Haytham Kenway

"Order. Purpose. Direction. No more than that. It's your lot that means to confound with this nonsense talk of freedom. Time was, the Assassins professed a far more sensible goal: that of peace."

―Haytham Kenway to his son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, concerning the Templars' goals.^[src]

Haytham E. Kenway (1725 - 1781) was the first Grand Master of the Templar Order's Colonial Rite, reigning from 1754 until his death.

Born to the Assassin Edward Kenway, Haytham was converted to the Templar cause at a young age by Reginald Birch. After being sent to British America to locate a suspected First Civilization storehouse, Haytham eventually remained and established a permanent Templar presence in the British colonies.

Later, he unknowingly sired a son with the Kanien'kehá:ka woman Kaniehtí:io, whom he had met in his original quest for the storehouse. As such, he was an ancestor to Desmond Miles.

Biography

Early life

"It is a requirement when you are raised in the manner that I was. Perception is fundamental to the Order. It guides the feet when running and climbing. Informs the hands when striking and fighting. But most important, it transforms the senses. And we begin to know the world in a different way."

―Haytham discussing his training to Charles Lee.^[src]

Haytham was born in England in the year 1725, as the second child to the Assassin Edward Kenway and his second wife Tessa Kenway. Unbeknownst to him, Haytham was trained to become an Assassin by his father from an early age. During this time, Haytham was tutored how to use a sword, despite barely being six years old. He was also encouraged to think for himself, and dispute others' opinions.

On his eighth birthday, Haytham's family was walking home from a trip to White's Chocolate House on Chesterfield Street, when the group were attacked by a mugger. Reginald Birch, who was also with them, threatened to kill the man, whose attempt to rob Tessa of her necklace had failed. However, he was dissuaded by Edward, who was infuriated at Reginald's harsh vigilantism. When Haytham returned home that day, Edward asked his son whether he thought that the thief should have been allowed to go free. At first, Haytham replied that he initially held feelings to enact revenge, but would have offered the man clemency, to which he was presented with a steel short sword, that he later used in his life as a Templar.

On 3 December 1735, there was an attack on Haytham's London home in Queen Anne's Square when he was still young, during which his father, his sole friend Tom Barrett, and some of the house's servants were killed. Accompanying this, his half-sister Jenny was abducted, and a journal of his father's was taken.

This event was when Haytham made his first kill, against one of the infiltrators, though it unfortunately soured his mother's perception of him. Soon after, Haytham was approached by the Grand Master of the Templar Order's British Rite, Reginald Birch; who worked as his father's senior property manager and happened to be courting Jenny. Following this, he was given leave by his mother to be trained in Europe by Birch, who tutored him in the Templars' ways.

As a member of the Templar Order, Haytham became distant acquaintances with Edward Braddock, a fellow Templar and a soldier in the British Army. They both participated in the Siege of Bergen op Zoom, where Braddock's violent attitude became evident. After Braddock brutally murdered several innocents, the two had a falling out and Braddock left the Templar Order forever.

During a mission to kidnap a young rebel named Lucio, Haytham encountered the Assassin Miko, who was assigned to protect Lucio, and after being ambushed by the Assassin, lost his treasured short sword. The fight ended when Haytham pulled Miko into a cave, but was subsequently dragged in along with him, resulting in Miko grabbing hold of a rope and Haytham's arm to prevent himself from falling into a steep drop. Haytham, however, untied Miko's hidden blade from his arm and bit his hand, causing Miko to fall into the drop. Miko, however, survived and upon Haytham's suggestion, fled to fight another day. Haytham, having the Assassin's Hidden Blade to compensate for his lost sword, then brought Lucio to Reginald so that Birch could blackmail Lucio's mother into decoding the journal that Haytham retrieved from Juan Vedomir.

Stealing the Precursor Key

"Once. My father brought me here as a child, though I remember little of it. And I don't suppose tonight will afford me the luxury of a proper viewing either."

―Haytham reflecting on his first play he attended with his father.^[src]

In the year 1754, Haytham attended the musical The Beggar's Opera, by John Gay, in the Theatre Royal in London. Although lamenting the fact that he had never been able to see the play through to the end, Haytham's true purpose there was to obtain a "precursor" artifact from an attending patron and member of the Assassin Order, Miko. After obtaining the artifact and assassinating the owner, he fled the opera house and met once more with his co-conspirators.

From there, he was chartered a ship to Boston, and ordered to locate a suspected First Civilization storehouse in the region; he would then set about organizing an official presence for the Templars in the New World.

Aboard the Providence

"But let me be clear, should you ever dare to insult or threaten me again, I'll not hesitate to cut off your head myself. Are we understood?"

―Haytham threatening Samuel Smythe aboard the Providence en route to Boston.^[src]

On the second day of his journey, Haytham partook in a fight with some of the crew members, Hector Graves being the main assailant. After defeating him and a man known as Quill, he was taken to the captain's quarters to speak with Samuel Smythe, the captain of the ship. There, he learned that some of the crew members were potentially planning a mutiny; Smythe reminded Haytham that such a revolt would rule out his ever reaching the Colonies, and so he agreed to investigate.

On the twenty-eighth day of his journey, Haytham sped up his investigation by request of the increasingly worried captain. After asking the cook and doctor about information regarding peculiar actions, he was referred to a man named James Fairweather. James told him that crew members had been gathering above deck and quietly conversing about things that he believed "boded ill". After a splashing sound was heard, Haytham went below deck and discovered that painted barrels had been thrown overboard.

On the thirty-third day of his journey, Haytham spoke with the captain about the marked barrels being thrown overboard on a daily basis, determining that they were a marker to leave a trail for another ship. Seconds later, a boat was sighted that attacked the Providence. Following this, the captain sent him below deck, where Haytham came into contact with Louis Mills. Mills revealed that he had been the one throwing the marked barrels overboard, and that he was in fact an associate of the Assassin Order; he had pursued Kenway once word of the murder in the Theatre Royal reached him. The two engaged in combat and Mills was struck down by Kenway.

Haytham returned above deck and forced Smythe to lead his ship into an approaching storm, so as to lose the pursuing vessel. During the storm, Haytham helped to secure the ships rigging before flying the foremast to quicken the ship. After lightning snapped the main mast and left James hanging from a rope, Haytham continued to quickly save the man just as the attacking ship had sunk, having also been struck by lightning.

On the seventy-second day, Haytham reached Boston, where he met his first assistant and recruit, Charles Lee, who gave him a short tour of the city. During the tour, Haytham met Benjamin Franklin, and discovered that some of his almanac's pages were missing. He also met his first partner, William Johnson, at the Green Dragon Tavern.

Gathering the colonial Templars

"...Upon this paper are the names of five men sympathetic to our cause. Each is also uniquely suited to aid you in your endeavor. With them at your side, you will want nothing."

―Reginald Birch giving Haytham the names of the Templars in the colonies.^[src]

Now, effectively Grand Master of the Templar Order in the Colonies, Haytham's first aim was to unite his new partners so that they could locate the storehouse. After meeting Johnson, he learned that some of his work had been stolen in a robbery. Leaving to find Johnson's man, Thomas Hickey, who was also on his list of loyal Templars, Haytham searched for those responsible. After finding Hickey and receiving an explanation, Haytham, with the help of Charles and Thomas, infiltrated a mercenary fort and located the papers. Thomas and Haytham then killed the attacking soldiers while Charles carried the chest that contained Johnson's information.

Learning that the research would not be of much use in the situation, Haytham went to find his other partners, beginning with Benjamin Church. After he visited Church's home, Haytham learned that there had been a raid, and that Church had been taken during it. He then continued to conduct an investigation with Charles, in which he eavesdropped on the conversations of Benjamin's neighbors. The first one informed Haytham that Church had been taken somewhere in north-eastern Boston. Following that, he went to the top of a church to view the rest of the city for other prospects. The second eavesdrop informed him of relatively nothing, and was a conversation between two British Regulars. The third, also a conversation between two Regulars informed Haytham that Church was in debt to someone, and that a man named "Cutter" was included in this group, planning to torture or kill Benjamin. The fourth, between two civilians, informed Haytham that the group that captured Church had taken him to the top of a hill, at a fort that had a doctor.

After obtaining this information, Haytham met with Charles once more to locate Church near to the water-front beside the fort, slipping by undetected to a locked door at the edge. Silently, he stole a key from one of the nearby Regulars and opened the door to the building. Entering with Lee, he found Church tied to a chair, surrounded by a few British Regulars, and being interrogated by a man named Silas Thatcher, who was in charge of Southgate Fort. After Silas left, Lee and Haytham silently killed the soldiers and Cutter before freeing Church and going back to the Green Dragon Tavern.

Next, he went to retrieve another man on his list, John Pitcairn, from General Edward Braddock at the Copp's Hill Battery inside of Boston. After having sneaked in with the help of Lee, he located Pitcairn near the end of the battery, speaking with Braddock about mistakes. When Haytham attempted to take Pitcairn with him, Braddock refused, and sent him and Charles away. Later, he quickly tricked Braddock and his men into a dead end and slaughtered most of them, humiliating the General before stealing Pitcairn. Following this, Haytham took Pitcairn with him to the tavern and spoke with his partners.

After gathering his new co-conspirators, Haytham planned an infiltration on Southgate Fort, so that he could free the Native American slaves there in order to discover where the First Civilization storehouse was. Locating a convoy, he and his partners ambushed it, slaughtering all of the Regulars and dressing in their garb. Using the tactic of the Trojan horse, Haytham sneaked his men into the fort, freed the slaves within, killed the fort's general, and wounded Silas so that he could be shot by Church.

Search for the precursor storehouse

"I saved your people. Does this mean nothing to you? Look. I am not the enemy."

―Haytham trying to gain Kaniehtí:io's trust.^[src]

Six months after the death of Silas, Haytham had successfully had his partners track down a woman that they had freed in the attack, a native who had appeared to have some sort of command. In the snow, he located her by following tracks she had left behind, and chased her through the Frontier on the ground while she ran through the trees. When he finally caught up to her, they spoke about the 'key' and if she knew where the storehouse was. Telling him to meet her at a nearby hill, she left, and he eventually followed.

When he met her at the hilltop, she told him about soldiers in the nearby tavern that wished to drive her people away, and that they were led by Edward Braddock, the Bulldog. He suggested that they stop the soldiers, coming up with a plan to kill Braddock. After entering the tavern, he began eavesdropping on some regulars, which informed him of Braddock's plans to go on an 'expedition'. The second group of regulars he listened to informed him that Braddock was already at the 'advanced' camp, preparing to fight French soldiers. Just as he attempted to leave the tavern, he was brought into a bar-fight with some of the Regulars, making short work of them with a minor face injury. The woman, Kaniehtí:io, quickly cleaned it for him. She then left, telling Haytham to meet her at the camp.

Haytham quickly followed, meeting the woman outside of the British campsite of Fort St. Mathieau while deep in the blizzard. Sneaking into a supply cart, he hid until entering the walls of the fort. After getting into the camp, Haytham silently went through the area, breaking the two cannons before starting to eavesdrop on a conversation between the young George Washington and a Regular officer. Listening, he learned that Braddock refused a truce to end the French and Indian War, and was rallying troops before he would take a trip to Fort Duquesne, and that a copy of the plans was inside of the Command Tent. Haytham quickly stole them and left the fort, taking them to Kaniehtí:io and discussing a plan to ambush the soldiers beside the Allegheny (or Monongahela) river.

Hunting Braddock

"Your death opens a door. It's nothing personal. Well, maybe it is a LITTLE personal. You've been a pain in my arse, after all."

