Charles Lee
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- "He is the promise of a better future."
- ―Haytham Kenway to Connor regarding Charles Lee[src]
Charles Lee (1732 – 1782) was a British soldier who served during the French and Indian War and joined the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War as a General. Lee, throughout his military career, was also a prominent member of the Templar Order and later became the Grand Master from 1781 until his death in 1782.
Biography
Early Life
Charles Lee was born to John Lee, a prominent British Colonel, and Isabella Bunbury, daughter of a British Conservative politician. Due to his father's reputation and encouragement, Charles pursued a military career at a young age. He was sent to a military academy in Switzerland and by 1746 joined his father's regiment as an ensign.
He returned to England in 1751 and was commissioned to the rank of lieutenant. In 1754 he was sent to the British Colonies in America to serve under General Edward Braddock to fight in the French and Indian War. At some point, Lee learned of and became affiliated with the Templar Order and was keen to join them. Lee was given instructions by the Templars to assist Haytham Kenway.
Serving the Templar Order
Haytham, soon after Lee, arrived in America and the two met at a pier in Boston. The two introduced themselves and became well acquainted. Lee arranged for their stay at the Green Dragon Tavern and introduced Haytham to William Johnson.
Lee and Haytham then set out to meet with Thomas Hickey. The three proceeded to raid a compound of bandits, retrieving Johnson's stolen research on the Kanien'kehá:ka and returned to the tavern.
Later, Lee and Haytham searched for Benjamin Church, who was captured by Silas Thatcher and his accomplice, Cutter, for protection money. After searching Church's ransacked home and eavesdropping on several guards and eyewitnesses, Lee and Haytham deduced Church's location, in a warehouse on a pier. They rescued Church from being tortured.
Lee and Haytham went to gather the final recruit, John Pitcairn, from General Braddock. However, Braddock and Haytham were clearly at odds and Braddock was already angered by the fact that Lee was in service to Haytham, hence refused to give them Pitcairn as he was charged for treason and desertion. In a plan to retrieve Pitcairn, Lee followed and pretended to be an angry citizen against the Redcoats, provoking Braddock into a chase by throwing mud on him. Lee lured Braddock and his men to a dead end allowing Lee, Haytham and Pitcairn to fight and kill Braddock's patrol, but Haytham spared Braddock.
With all of the Templar recruits assembled at the Tavern, Haytham proposed a plan to infiltrate Southgate Fort and kill Silas Thatcher, a notorious slaver. Haytham explained that by killing Silas and freeing the captive slaves, they would be able to gain favor with the Kanien'kehá:ka in order to gain information that would lead them to the mysterious Precursor Site.
Lee and the others proceeded to ambush a slave cart transport, killing the escorts, disguising themselves in their uniforms and escorted the cart to the fort. Inside the fort, Haytham stealthily freed the slaves, however this caused Silas to raise the alarm. Lee and the others triggered a battle, fending off the soldiers while Haytham and Church killed Silas, allowing them to free the remaining slaves.
After several weeks, Haytham decided to make contact with the Kanien'kehá:ka woman, Kaniehtí:io, who would be a valuable ally in the search for the Precursor Site. Lee was able to find a lead, informing Haytham that she had been seen in the wilderness near Lexington. However Lee left shortly after beginning the search explaining that he had to return to his commission under Braddock.
Lee returned months later to Lexington in 1755 to aid Haytham in his plan to kill General Braddock. Lee assisted by disguising himself as Redcoat and attacked Braddock's expedition, allowing Haytham to kill Braddock.
Haytham returned days later, revealing that the Precursor Site contained nothing and disregarded it as merely a painted cave. Haytham changed their goal to establish a permanent base and to expand Templar power and influence throughout the colonies. Commending Lee for his dedication and loyalty, Haytham decided to finally and formally induct Lee into the Templar Order, placing on his finger the Templar Ring that previously belonged to Braddock.
Meeting Ratonhnhake:ton
In 1760, Lee and his fellow Templars, with the exception of Haytham, sought to meet with the elders of the local Kanien'kehá:ka tribe under the orders of George Washington.
