Hugh Robinson

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Hugh Robinson was an English performer, known as the "African Hercules," for the Aurora Equestrian Troupe. After the troupe disbanded, he and his wife, Nell Robinson, opened up a costume and fancy dress store, Robinson & Co: Purveyors of Theatrical Apparatus, Costumes, & Stage Properties.

Biography

Troupe days

Very little is known about Hugh Robinson's past, except he was born in Manchester, England and, at some point, he joined the Aurora Equestrian Troupe. He later met and married Nell Robinson, who was part of the behind-the-scenes crew of the troupe.

In 1851, the troupe opened up at the Crystal Palace at the Great Exhibition, where Hugh opened up the show as the "African Hercules." For his act, he rode on two horses around the ring, presenting as himself as the strongman. After two years in London, Hugh and his troupe traveled to multiple cities in Europe and rose to the occasion. Hugh and Ariel Fine even composed a new act of comedy mixed with knife-throwing, which proved successful. He and his circus family eventually found a temporary base in Vienna.

In 1854, Hugh and the acrobat, Pierrette Arnaud, discussed about adapting their routines while in Prague. He agreed to teach her knife-throwing as he introduced his new skill as a experienced gunslinger by shooting to put out candles with a shot. Traveling once more, their performances were successful until he and the troupe witnessed both their leader, Major Wallin, and his daughter Tillie Wallin fall ill to typhoid. In 1855, while in Frankfurt, as the Wallin's recuperated, Hugh, Ariel, Jovita Ferreira, Nell, and Pierrette discussed their future for the troupe. After Arnaud's idea for Birmingham, Hugh and the rest of the troupe agreed, more or less.

Life in London and fighting the Magus

After many years, the troupe dissolved as Hugh suffered a back injury that took him out of the circus. With Nell, he found himself as an owner to a costume store. Both he and Nell invited Tillie for dinner every Sunday after their troupe days ended. In 1861, Hugh and Nell received both Pierrette and Tillie at their stope, despite Arnaud being out of contact for four years. However, Hugh, Nell, and Tillie heard Pierrette's apology for leaving them for Ada as they all forgave her and promised to help in her mission. As they equipped Pierrette, he gave a pendant necklace filled with clubmoss powder. He explained that when blown near a spark, she could breathe out fire.

In 1862, Hugh, along with Tillie and Ariel, came to help Pierrette and her mentor, Simeon Price, find and defeat the Magus, Oscar Kane, besides an alley near Bath Abbey. Trying to find Kane, Hugh and Price found a coal bunker within the alley and lifted its lid. Yet, he stayed with Arnaud as Simeon ventured alone into the bunker. However, once Kane and Price began to fight, everyone in the alley had found a fight of their own. Soon, both fights intertwined as Hugh was in a shootout with one of Kane's henchmen. However, as Kane's numbers dwindled, Hugh, Ariel, and all of Arnaud's and Price's allies cornered Kane, who held Pierrette hostage on a walkway.

With Ariel, he and Fine swung a lasso around Kane's shoulders. Yet, one of Kane's henchman lived and knocked down both Hugh and Ariel as Kane tried to free himself. Fortunately, their plan worked as Arnaud pulled Kane down over the walkway. With the walkway unstable, the bunker became unstable as all of them, besides Price, began to escape the collapsing room. After Price killed Kane, Hugh and his troupe stayed in Bath for a couple of days afterwards to recuperate before going back home.

Personality and skills

Hugh Robinson was an African Englishman, who developed many talents, such as knife-throwing and good marksmanship, and worked as a strongman during his circus days.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy