JOURNEY INTO
VALHALLA
INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUME “Assassin’s Creed” is a registered trademark owned by Ubisoft. The following volume is an amateur work created by the team of “La Cripta degli Assassini”, made on a non-profit basis. The “Journey Into Valhalla” aims to analyze in several respects what will be the setting of the now imminent “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla”, the new chapter of the award-winning Ubisoft series arriving on November 10th. The volume will analyze the geopolitical context of England between the eighth and ninth centuries AD, the period of the great Viking invasions of the island, by the Great Danish Army, led by the sons of the semi-legendary ruler Ragnarr Loðbrók. Various historical figures linked to these events will be explored, as well as various mythological elements that characterized Norse and English culture.
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Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
THE GAME
The game
ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA
“Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla” is the title of the new chapter of the series, due out at the end of 2020. Development is entrusted to Ubisoft Montreal, the studio behind “Assassin’s Creed: Origins” and “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag”. The release is scheduled for November 10, 2020. The game will be available for PS4 / Pro / PS5, Xbox One / X / Series X, PC and Google Stadia. The development of the game started in 2017, and Ubisoft Montreal was joined by 14 other studios during the making of Valhalla. The story is set during the Viking era, in the 9th century AD. (around the year 870). The protagonist, Eivor, will be a Viking marauder who will lead his people to the lands of present-day England, for various reasons: political reasons, for survival and, above all, for a series of unspecified narrative events. Speaking of the protagonist, Darby McDevitt immediately brought up Edward Kenway, comparing the roles of the two characters within the conflict between Assassins and Templars (Occult and Order of the Ancients at the time). Eivor will still be very different from Edward, as the pirate immediately tried to take advantage of the conflict he ended up in, but the starting point will be basically very similar. Unlike several protagonists of the series, Eivor will be a character already “made and accomplished”: he will not be a novice, but a respected figure with a certain fame within his clan.
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The game
ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA
In terms of mythology, the story of Valhalla will be much more “down to earth” than that of Odyssey. The culture and religion of the Vikings will be at the center of the story, and the more mythological aspect will be treated more from a religious point of view than “mystical”. In terms of comparison, McDevitt cited Origins as an example of how mythological figures will be treated. As for the antagonists, as seen in the trailer, the character of Alfredo the Great will be one of the main opponents of the game (side note: historically it is not known how the character died) but he will not be the central antagonist of the story. During the events of Valhalla, the Ancients will have different aims and ideologies than those of the modern Templars. The game will explore how Eivor, Sigurd and their clan will forever influence the fate of the two organizations, the Hidden ones and the Ancients.
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Part I
THE HISTORY
The history
THE VIKING AGE
The Viking Age is a historical period between the year 790 AD. and 1066 AD, characterized by the expansion of the North Germanic populations - which ended concurrently with the Norman conquest of England. Geographically, this period involved the current regions of northern Europe, such as Norway, Denmark and Sweden, but also Scotland, Ireland, Normandy, and Greenland. Although it occurred at different times, the end of this era began in the eleventh century, in Scandivania, due to the spread of Christianity as the dominant religion and the rise of kings and noble families, whose powers made Viking plunder less and less. profitable. For similar reasons, the Viking era in Sweden and Norway ended between 1020 and 1030, while in England the defeat of Norwegian troops at the Battle of Stamford Bridge put an end to Viking rule in these regions. The Viking people worshiped several deities, among which Odin, Thor and Freyr stood out, characters at the basis of most of the Nordic myths and sagas. Among the protagonists of these mythological epics we find the Skjaldmær, known in English with the name of “Shieldmaiden”, that is to say warrior women - figures inspired by the legendary Valkyries. The actual existence or otherwise of such figures is still the subject of discussion today: in addition to some actual mentions in the chronicles of the time, graves of female figures containing weapons and equipment have been found over the years. In fact, it was Viking custom to bury the dead with the weapons they belonged to, such as swords and shields; women were instead buried with precious objects, such as brooches or jewels. 7
The history
VIKING WEAPONS
In the Viking era, the social status of the Norsemen was represented by the type and quality of the weapons they possessed. In particular, only free men enjoyed the right to go around armed. Among the types of weapons that the Norse people used there were bows (generally hunting, but also used in battle), spears (the most common weapon among Viking warriors), swords (generally used with one hand, combined with one shield) and axes (with larger heads and longer handles than those used to work wood). Also used were the Atgeir, similar to large sickles, and the Scramasax, long knives used both in daily life and in battle. Regarding the armor, contrary to the usual representations there is no evidence that the Vikings used helmets with horns. Chain mail (very expensive protections for the time) and large shields were used which could be attached to Viking ships in special housings to protect the crew from the elements. Among the different ways of burial there was also that of placing the remains of the deceased in ships that were subsequently set on fire. Typically, the dead were buried under small mounds of earth.
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The history
ALFRED THE GREAT
Alfred the Great was the ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from the year 871 AD. until 899 AD, revered as a saint by the Catholic Church. Historically, Alfredo is remembered for his defense of the English kingdom against Viking invasions (hence the epithet “the Great”). In May 878 he participated and emerged victorious from the battle of Ethandun, a clash that marked the defeat and retreat of the Danish invading forces from the kingdom of Wessex (corresponding to the current southwestern area of England). Following this event, the Danes were confined to the Danelaw area, a portion of English land controlled by the Viking forces located in the eastern part of present-day England. With his victory, Alfredo entered into a peace agreement with the Viking ruler Guthrum, with the promise that he would be baptized - which happened after a few weeks. The Viking king’s conversion to Christianity guaranteed Alfredo a moral superiority over the peoples of Danelaw. In addition to his military exploits, Alfredo is also known for being a promoter of culture within his kingdom, having numerous texts translated from Latin. He also contributed to the drafting of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the first historical document written in Old English. He died at the age of 50, and although he had suffered all his life from a painful disease (probably Crohn’s disease) it is not known how his death occurred.
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The history
GUTHRUM
Guthrum was a Danish ruler who lived during the 9th century AD, king of the Danelaw region, an area located in the east of England, at the time under the control of the Viking populations who settled in the region. Starting from the year 874 Guthrum declared war on the Wessex region, at the time led by the sovereign Alfred the Great: the first clash with the forces of the English king, from which Guthrum came out victorious, took place around the year 876, near the borders of Wales. The victory of the Viking forces, won thanks to a combined attack by land and by river, led to the stipulation of a peace treaty with the English populations, which was however broken in the year 877, following new attacks against the region of Wessex. After a series of minor defeats, Alfred the Great managed to emerge victorious from the Battle of Ethandun, as a result of which Guthrum and his subjects were confined to the Danelaw. Following the defeat of the Viking forces, Alfredo obtained the stipulation of a new peace treaty, which imposed the definitive retreat of the Danes from the Wessex region and, above all, the baptism of the ruler Guthrum, an episode that took place a few weeks later. Conversion to Christianity guaranteed Alfredo moral superiority over the Danelaw populations, but also had political implications in relations between the British and the Vikings. Guthrum died in the year 890.
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The history
VINLAND: VIKINGS IN AMERICA
Starting from the 10th century AD, the Viking populations began a process of colonization of some of the territories of North America, specifically Greenland and Vinlandia, now known as Newfoundland. Among the figures involved in this trial was Erik Thorvaldsson, known as Erik the Red, who, sentenced to exile for murder in the year 982 AD, went as far as Greenland. Leaving from the Icelandic coast, Erik arrived in North America around the year 985 AD. The colonization initiated by Erik led to the birth of a thriving colony made up of a population ranging from 3000 to 5000 people. It was Erik’s son, Leif Erikson, the first Viking to explore Vinland. This event was confirmed in 1961, with the discovery of some Viking tombs in the northern area of Newfoundland. This story dates back to around the year 1010 AD, the year in which Erik the Red died. In “Assassin’s Creed: Rogue” there is, among the many unlockable outfits, a Viking armor, recoverable right in the North Atlantic area. A nice easter egg dedicated to these real events.
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The history
THE GREAT HEATHEN ARMY
The Great Heathen Army is the name of a coalition of Norse warriors, originating in Denmark (but also including warriors from Norway and Sweden) with the aim of invading the four kingdoms that made up England, starting from the year 865 AD. Unlike the Viking raids that took place in the 8th century, which focused on lightning assaults in order to plunder the English wealth (against, for example, monasteries and churches), the Grand Army was intended to occupy and conquer large territories, thanks to a more articulated organization of the troops. The Great Army is mentioned in the “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle”, a collection of annals written under the reign of Alfred the Great: the British called it the “Great Pagan Army”. According to the chronicles of the time, the Army was led by four prominent figures: Hvitserk, Ivar Without Bones, Bjorn Flank of Iron and Ubbe, all sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, a semi-legendary ruler whose existence was never actually proven , due to the absence of reliable documentary sources. Similarly, the figures of Bjorn and Hvistark are also partially shrouded in legend, due to the inaccuracy of the chronicles of the time. The Great Danish Army acted over the course of 14 years: the sources of the time do not report precise indications on the actual size of the army, probably made up of several thousand men and about a hundred ships.
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The history
THE SIEGE OF PARIS (1/2)
The Siege of Paris took place between the years 885 and 886, and saw the Vikings besieging the city of Paris, at the time the capital of the Kingdom of the Western Franks, during the reign of Emperor Charles III “The Big”. Starting from the year 845, the Vikings undertook a series of raids and attacks on today’s French city by going up the river Seine: during the decade of the year 860 Paris was attacked three times. In 864 a series of fortified bridges were built along the river (two of which in Paris itself, one on each side of the Île de la Cité, one of the two river islands that formed the center of the city in the Middle Ages) which were particularly useful in the course of the siege of 885. The city began to be heavily fortified under the leadership of the Duke of France Robert the Strong, who was succeeded by his son Odo, who continued the work. According to reports, the Vikings attacked the city with an army of 30,000 men and 700 ships (unrealistic figures) after Charles III refused to pay the tribute requested by Sigfred, head of the Germanic tribe of Dani. The attacks began on November 26, and continued in the following months with different strategies: the Vikings tried to fill the river using rubble and debris to be able to attack the north-eastern tower of the city (strategic structure for the French) without success; they tried to launch burning ships against one of the city’s bridges, without success. Due to a flood of the river, the bridge was subsequently destroyed, an event that allowed the attackers to isolate and destroy the tower.
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The history
THE SIEGE OF PARIS (2/2)
In order to continue their march, a large part of the Viking army moved beyond Paris, sacking the cities of Le Mans and Chartres: a garrison was however left near the French capital. Meanwhile, Count Oddone managed to send a series of distress calls beyond enemy lines, which reached both Italy and Germany: The Marquis Henry of Franconia, representing Emperor Charles III in Germany, marched to Paris , bringing new supplies and reinforcements to the French. Sigfred withdrew his troops in April 886, leaving only Rollone (another Viking leader leading the siege) to lead the offensive. During the month of May, a violent epidemic struck the Parisians: Count Odo personally reached the emperor, who agreed to follow him along with the Marquis Henry of Saxony, who nevertheless died during the journey. During the summer, the remaining Vikings tried one last time to take the city, but were rejected. In October the great imperial army finally arrived in Paris, driving out the Vikings to the north. Emperor Charles III surrounded the enemy troops, without however having any intention of facing them. Over the following spring the Vikings finally left France, receiving a payment of 700 pounds of silver from the emperor. Thwarted by the Parisians and by Odo himself, the Dani were unable to leave France along the Seine, and were therefore forced to pull the ships ashore and drag them to the Marne River.
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Part II
BETWEEN HISTORY AND MYTH
Between history and myth
THE “SHIELD-MAIDEN”
The “Shield-maidens”, (original name: skjaldmær) were female figures who, within Norse mythology, had chosen to fight as warriors. The historical veracity of such figures has never been precisely established, although archaeological evidence has been found that would support the figure of the warrior woman in the Viking era. Mythologically, the figure of the warrior woman was very widespread in Nordic culture (think of the Valkyries, female warriors in the service of Odin who had the purpose of deciding who would die and who survived during the battles; they were also the ones who led the fallen in the salt of Valhalla, to prepare for Ragnarok). Among the most famous mythological Shield-maidens is Brunhild, sovereign of Iceland whose figure is linked to the myth of the Nibelungs and Siegfried (in Norse mythology, she is identified as a Valkyrie). From a historical point of view, weapons and military equipment have been discovered in various women’s tombs, although archaeologists have never been able to find a unique interpretation of these findings. According to some historical chronicles dating back to the 10th century AD, several bodies of warrior women were found after the conclusion of the siege of Dorostolon (in present-day Bulgaria) by the army of the Varangians (Norse populations who emigrated to the south-eastern regions) led by Svyatoslav I of Kiev, ruler of Kievan Rus’ (including part of present day Ukraine, western Russia and neighboring regions).
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Between history and myth
IVARR “BONELESS” RAGNARSSON
Ivarr “Boneless” Ragnarsson (also called inn beinlausi) was a Viking chieftain who lived between 801 and 870 AD. Ivarr was one of the sons of the semi-legendary ruler Ragnarr Loobròk (king who, according to legends, ruled over Sweden and Denmark in the second half of the 9th century), as well as one of the four leaders of the Great Heaten Army. The deeds of Ivarr began in the year 865, after the death of his father, which occurred at the hands of Aelle II of Northumbria, king of the homonymous English kingdom (located in northern England): in order to avenge the wrong suffered, the Ragnarr’s sons waged war on Aelle, but were defeated. Thanks to his cunning, Ivarr made peace with the sovereign, gaining control over some lands in the region, with the promise not to wage war on Northumbria. The following year, however, Ivarr rallied his brothers and several other warriors, attacking and defeating Aelle, thus managing to avenge his father’s death: the chronicles report that the ruler of Northumbria fell in battle, while according to some sagas he perished after being was brutally tortured by the sons of Ragnarr. The Great Army continued to expand its domains under the leadership of Ivarr and his brothers: the Viking invaders reached the regions of Mercia and Anglia, clashing with the forces of Alfred the Great. Ivarr’s death is dated to the year 870, although some chronicles associate the leader with the figure of “Imar”, a Norse leader who died in the year 873. Ivarr’s nickname, “Boneless”, could be due to his impotence, or even to a form of Osteogenesis imperfecta. 17
Between history and myth
BJORN “IRONSIDE” RAGNARSSON
Björn “Ironside” Ragnarsson was a semi-legendary Swedish ruler, son of Ragnarr Loðbrók and Aslaug, who was said to be the daughter of the legendary hero Siegfried and his wife Brunhilde. According to the “Ragnarssona þáttr” saga, Bjorn and his brothers conquered various regions of Denmark and Sweden, settling in the city of Lejre under the leadership of Ivarr “Without Bones”. Envious of the successes of his children, Ragnarr installed Eysteinn Beli to the throne of Sweden, in order to protect him from the claims of his children: the sovereign decided to demonstrate his worth, starting east in order to raid and prove his worth. . During this period, Eiríkr and Agnarr (half brothers of Bjorn and Ivarr) reached the court of Eysteinn, ordering him to submit to the sons of Ragnarr: the ruler refused, and in the battle that followed both perished (Eirìkr was captured and subsequently killed). To avenge the insult, Bjorn, Hvítserkr and his mother Aslaug set sail for Sweden: in the colossal battle that followed, Eysteinn was killed. Together with his brothers Ivarr, Bjorn led the Great Heaten Army, facing and defeating the ruler Aelle II of Northumbria, responsible for Ragnarr’s death. After avenging his father, Bjorn continued his raids throughout England and Wales, also arriving in France and Italy, specifically in Luni, an Italian city located in Liguria, which he believed was Rome. Realizing he had not reached the city he had hoped for, Bjorn gave up the idea of continuing after hearing about the excellent defenses of the Roman troops. Back in England, the ship in which Iron Side was traveling was wrecked, and he barely survived the disaster. According to the chronicles, Bjorn went as far as the Netherlands, where he died. 18
Between history and myth
UBBE RAGNARSSON
Ubbe was one of the Viking leaders leading the Great Danish Army, son of the semi-legendary Swedish king Ragnarr Lobrok. Driven by the desire to avenge his father’s death, he joined the brothers Ivarr “Boneless” and Halfdan in their campaign to invade the English kingdoms. According to historical records, Ubbe participated in the Battle of Cynuit, which took place in the year 878 at the Fort of the same name: the Viking forces led by him landed on the neighboring coast (in Canningron, Somerset - although it has never been possible to establish precisely what ) forcing the English troops to take refuge inside the outpost, which lacked adequate fortifications. The strategy of the Viking leader was to station his troops outside the fortress, awaiting the surrender of the English forces due to the lack of food and resources: surprisingly, however, the Anglo-Saxon troops attacked the invaders, obtaining a very important victory against the invasion forces. In the course of the battle, Ubbe was killed. The British managed to capture the Hrefn, the “Raven Banner”, a banner depicting a raven (probably to symbolize Odin) used by the Vikings to intimidate their enemies, which had an important meaning for the leaders of the Great Danish Army.
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Between history and myth
HALFDAN RAGNARSSON
Halfdan Ragnarsson was one of the Viking leaders at the head of the Great Danish Army, son of the semi-legendary Ragnarr Lobrok and brother of Ivarr “Without Bones”, Bjorn “Flank of Iron” and Ubbe. Some historical analyzes tend to associate the figure of Halfdan with that of another son of Ragnarr, Hvitserk (a name that could have been an epithet to distinguish the leader, Halfdan being a very common name among the Nordic populations). Halfdan was the first Viking warrior to become ruler of the kingdom of Northumbria around the year 865, after the death of the ruler Aelle II, responsible for the death of Ragnarr. In the following years he led the Viking forces to conquer new regions and cities: the Vikings managed to take possession of Nottingham, but were subsequently defeated and forced to retreat by an alliance between the rulers of Mercia and Wessex (Burgred of Mercia, Ethelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred the Great). In the year 875 the historical chronicles report that the king of Dublin, Eystein Olafsson, was killed by “Albann”, a figure that historians associated with Halfdan: according to the reconstructions, Halfdan’s aim was to regain the throne that had been of brother Ivarr. His role as ruler of the Irish city, however, came to an end around the year 876, when he was deposed while in York. In an attempt to regain the throne the following year he failed, and Halfdan met his death in the Battle of Strangford Lough.
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Part III
THE SETTING
The Setting
LONDON
The origins of the city of London date back to prehistoric times, both during the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. During the Roman rule of England (which began in the year 43 AD) the “city” played an important role during the second century, becoming the capital of Roman Britain: the population at the time was about 60,000. inhabitants, and featured numerous important buildings, such as temples, baths, an amphitheater and a basilica. Following the abandonment of Britain by the Romans, the area on which the city stands was occupied, starting from the sixth century, by the Anglo-Saxon population, who however occupied different areas than those previously occupied by the Romans. From the middle of the sixth century, the London area was aggregated to the kingdom of Essex, the “kingdom of the Saxons of the East”. In the following centuries another settlement arose in the vicinity of the original Roman camp, having the name of Lundenwic: it was a village and commercial center, which came under the control of the kingdom of Mercia first, and under that of Wessex later, around the ‘year 825. During the ninth century London was sacked several times by Viking invaders: attacks were recorded in the years 842 (historically known as “the great massacre”), 851 and 865. It seems that for a certain period, after the year 871, London was subject to Viking rule, although there are no certain sources to prove this. With the victory of Alfred the Great over the Vikings, the ruler ordered a massive reinforcement of the kingdom’s defense systems, including the London area. The ancient Roman walls present there were strengthened: these interventions went on to define what would later become the current City of London. 22
The Setting
YORK
York was founded in the 1st century AD. during the Roman rule of Britannia, with the name of Eboracum. The city was born as an outpost with the purpose of allowing a constant supply to the legions stationed in Britain, in order to continue and consolidate the Roman conquest of the island. Thanks to its position, York soon became a strategic outpost also from a commercial point of view, an event that led to a rapid increase in the resident population. The abandonment of Britain by the Romans at the beginning of the fifth century led to a rapid decline for York, which ended up destroyed by the Saxons in those years. Around 500 different Germanic populations settled in these areas, founding the kingdom of Northumbria, which included most of the regions of northern England. During the eighth century, York became an important center of study, as well as one of the two archbishops on the island. However, around the year 866, the city fell under Viking rule, invaded by the forces of the Great Danish Army (an event linked, according to some sagas, to the desire for revenge on the part of the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, killed by the ruler of Northumbria Aelle II of Northumbria), and was elected capital of the Viking kingdom of JĂłrvĂk, founded from the year 876. The independence of the kingdom ended at the beginning of the 11th century AD, around the middle of the year 1060, when the Norman ruler William the Conqueror settled in the city of York, building military fortifications. Between the years 1070 and 1085 the Danish Vikings tried several times to regain control of the kingdom, without success.
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The Setting
STONEHENGE
Stonehenge is a Neolithic archaeological site located in the English county of Wiltshire, in the southwest of England. It is the most imposing and famous “cromlech” (a term that means “stone circle” in Breton) in existence. The current conformation and position of the monolithic stones that make up the site actually dates back to the first half of the 20th century, when a sophisticated restoration and strengthening of the structure brought Stonehenge to have the appearance it still has today: it is believed that this arrangement does not fully reflect the original conformation of the stone elements. Among the different interpretations given to the structure, it is believed that it may be an ancient astronomical observatory, with a particular significance in the days of the solstice and equinox. The construction of the site was dated between 3100 BC. and 1600 BC, since it was found that several elements were added during the distinct construction phase (there are at least 3, in turn divided into sub-periods). In the Arthurian myth, Stonehenge is associated with the figure of the Wizard Merlin, who wanted it to be removed from Ireland (where it was originally built by “Giants”) and then rebuilt in the English county. Uther Pendragon, father of the famous King Arthur, was buried inside the stone circle.
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The Setting
LINCOLN
Lincoln is an English city located in the county of Lincolnshire, a region in the eastern part of England. The city has Roman origins: its foundation took place around the year 48 AD, when the legionaries built a fortress close to a large natural lake located in that region. The town’s original name, in Celtic, was “Lindon”, later Latinized to “Lindum”. Between the fifth and sixth centuries, Germanic tribes settled in the Lincolnshire region, but it was during the Viking invasions that the city returned to have some importance as a commercial center. In the year 886, after the creation of the Danelaw region (an area of England dominated by Viking populations) it became one of the five main cities of the Mercia region. The construction of new villages and outposts in the rural areas adjacent to the city dates back to that period. In the year 1068, King William I built a new castle, still present today, where the ancient Roman fortress once stood. In the following years a large cathedral was also built, completed around the year 1092.
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The Setting
SHERWOOD AND NOTTINGHAM
Sherwood Forest is located in the county of Nottingham, a region of central England. Historically, such places are associated with the myth of Robin Hodd and his cheerful cronies. The current extension of the forest is approximately 4.22 square kilometers, only a portion of what were the original dimensions of the area. Inside the forest is the “Major Oak”, a tree of millenary origins which, according to local folklore, was Robin Hood’s refuge. During the Victorian era, a system of scaffolding was built in order to support and give structural support to the massive oak. Another place linked to the myth is Nottingham Castle, a fortress whose construction began in the year 1068 AD: the original structure was made of wood, replaced in the following century by a massive stone structure. The fortress has always played a strategic role within the region, and was equipped with a huge private park, intended for deer hunting. During a series of popular protests that took place around the year 1830, the castle was set on fire.
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Part IV
THE MYTH
The Myth
ARTHUR PENDRAGON
Arthur Pendragon, better known as King Arthur, was a legendary English ruler who lived (according to medieval stories) between the 5th and 6th centuries AD. As universally known, the figure of Arthur is closely linked to that of the legendary sword Excalibur, the mythical “sword in the stone” thanks to which Arthur obtained the throne. Upon the death of the king, the sword was thrown into a magical lake, thus returning it to the Lady of the Lake, a figure linked to the legend of Arthur. The character of Arthur, within the lore of Assassin’s Creed, was a British ruler who opposed the Saxon invasions in the early sixth century AD. Arthur was a member of one of the groups that would later evolve into the Templar Order. As revealed in the Glyphs of AC2, the ruler was in possession of a very powerful artifact, a Sword of Eden known as Excalibur, which - as in the myth - he obtained by extracting it from a rock. However, it is not known what happened to Arthur’s Sword of Eden within the lore of the series. The figures of Arthur and the sword Excalibur are linked to the legendary island of Avalon, where the same sword was forged, which is identified with the city of Glastonbury, located in the south-west of England.
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The Myth
THE LEGEND OF BEOWULF
Beowulf is a Saxon epic poem, dating back to around the middle of the eighth century. Although it was written in English (or at least in an ancient variant), the poem takes place in the territories of Denmark and Sweden, and revolves around the story of the hero Beowulf, a brave Nordic warrior who faced various monstrous creatures until becoming king of tribe of the Geats (inhabitants in a region of Sweden). Beowulf faced and defeated the monstrous Grendel, a gigantic creature that tormented the Danish peoples and which, it was said, descended from the lineage of Cain. Beowulf, a mighty warrior endowed with superhuman strength, was able to kill the creature with his bare hands (as it could not be scratched by deadly weapons), ripping off its arm. The celebrations for the monster’s defeat were soon interrupted by the arrival of an equally terrifying creature: the mother of Grendel himself. To face it, Beowulf goes to its lair, located in a deep underwater cave, in which the hero manages to achieve victory, thanks to the use of a powerful magic sword found in those caves. The poem then goes on to narrate the conquests of Beowulf, who became king of the Geats for the next 50 years, only to perish, finally, during the clash with a fearsome dragon that threatened his kingdom. Although there are no references to Beowulf’s story within the Assassin’s Creed lore, two elements immediately catch the eye: the first is the Hero’s Sword, presumably one of the Swords of Eden, as was Excalibur. The other is the monstrous figure of Grendel and his mother: aftermath of the “Olympus project” already seen in Odyssey?
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The Myth
THE “BLACK SHUCK”
The “Black Shuck” is a creature belonging to the English folcrore, a black mastiff that was said to roam the coastal and rural areas of East Anglia. Her appearance was said to be an omen of death, while according to some chronicles she was described as a sociable creature. The origin of the name seems to come from the ancient term “scucca”, which meant “demon, devil”. According to local reports, the animal’s tonnage was almost equal to that of a horse or a calf. According to some chronicles, in 1577 a Black Shuck entered the Holy Trinity church in Blythburgh, Suffolk (located in East Anglia), killing a man and a child, and causing the roof of the church to collapse. In fleeing, the creature left a deep mark on the northern entrance door, still visible today.
Fan-art by Lauren Wood
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The myth
ASGARD
Asgard, or Ásgarðr according to the language that gave rise to this word, is the home of the Asi (or Æsir), the gods that are part of Norse mythology. Composed of a set of kingdoms, Asgard has enormous dimensions, outside of human conception and is, according to the myth, similar to a fortress whose walls were built by the hands of a giant. Its position, although it is always located in the sky, is still the core of theories and hypotheses: if for some in fact Asgard can be considered part of one of the Nine Worlds that surround Yggdrasill, for others this is not found elsewhere except under one of the three roots of the cosmic tree. A further theory, more earthly and curious, sees Asgard in the shoes of Homer’s famous city of Troy, in Turkey. The “castle city” of Asgard is made up of 12 main palaces, all hosting a different god: among these are the Palace of Wali, where Odin’s throne is located, the Palace of Freia, where the warriors who died heroically in war were welcomed, and the Palace of Sàga, where Idun lived (goddess who appeared in a painting in the glyphs of Assassin’s Creed 2 with her apples). Obviously, it is also necessary to mention one of the most famous and incredible elements of Asgard, the Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that connects this kingdom with that of humans, Miðgarðr. The beauty and majesty of Asgard is matched only by the terrible end that awaits it with the arrival of Ragnarok, or the twilight of the gods and the final battle between the forces of good and evil that will see the whole world destroyed and the its consequent rebirth. 31
The Myth
THE VALHALLA
Within Norse mythology, Valhalla is a large and majestic Sinta hall in Asgard (in Old Norse Ásgarðr), a divine kingdom ruled by Odin and residence of the Aesir, the Norse gods. When a Norse warrior died in battle, he could end up in two different places: Valhalla, precisely, or Fólkvangr, a field dominated by the goddess Freia. The Valkyries had the task of guiding those who were destined for Valhalla, in order to reunite them with Odin in order to prepare for the advent of the feared Ragnarök, the epic final battle between the forces of light and those of darkness. According to the descriptions given in the poems, the room had a ceiling decorated with gold shields and featured a huge golden tree in its center, called Glasir. Those who were led to Valhalla by the Valkyries were called einherjar, and represented the bravest warriors who had fallen on the battlefield. Each morning, these fighters (according to the sagas, the halls of Valhalla were so large that they could accommodate at least 800 einherjar) marched to a large battlefield, called Idavoll, where they fought to the death. At the end of the day, all the warriors were miraculously healed and resurrected, and brought back to the halls of Valhalla to be able to enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared by Andhrímnir, the cook of the gods.
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The Myth
CORDELIA AND RE LAIR
Cordelia (or Cordeilla) was a legendary ruler of Britain, whose existence has never been proven, however. The only historical source that mentions it is the “Historia Regum Britanniae”, a chronicle written in Latin dating back to the first half of the 12th century, written by Godfrey of Monmouth. According to historical records, Cordelia was the youngest - as well as the favorite - of the three daughters of the ruler of Britain, Leir (or Lerion), a legendary figure who would have reigned around the eighth century BC. and that he would found the city of Leicester, located in central England, along the banks of the River Soar. Now elderly, Leir decided to divide his kingdom among his legitimate heirs, but Cordelia herself refused to submit to her father’s will. Excluded from the succession and deprived of the dowry, she went to Gaul together with the king of the Franks Aganippus, who asked her in marriage. Left at the mercy of his daughters Goneril and Regan, Leir ended up fleeing his own kingdom to escape the oppression of the two: thanks to Cordelia herself, who provided him with asylum and military support, he was able to regain control of the throne. He died three years later, passing the crown to his daughter: five years later, however, the sisters’ children waged war on Cordelia in order to gain control of the throne. Captured and imprisoned, the queen committed suicide. The story of Leir and his daughters was revived by William Shakespeare in writing his tragedy “King Lear”, set however several centuries later than what is reported in the Chronicle of Godfrey of Monmouth. The events also have a different course: Cordelia and Lear fail in an attempt to regain possession of the throne, being imprisoned and dying shortly after.
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Part V
THE LORE
The Lore
THE HIDDEN ONES IN THE EAST
The meeting between Eivor and the Occult will take place thanks to his brother Sigurd, the first member of the clan to come into contact with the Brotherhood, in Constantinople (although Basim, the Occult, does not come from that city, being of Arab origin, according to his name). As you all know, Constantinople was the main setting of “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations”, the final chapter of Ezio Auditore’s trilogy. The origins of the city date back to the fourth century AD, when the emperor Constantine I transferred the capital of the Roman Empire to the city of Byzantium, re-founding it and giving it, precisely, the name of Constantinople. During that time, a member of the Hidden Ones was active in the emperor’s court, as revealed by the Helix menu at the beginning of “Assassin’s Creed: Unity”. Therefore, starting from Rome, with Aya, the Occults were able to expand towards the east on this very occasion, and then managed to return to the North thanks to their meeting with Sigurd.
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The Lore
THE HIDDEN ONES IN ENGLAND
Probably, the group arrived in the English regions during the Roman invasion of the island, around the first century after Christ, under the emperor Claudius: the Confraternity was in fact active within the Roman Empire since the death of Julius Caesar, under the guide of Aya / Amunet. The escape of the Occults from Britain occurred close to the death of the emperor Honorius, which occurred around the year 423 AD, and the abandonment of the island by the Roman legions. The end of the Roman rule led to an expansion of the native tribes and clans of the island, who did not look favorably on the presence, and above all the actions, of the Brotherhood. Faced with the hostility of the populations of Britain, therefore, the group began fleeing and abandoning the island, moving en masse to the outpost that the Occult had in Germany, in Cologne.
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The Lore
MITRAISM AND THE ANCIENT
Mithras is a deity linked to the Hindu and Persian religions, but he was also a Hellenistic and Roman god, revered in the mystery religions. In the Greco-Roman world, Mithraism began to spread from the 1st century AD, reaching its peak around the 4th century. Banned by a decree of the Roman emperor Theodosius Augustus in 391, this cult died out a little later. Mithraism was a cult that professed “universalism”, but it was mainly practiced by a small elite made up of military, bureaucrats and administrators. The processes and rituals performed were kept secret and reserved for initiates only, and took place in places called Mitrei, located in natural caves or in artificial cavities, dark and windowless places, often underground. Inside these temples, the place of honor was reserved for a representation of the god Mithras, intent on killing a sacred bull: mythologically, the god killed a sacred bull under the advice of the sun god, sticking a knife in his side and letting out from his body all the plants beneficial to man, such as wheat and vine. The internal hierarchy of the Cult was divided into seven ranks, each of them protected by a celestial body: the higher rank was known as “Pater”, the “Father”, protected by Saturn. The term “Pater”, aimed at indicating the highest rank within the Cult, has a curious resemblance to another rank within the Order, namely the “Father of Understanding”. To date, the only figure associated with this title is Julius Caesar, as revealed in the #ACOrigins finale. Could Mithraism have some connection with the Order, or is it even a parallel faction of proto-Templars? Another suggestion ... the god Mithras is represented holding a short sword: could it be a FdE, one of the Swords of Eden? 37