Lee encountered a young boy in the forest and forcibly demanded the location of his village. Instead of answering, the boy merely and defiantly asked for Lee's name, warning Lee so that he can find him. Amused, Lee mocked the boy saying that he would look forward to it and left after Johnson knocked him out.
Unbeknownst to Lee that the boy was actually the son of Haytham, Ratonhnhaké:ton. Lee and the others soon after found the village and set it ablaze, killing several villagers including Ratonhnhaké:ton's mother.
The French and Indian War
Lee participated in several battles during the French and Indian War throughout 1755 to 1759, such as the battles at Forts Ticonderoga, Niagara and the British conquest of Montreal. Lee soon after returned to England in 1760 and was promoted to the rank of Major and fought in several campaigns in Portugal and Poland.
Despite his service, Lee was not well paid, hence he became an critic against several military and political figures in England. This however backfired, as a result, Lee was unable to advance his career as he pay didn't improve nor his chances for promotion.
Return to America
Lee returned to America in 1770, rejoining his Templar brothers. Along with Haytham, Lee instigated the Boston Massacre by firing his pistol into the air, alarming the guards and causing them to open fire against the protesting citizens.
By 1773, the colonists rebelled against the British Loyalists and the policies imposed by the British Parliament. This led to the American Revolutionary War, beginning with the Boston Tea Party, during which the citizens dumped a large supply of British tea in defiance of the taxation laws. As a result, Johnson and Lee were unable to smuggle the tea and profit from taxation. The Boston Tea Party was also partially led by Connor, unbeknownst to Lee and Johnson, an Assassin and the boy they encountered thirteen years ago.
Continental General
Taking advantage of the Revolution, Lee resigned from the British Army and joined the Continentals, he quickly established himself as a strong supporter of the Patriots and became a likely candidate for the position of Command-in-Chief along with George Washington. However, Lee was mostly notorious due to demand to be well compensated, which contrasted against Washington's selfless and modest insistence for little payment. As a result, Washington was favored by the Congress to lead the Continental Army.
Lee was still promoted to the rank of General and served directly under Washington. Lee attended Washington's acceptance speech and watched with contempt and criticism. It was also at this moment that Lee met Connor, but did not recognize him and merely dismissed him as Samuel Adams' lapdog.
Assassination Plot
In 1776, Hickey was tasked to murder Washington in order for Lee to replace him and take control of the Continental Army for the Templars. Hickey failed at first as he was arrested and imprisoned in New York along with Connor for counterfeiting.
Lee and Haytham visited Hickey in Bridewell Prison, they reprimanded him for his recklessness and informed him that he could not be pardoned due the investigations against him by Benjamin Tallmadge. Upon realizing that the Assassin, Connor, was also locked up in a cell next to Hickey's, Lee formulated a new plan.
Connor was later able to steal the prison warden's key and went to kill Hickey in his cell, only to find the murdered body of the warden and was ambushed by both Hickey and Lee holding him at gunpoint. They revealed to Connor that he will be trialed and executed for the murder of the warden and attempting to assassinate Washington.
Lee justified his actions and Templars to Connor by slandering Washington, citing his poor military record and calling him unfit for leadership. Connor attempted to attack Lee, however Lee easily overpowered Connor and pinned against the wall with his arm against his throat. It was at this moment that Lee finally recognized Connor as the boy from the forest. He then choked and rendered him unconscious.
Lee's plan not only framed Connor but would allow Hickey an opportunity to murder Washington who would personally attend the execution. The next day, Connor was taken to be publicly executed after Haytham and Lee were able to omit the supposed trail.
Hickey escorted Connor to the gallows, with Lee presiding to announce his crimes against Washington and the colonies and sentencing him to death. However, Connor was saved by Achilles Davenport his Assassin recruits. In the resulting confusion, Hickey made a desperate to kill Washington but failed and was killed by Connor, proving Connor's innocence and starting his alliance Washington as a later result.
Retreat from New York
Lee continued serving under Washington, biding his time and secretly undermining Washington's orders and authority. Washington failed in his campaign in keeping New York for the Patriots, as a result he ordered the evacuation of his forces as the British Army retook control of the city.
Lee, however, intentionally delayed the retreat and allowed himself to be captured by the British. Lee was imprisoned, however since he formally resigned his commission in the British Army rather than deserting, Lee was treated was civility and given comfortable accommodations and fine dining. Lee took the opportunity to give the British information regarding the Continental Army, hoping it would lead to further weaken and disgrace Washington in battle.
Battle at Monmouth
Lee was released from New York prison and returned to Congress, where he attempted to convince them that the Continental Army was not strong enough to match the British forces. Nonetheless, Washington prepared his armies in Monmouth to stop the British Army's march from Philadelphia to New York in 1778. Washington also ordered the extermination of the Kanatahséton village, Connor's home, due to his suspicions of them allying with the British.
Lee took advantage of the situation by traveling to Kanatahséton, where he met with Kanen'tó:kon and convinced them to join the war against the Continental Army in order to protect their land. He also manipulated Kanen'tó:kon into believing that Connor had betrayed the village by allying himself with Washington.
Lee took control of Marquis de Lafayette's forces and ordered a full retreat. Lee then abandoned his post, leaving them unprepared against the advancing British Army. However, Connor arrived and intervened, during which he held off the British Army and secured the Patriots retreat, saving many lives of the Continental Army and spared Washington a devastating defeat.
Connor and Lafayette revealed Lee's treachery to the Washington, as a result, Washington investigated leading to Lee's court martial for insubordinate behavior and poor command decisions. Lee was disgraced, however he was spared execution and instead given a year's suspension from duty.
Death of Haytham
In 1781, Lee resided in Fort George in the military district of New York for protection. Haytham visited Lee, encouraging him to leave and assuring him that there was no danger, also giving him the Grand Temple Key or safekeeping. Unbeknownst to Lee, Connor intended to penetrate Fort George and assassinate him.
Soon after, Connor infiltrated the military district with aid of several French Ships creating a diversion. Haytham remained to confront and kill his son. Connor prevailed in the confrontation, killing Haytham. Lee learned of this and ascended to rank of Grand Master, in Haytham's place, over what was left of the diminishing Templar Order.
Grand Master
Months later, in 1782, Lee presided over Haytham's funeral and he delivered the eulogy in honor of Haytham. Connor appeared from the crowd and approached Lee but was restrained by guards. Enraged by Connor’s constant interference of his plans and murdering of his comrades, Lee vowed revenge, promising not only to kill him but murder everyone and destroy everything that Connor loved and held dear.
Connor brushed off Lee’s threats, warning that he will fail and die with the rest of his plans. As the guards carried away Connor, Lee decided to gather an army and recuperate his power. Lee recruited the Captain of the HMS Jersey and mercenaries to assemble an army. After leaving for Boston, Lee learned that Connor had escape, hence decided flee and return to England for safety.
However, Connor tracked down Lee to a pier in Boston, leading to a chase. Lee attempted to lose Connor by running through a ferry under construction, during which an accident caused the ferry to set ablaze. After a dangerous chase, Connor crashed through a collapsed blank and injured himself against a wooden pole, piercing his abdomen.
Lee approached the Connor, looking down on him, mockingly asking why the Assassins fight a pointless and futile cause. Connor replied “Because no one else will”, and caught Lee off guard by raising his pistol and shooting Lee in stomach.
Death
Lee escaped, took a ferry up the Charles River and rested at the Last Drink Tavern in Monmouth. Connor once again followed and caught up with Lee at the tavern. The two sat at a table, both wounded and bleeding, and silently shared a drink. Accepting his end, Lee gave Connor a slight nod, and Connor proceeded to stab Lee through the chest and take the amulet from round Lee’s neck. Lee fell head first against the table, finally dead.
Trivia
- The initial render of Charles Lee prior to the game's release showed an older-looking character.
- Charles Lee was the first major assassination target to die without any last words, neither in the memory corridor, nor at the moment of his death.
- During the infiltration on Southgate Fort, Charles Lee was displayed with an Assassin's Insignia above his head, despite being a Templar, similar to the other co-conspirators.
- Historically, Charles Lee died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania instead of in Monmouth.
- Among the Kanien'kehá:ka, Charles Lee was also known as "Boiling Water"
Gallery
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Concept art of Charles Lee. -
Old portrait of Lee.
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Initial rendering of Lee.
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Reference