Master of the Sacred Palace
The Master of the Sacred Palace (unknown – 1500) was a Dominican friar affiliated with the Borgia, and a member of the Templar Order. He was charged with ensuring that all religious philosophies remained the most common source of knowledge to the general populace.
Biography
In 1500, Nicolaus Copernicus, a fellow Templar, shared his knowledge of science with the public, which was forbidden by the Templar Order. Thus, the Master of the Sacred Palace sent several guards to kill Copernicus and many of his fellow scholars, to ensure their silence. All but one of the scholars were saved however, by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, at Copernicus' request.
Copernicus later concluded that the Master of the Sacred Palace was the most likely source of the attacks, and Ezio eventually managed to track down and kill him.
Before his death, the Master explained that Ezio was too late to save Copernicus, as he had already sent his most dependable agent to kill him. Nevertheless, Ezio managed to rescue Copernicus from the assassin.
Trivia
- The Master wore the same clothes as Brother Ristoro, though in different colors.
- The character may be based on Annio da Viterbo or Paolo Giustiniani, two Dominicans known to have held the office of Master of the Sacred Palace, and have died around 1500.