gimignano, though the mercenaries could not find the escaped quarry. Scanning the crowds, the Assassin used his Eagle Vision to locate Bernardo. Once targeted, Ezio stealthily assassinated Bernardo's guards and made his way to the Templar's side undetected, before he was struck down by Ezio with the Hidden Blade.

==Personality and  with finery.==

Final Words

Bernardo's final moments.

• Bernardo: I knew you would come...
• Ezio: Where is Jacopo?
• Bernardo: So you could do to him what you've done to me?
• Ezio: There's still time for you to clear your conscience.
• Bernardo: 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

• Historically, and in Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, Bernardo tried to flee to Constantinople after the conspiracy failed. However, he was arrested, sent back to Florence, and later hanged. A record of his execution could be found in a sketch of his hanging made by Leonardo da Vinci.
• Oddly, if Ezio hired mercenaries to attack Bernardo's bodyguards, he would pay no attention and continue walking.

Gallery

• 
  Bernardo at the Templar meeting.
• 
  Bernardo attacking Giuliano de' Medici.
• 
  Francesco and Bernardo attacking Giuliano.
• 
  Ezio assassinating Bernardo.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed II