Garnier de Naplouse
- "Do you appease a crying child simply because he wails? 'But I want to play with fire, father.' What would you say? 'As you wish'? Ah... but then you'd answer for his burns."
- ―Garnier de Naplouse.[src]
Garnier de Naplouse (c. 1147 - 1191) was a doctor, and the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier in Acre. He was also a secret member of the Knights Templar, and one of the targets assigned to the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad as part of the mission given to him by his master Al Mualim.
Biography
Grand Master of the Hospitaliers
- Altaïr: "You truly believe you were helping them?"
- Garnier: "It's not what I believe... it's what I know."
- —Garnier's final words to Altaïr.[src]
Garnier was the tenth Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier, a monastic order founded after the First Crusade, who established its first infirmary near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. At first, the order cared for pilgrims, but soon made sure armed guards prevented the pilgrims from being harmed. This escorting force was built up dramatically, and became a dominant Christian group along with the Knights Templar.[1] Garnier began his service with the order in 1177, as a commander of the hospital in Jerusalem, and was promoted a decade later.[1]
A doctor in his native France, Garnier was sentenced to exile by the king as punishment for abusing his patients, many of whom had died after being subjected to his alchemical experiments in pursuit of an "elixir" that supposedly cured madness. With the support of his wealthy family, who had become important backers of French involvement in the Crusades, Garnier was inducted into the Hospitaliers and named head of their hospital in Acre.
Upon arrival, he replaced the old staff with doctors and guards loyal only to him and then quickly resumed his old experiments, using the endless stream of patients as guinea pigs. Determined to keep any news of his crimes a secret from his superiors, he closed the hospital to only approved visitors and had patients crippled to keep them from leaving. In time, he came to believe that the patients were nothing more than lost souls in need of aid and that he had a responsibility to guide them however he saw fit.
Hospitalier Fortress and death
- Altaïr: "Let go your burden."
- Garnier: "Ah, I'll rest now, yes. The endless dream calls to me, but before I close my eyes, I must know: what will become of my children?"
- —Garnier to Altaïr, speaking about his patients.[src]
Following the siege of Acre, Garnier was granted jurisdiction of the Poor District in Acre. There, he set up his base of operation at the Hospitalier hospital, and continued his brutal experiments. News of his horrible work spread throughout the city, causing civilians to fear and avoid the hospital.[2]
When Altaïr infiltrated the Hospitalier Fortress with the intention of assassinating Garnier, a terrified patient attempted to escape, only to be captured by Garnier's guards. When Garnier revealed himself, he attempted to calm the patient with kind words. However, the patient had an outburst, claiming that Garnier's true intentions were evil. After the doctor admonished him, he commanded the guards to break the patient's legs, knowing this would prevent another escape attempt.[2]
When Garnier dismissed the horrified crowd and returned to his work, the Assassin stealthily made his way inside the hospital, and located the doctor. Altaïr then took the doctor's life with his Hidden Blade. With his final words, Garnier claimed that he was actually helping his patients. Although Altaïr tried to rebuke all of his claims, Garnier persisted in his beliefs.
Garnier claimed that the people he took were among the poorest and most ill of the surrounding cities, and that many had recovered and were grateful for his generous help. He said his methods were necessary to free people from the "prisons of their own minds." Altaïr asked if he truly believed that he was helping them, and Garnier simply replied, "It's not what I believe, it's what I know." Before he could say any more, however, Garnier died, and Altaïr was left to escape the area, and report his success to the bureau.[2]
Personality and characteristics
Garnier genuinely believed that he was helping the people that he held in his hospital, committing cruel and unjust acts to his patients, turning them into his slaves, and making them his guards. Even though he claimed to be a man of science, he completely lacked a sense of ethics and morality. He did not seem to fear death and even while he was communicating with Altaïr, he attempted to justify his actions, explaining why he dragged them from their supposed "homes" such as brothels or sewers.[2]
He often wore a black robes with an apron which was stained from the blood of the patients who had been involved in his experiments. He had a small leather belt around his waist which held up a small pouch with unknown contents and he usually carried his sword around with him for protection. He was of average height and weight. Signs of growing older, such as wrinkles and balding, were visible as well.[2]
Trivia
- In contrast to the in-game depiction of a sadistic and cruel man, the real-life Garnier was a courageous and brave individual who led the Hospitaliers and the Crusaders to many victories.
- Historically, Garnier de Naplouse fought in the Battle of Arsuf, while in Assassin's Creed, he died before the battle took place.
- Historically, Garnier was the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier from 1190 to 1192.
Gallery
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Garnier looking at the escaped patient -
Altaïr observing Garnier -
Altaïr assassinating Garnier -
Garnier's final moments
References
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