―Haytham speaking to Braddock after catching up to the latter.^[src]

A few months later, Haytham rallied his co-conspirators to met with Kaniehtí:io near the edge of the river. After speaking with her, they waited in the planned hiding point for Braddock and his men to pass by. Creating a quick plan of deception, Haytham goes and assassinates one of the regulars, taking the man's outfit to hide within it and sneak up to Braddock's side. Witnessing Braddock kill one of his men, he waited a moment before riding close to the General. Following a failed attack from a French soldier, the Bulldog rode off and Haytham was forced to ride after him. When a tree fell before Braddock, the Bulldog fell back, allowing Haytham to catch up with him. Just as he was about to shoot, Washington killed the horse beneath him. To save him, Kaniehtí:io tackled Washington from his horse, and Haytham rose to chase after Braddock again on foot.

Haytham chased him until he was able to assassinate him, after which he took Braddock's ring from his finger and went with Kaniehtí:io to the storehouse. Having reached it, Haytham attempted to open the door with his key, unable to do so because it was the incorrect Piece of Eden. Then, he had a romantic moment with Kaniehtí:io. Following this, he met with his co-conspirators again, plotting the future of the Templar Order in the Colonies, and inducting Lee as an official Templar. Later, he would go on to father the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton with Kaniehtí:io.

Searching for a lost sister

Despite his bad relationship with his sister while he was young, he did intend to find her. Eventually, Haytham tracked her to Damascus where she had been employed as a concubine. Haytham and his friend Jim Holden managed to rescue her, but not without Jim being captured and castrated. He rescued Jim from the priests and eunuchs, killing many in the process, and departed for England when Holden's wound closed.

Avenging his father

Through Jenny, Haytham found out that it was Reginald who ordered the attack in his childhood that killed his father. Accompanied by Jenny and Jim, Haytham launched an attack against Reginald in his chateau, killing any that stood in his way. While Reginald tried to defend himself, it was Jenny that struck the killing blow. Afterwards, Haytham freed Reginald's captives, but he was stabbed for his previous crimes. This injury kept Haytham in bed for half a year, during which he was taken care of by Jenny and Jim. When he finally recovered, he saw that Jim committed suicide, as he had little reason to continue living. Haytham mused upon Jim's kindness and decided that he should unite Assassins and Templars in honor of all the good in the world.

The Boston Massacre

Connor: "Is that my father...?"

Achilles: "Yes. Which means trouble is sure to follow. I need you to tail his accomplice. This crowd is a powder keg - we can't allow him to light the fuse."

—Achilles Davenport speaking to Connor about Haytham's presence in Boston.^[src]

Haytham was present in Boston in 1770 with an agent who was watching as the civilians began to revolt against the British soldiers due to the various taxes the Crown had put into motion. As the crowd began to get worse, he sent one of his agents to the rooftops to provoke the troops to open fire. Unaware that his agent was being followed by his own son. When the agent was killed by Connor, Charles Lee shot his pistol into the air, the soldiers began to open fire on the civilians, but Haytham pointed out his son to one of the leading soldiers. As they chased Connor, Haytham and Charles quickly departed.

Assassination attempt on George Washington

"There can be no further mistakes, Thomas. Am I understood?"

―Haytham reprimanding Thomas Hickey.^[src]

After both William Johnson and John Pitcairn died, Haytham instructed Thomas Hickey to murder George Washington after Lee was turned down for Commander and Chief. Hickey's plan was foiled by Connor who exposed him while he was running a counterfeiting ring in New York. Both men were captured and thrown into Bridewell Prison. He accompanied Lee to the prison, where Thomas was released from a cell next to his son, to be moved to a different part of Birdewell. Haytham reprimanded Hickey, and told Charles to handle things from here as he left the prison. During the time of Connor and Thomas' imprisonment, Haytham and Charles managed to convince the judge to execute Connor rather than put him on trial. However, Haytham had a last minute change of heart and decided to save Connor from his execution. When the Assassins failed to cut the rope, Haytham threw a knife that severed the rope and saved Connor.

Searching for Benjamin Church

"Look - much as I'd love to spar with you, Benjamin Church's mouth is as big as his ego. You clearly want the supplies he's stolen, I want him punished. Our interests are aligned."

―Haytham proposing a truce with Connor.^[src]

In 1777, Haytham was in search of the former Templar Benjamin Church, who had deserted the Order before being sent to prison for treason against the Continental Army. Slightly outside of the Continental fort in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Haytham had tracked the traitor to a small church. After an investigation, he determined that he had reached them too late, but had stayed nonetheless to wait and see if someone would appear. To his surprise, Haytham had taken a leap onto his son, Connor, who he barely knew existed, instead of one of Church’s men. After a slight brawl with the Assassin, he revealed that he too was searching for Church. Haytham suggested a truce, given that while they were searching for Benjamin for different reasons, their shared goal was to find him. Connor silently agreed, and the pair departed the building.

Not long later, Connor had begun to track the location of Church’s mercenaries through the snow, while Haytham followed. When the two had found one of the men by a broken cart of Continental supplies and captured him, there was a quick interrogation that ended with Haytham shooting the man, much to the dismay of his son. Then, he ordered Connor to infiltrate the camp that they had discovered from the man while he secretly sneaked a different route, which ultimately led in his capture. Connor, who quickly came to the rescue, was left behind to kill the other soldiers, while Haytham went to make plans in New York.

A month later, when Connor had finally made his way to the city, Haytham led them atop the rooftops to where Church’s location had been stated to be. In one exchange, he revealed he had spared Connor out of ‘curiosity’, and that he was not so different from those that his son aided. They also spoke of their ideas of freedom, which he saw as an ‘invitation to chaos’. After reaching the gate to Church’s position, he allowed Connor to retrieve some sort of disguise, waiting at the rendezvous until his return.

When Connor did return, Haytham led them to the door, passing through with the permission of the guards. Exploring the brewery, they had a conversation about Connor’s mother, in which Haytham learned of her passing. After Connor had given the blame to Charles Lee, Haytham denied it, saying that he had ordered against it and it was not possible. When they reached Church, Haytham set his accusations and sentenced the man to death, only to be surprised that the man was another in disguise, and they were being ambushed by the mercenaries. Making short work of them, there was a quick interrogation for Church's position, which allowed them to discover that he was on his way for Martinique. Once more the interrogation led to death, when Haytham once more killed the victim at the end.

Following the murder, a second ambush began, causing barrels to explode and set the building to fire with the two inside. With Haytham leading the way, as well as going through a simpler route, they narrowly escaped the burning brewery by leaping through the locked door into the water below. Climbing onto the docks, they quickly formulated a plan to use the Aquila to catch up with Church, who was just over a day ahead of them.

Chasing Benjamin Church

"So here we are, face to face at last, my friend. It's been quite an adventure - let me tell you - working my way through your nasty little tricks and traps. Clever. Some of them, anyway. I'll give you credit for that. And for the quietude with which you pulled it off. We had a DREAM, Benjamin! A dream you sought to DESTROY! And for that, my fallen friend, you will be made to pay."

―Haytham beating up Benjamin Church.^[src]

Meeting Connor at a New York pier, in the far-eastern section of the city, Haytham boarded the ship for the journey to catch Church. By 1778, they had caught up somewhere in the Caribbean Sea, despite Haytham's remarks that they were probably days behind because of the route choice. After a narrow crossing though the rocks, they approached the Welcome, Church’s initial escape ship, which was already abandoned. Following a quick examination, a smaller ship was noticed in the distance, fleeing away as it shot at the Aquila.

Quickly beginning to follow, Haytham and Connor’s crew went through the rocky passage, while the father repetitively heckled his son over imperfections he observed, claiming his superiority as well. After the smaller vessel passed through a narrow cliff-side area, the Aquila was forced to pass around the rocks, and was greeted on the other side by a British 'Man o' War' and a few smaller ships firing at them with full force. Making short work of the smaller boats, Connor and Haytham had the crew fire chain shots at the 'Man o' War', breaking the masts before they boarded the enemy ship.

Just as they were about to meet at the side, Haytham stole the wheel and rammed the Aquila into the opposing ship, following with a mighty leap to the other side as he fought his way to Church below decks. Quickly, Connor leaped over himself, bringing his crew with him to fight the mercenaries aboard. After killing the three officers on the upper deck, Connor made his way to the position of Haytham and Church. Haytham, giving a slight speech to his former co-conspirator, continued to violently beat the man near to death. Connor proceeded from there to end the man’s suffering after discovering the location of the Continental supplies, which lay on a nearby island awaiting pickup.

Final cooperation with Connor

"You oppose tyranny. Injustice. These are just symptoms. Their true cause is human weakness. Why do you think I keep on trying to show you the error of your way?"

―Haytham's last attempt at converting his son.^[src]

After cooperating with his son to kill Church, a sort of alliance was formed between Haytham and Connor, uneasy however in the fact that the unity was so weak. In an effort to secure independence from Great Britain, Haytham began working with his son to deliver the final blows. When they met up after the assassination near Bowling Green, they began a mission to discover the Loyalist plans, striking to interrogate the officers around the ruins from New York's Great Fire. Climbing through the destroyed buildings, they made their way to a viewpoint above the higher ranking soldiers.

Determining after useless eavesdropping that a different attempt to gather information was necessary, Haytham leaped down and proceeded to start a fight with the British Regulars. Connor, forced to help, went along to fight as well. Making relatively short work of the soldiers, Haytham and Connor quickly caught the officers against the wall, except one that managed to run off. While Connor went to chase him, Haytham took the others to his quarters in Fort George, interrogating them, and eventually killing them. After the return of the final officer, a final interrogation occurred, following with another death by Haytham's hand, justified in his terms because the man would have told his command. Following the argument, Haytham made his way to the Continental fort in Valley Forge.

During the night, Connor also made his way to the fort, meeting with Haytham at the foot of the hill to George Washington's command point. Following a short argument over what Connor favors, they proceeded up to meet with the Commander-in-Chief. As Connor warned him of the British plans, Haytham sneaked behind and discovered a letter ordering the attack on Connor’s village, Kanatahséton. Haytham then proceeded to educate Connor on the General's plan, along with the information that the first attack in the Seven Years' War was also Washington’s work, causing him to cut ties with both of them. He claimed that Haytham had known all along, and that he had kept the information on purpose.

Death

"Too late he learned the truth of this - murdered by his own son. He gave his life as he lived it - in service to a dream we all share."

―Charles Lee at Haytham's funeral, 1782.^[src]

After Connor had completed assisting the French Armada at the Battle of the Chesapeake, he had convinced the Admiral to allow the use of five ships for the attack on Fort George. While they fired from New York Harbor from above, Connor sneaked below the area, through the underground tunnel network to reach Lee. Haytham, who still had a quartering in Fort George, had been working with his plans there with Lee prior to when the attack finally occurred. Believing danger for his co-conspirator's life and his plans, he sent Lee off in hopes that he would survive to continue on, while Haytham stayed to deal his son.

Connor, who had been injured in an explosion, was struggling by the time he found his father instead of his original target. When Connor reached the most defended point, Haytham was waiting for him, starting a fight that had him with the obvious upper-hand. The odds were slightly evened when Connor managed to stab Haytham in the arm, and a grueling battle began, forcing Connor to use the environment to his advantage. Eventually, a small explosion led to them both dropping to the ground. Haytham reacted quickly and attempted to strangle Connor while belittling the nature of the Assassins and their creed against the Templars, but Connor quickly and fatally stabbed his father in the neck with the Hidden Blade, ending Haytham's life and his rule as the Templar Grand Master.

Personality and characteristics

"The difference between me and those you serve is that I don't feign affection."

―Haytham Kenway to Connor.^[src]

From the beginning, Haytham was very focused on his beliefs, every action concerning his Templar mindset. After learning that he would be unable to enter the storehouse, he grew quite concerned on setting up a power for the Templars in the Colonies.

As a young man, Haytham acted as a member of authority, slightly conceited in some ways, evident by his ignoring lower class civilians. When in the company of people closer to what he believed to be his level of intelligence or class, he was quite kind and more well-mannered. This, though, doesn't seem to tie up with his respect towards the Native Americans, who many considered savages, and would surely have been below his intelligence. Indeed, he even engaged in a relationship with one. Occasionally, he would make a small joke, but in most situations he was relatively serious. He was kind towards the natives, saving their lives, and apologizing towards those he disturbed during The Begger's Opera.

He also showed a compassionate side. He did not kill the child at the Opera after he had witnessed his kill, and he readily agreed to help Franklin find his Almanac pages if he saw any. He also spared Braddock's life, despite his betrayal. He also saved the life of the sailor aboard the ship to America, during the storm, displaying his courage, and he was unflinching in a fight, defending Charles against Connor, and acting cool when captured by Church's men while tailing the convoy.

When he was older, he experienced significant change from how he was in his younger years. At this time, he was shown to be a more irrational and impulsive individual, forcing people to do the dirty work and jumping into situations he knew he would make another person finish. Haytham had also become much more cruel in some ways, callously killing his prisoners (though he was secretly shocked by his own cruelty, as he wrote in his journal). In the company of his son, though, his hardened demeanor softened in some ways, or he made an attempt to be nice without displaying too much emotion. Shortly before his death, he became more fatherly towards his son in an attempt to kindle a relationship with him. Despite his attempts though, his care for the Templar cause fell greater than that of his son, and so he ultimately attempted to kill him in order to protect it. Despite this, he seemed generally distraught when Connor cut ties with him after the face off with Washington. In this way, he can be seen to sacrifice even those things close to him, all in the ultimate interests of mankind, even if his methods are less than stellar, recalling the Creed of the Assassin's, who kill because they must. In this way, he still holds onto his Assassin upbringing.

Despite this, it seems he harbored love for his son, even if he did try to bury it; what with his attempt to work with him, and his last remark that he was was proud of him. Haytham's book, 'Forsaken' also brings to light that Haytham saved Connor's life at his execution. The hanging rope was not properly cut by the Assassin's, so he directed a throwing knife to it, severing the rope and saving his son's life. He also expressed shock and regret at Ziio's death, and the fact he left her when she cut off contact with him with no argument, honoring her wishes, shows that he was very capable of love towards his family. While he certainly had personal reasons, he was appalled by Lee's willingness to kill Native Americans, and insisted that slaughtering innocents went against Templar ideals.

Equipment and skills

"I am an expert swordsman. And I am skilled in the business of death. I take no pleasure in my skill. Simply, I am good at it."

―Haytham, describing his lethal prowess.^[src]

Haytham was a capable freerunner, able to stealthily climb the inside of an opera house and the buildings of Colonial America with little effort. He was also an avid planner, able to quickly come up with infiltration techniques that would cripple the enemy. As well as that, he was a charismatic speaker and a master of both deception and stealth. When it came to combat, Haytham claimed to be, and was indeed, a master swordsman, utilizing an elegant fencing style drastically different to his son's feral combat techniques. He also possessed two Hidden Blades as well as the rare ability of Eagle Vision. Other weapons he used included a sword, flintlock pistol, and musket. He would use whatever was available to get the upper hand, such as strangling an executioner with his feet and throwing him into an enemy.

Romantic life

"I'm actually curious to know what your mother might have said about me. I always wondered what life might have been like had she and I stayed together."

―Haytham speaking to Ratonhnhaké:ton about Kaniehtí:io.^[src]

As a child, Haytham attracted a few interests from women he grew up around in Queen Anne's Square, though because of his father's work as an Assassin caused his family to be alienated by the people. Over the years travelling with Reginald and working as a Templar, Haytham experienced few romantic encounters, always feeling his dedication to the Order was more important than pursuing a family.

The most serious romantic relationship Haytham shared with was Kaniehtí:io, a member of the Mohawk tribe. They met when Haytham saved her from British slavers working for Silas, after breaking into Southgate, he released her from captivity. After Silas was killed, she was escorting her people who were freed by Haytham out of the fortress.

By winter 1755, Haytham officially met Ziio after chasing her around the forest outside of Lexington after he was trying to show her the emblems on the Precursor amulet. The pair soon worked together with taking down General Edward Braddock who was occupying her people's lands. Originally, Ziio distrusted Haytham but he was going to prove her wrong, but she soon warmed up to him after a bar fight in Concord, she applied alcohol on a cloth on a wound he received on his face.

Eight months later, Ziio met with Haytham and his associates along with allied tribe leaders who were going to bring down Braddock. She saved Haytham's life after he was nearly killed by George Washington.

After Braddock was defeated, Ziio took Haytham to the Precursor site where she saw the symbols on the amulet. After Haytham failed to open the door because he lacked another piece, Ziio comforted him and the couple kissed.

They had another moment together which led to the conception of their son, sometime before that, she discovered that he allowed Braddock to live during their confrontation, he revealed to her his affiliation as a Templar and respected her wishes for him to leave and never come back.

Haytham was surprised when he discovered Connor was his child. When he finally met up with Connor, he told him he always wondered what life would have been like for the three of them had he and Ziio stayed together and wondered what she might have said about him. He clearly showed distraught when he discovered Ziio's death.

Final words

Connor: Surrender, and I will spare you.
Haytham: Brave words for someone about to die.
Connor: You fare no better!
Haytham: Even when your kind appears to triumph... still, we rise again. And, do you know why? It is because the Order is born of a REALIZATION. We require no creed! No indoctrination by desperate, old men. All we need is that the world be as it is. And THIS is why the Templars will never be destroyed!

Connor managed to stab Haytham in the neck with the Hidden Blade.

Haytham: Don't think I have any intention of caressing your cheek and saying I was wrong. I will not weep, and wonder what might have been. I'm sure you understand. Still, I'm proud of you in a way. You have shown great conviction, strength, courage, all noble qualities... I should have killed you long ago.
Connor: Goodbye, father.

Trivia

Haytham's name is connected with an eagle, continuing the eagle motif set by Aquilus, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Aveline de Grandpré and Nikolai Orelov.
Like some of Desmond's ancestors, the meaning of Haytham's name related to his character:
- "Haytham" is an Arabic name meaning "young eagle."
- "Kenway" is an Old English name meaning "brave royal fighter."
Like his son and father, he did not possess the scar on his lip that some of Desmond's other ancestors displayed.
Haytham had an eagle symbol on his jacket's left cuff, and what appeared to be a broken, rusted Assassin insignia on his right bracer. His cloak was also adorned by symbols both resembling a Templar cross near the top, and a Freemason insignia near the middle.
Haytham was the first playable Templar in the Assassin's Creed series' single player mode, and the first playable ancestor who wore a hat instead of the symbolic white hood of the Assassins, the second being Aveline de Grandpré.
- In addition, the only mission playable without Haytham's hat was when he entered the Theatre Royal at the start of Assassin's Creed III.
Haytham was the only known Templar capable of using Eagle Vision.
He was the second known ancestor of Desmond to be a Templar, the other being Maria Thorpe.
Haytham's left Hidden Blade was unlike those of previous ancestors, being shorter and closer to his wrist.
Haytham was the fourth known Templar to perform a Leap of Faith, others being Francesco de' Pazzi, Vali cel Tradat and Daniel Cross.
The interactions between Haytham and Connor showed similarities to William and Desmond, specifically concerning personality and conversations.
Ironically, Haytham mentioned near to the start of Assassin's Creed III that he cut ties with Edward Braddock for his ruthlessness and slaughter of innocents, which he later began showing signs of by the end of the game.
Haytham once owned a short sword given to him by his father, but lost it in a battle with Miko. Similarly, Haytham's Hidden Blade once belonged to Miko, before Haytham had stolen it.
During his final confrontation with Connor, Haytham justifies the Templars by stating that "all mankind was built to serve". This cryptic reference is an allusion to how humans were originally a slave race under the First Civilization.

Gallery

Haytham talking with Samuel Smythe.
Haytham on board the Providence.
Haytham with Kaniehtí:io.
Haytham warning Edward Braddock.
Haytham inducting Charles Lee into the Templar Order.
Haytham with an accomplice shortly before the Boston Massacre.
Haytham with his fellow Templars.

References