The Assassin's Creed series takes place during real periods in history. But, what parts of

the game are actually based on those periods, and what parts are completely made up?

Some deeper historical context might help:

For example, the organizations in the game. Did the Order of Assassins and the Knights

Templar actually exist?

Well, the Assassins were a real order of Shiite Muslims founded by Hassan-i Sabbah during

the first crusade. Instead of direct attacks, Sabbah would send our particularly devoted

members of the order to kill high-ranking enemy leaders. In fact, it's currently thought

that the term "Assassin" is derived from the term "Assassiyun," meaning "those faithful

to the foundation."

In the game, the Assassin stronghold of Masyaf is the headquarters of the Order. And while

this was the case during the game's timeframe, 1191, the layout of the castle is mostly fictionalized.

The Assassin's power began to wane as the Mongol Empire destroyed many of their strongholds

in the 13th century. And, by the 14th century, the last remnants of the original brotherhood

were swept away.

So, while assassination techniques may have been passed down since then, like in Renaissance

Italy or Colonial America, the actual Order of Assassin's was long gone.

Now, the antagonist of the series, the Knights Templar, is another real organization that's

been the source of many conspiracy theories for centuries.

Founded as a Monastic order shortly after the first crusade, they were tasked with the

protection of Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. Initially an impoverished order, the

Knights grew in terms of wealth and power due to the Pope's favor.

Between military victories against Muslims and using their assets to set up a banking

system for pilgrims, the Knights Templar became one of the most powerful organizations in

the world. However, the crusades dragged on, and Muslims eventually regained much of the

Holy Land. The Knights lost their Citadels and the people's favor, and were accused of

heresy by the King of France just so he could skip out on his debts with them.

By 1312, the church officially disbanded the organization. And while several groups have claimed

the be the philosophical heirs to the Knights Templar, such as the Freemasons, there's no

direct link of any kind.

So, tales of eternal struggle between the Assassins and Knights, past the crusades,

are pretty much unfounded.

Another intriguing topic is how the Assassin's carried out their deadly deeds. In what ways

are the game's weapons and tactics realistic?

The original Assassins carried out attacks with a knife, or other blade, as their main

weapon. But, unfortunately, the retractable, hidden blades in the game didn't really exist.

In addition, Assassin's didn't normally use poison, bows, or arrows. These were thought

to be sloppy, and increased the target's chance of survival.

But, alongside the blade, Assassin's also used intimidation to achieve their objectives.

The famous Sultan Saladin, who was referenced in the first game, woke from his sleep one

night to find a dagger and a note on his pillow saying that he would be killed if he attacked

the Assassin stronghold of Masyaf. Soon after, he brokered a truce with the Assassins.

Another tactic worth noting is the aversion of collateral damage to innocent bystanders-

a feature present in the game. But, in order to assert their fearlessness, Assassin's did

sometimes carry out their killings in public, which players also find themselves doing in

the games. This devotion to their mission was a famous trait of the order.

Up-coming downloadable content for Assassin's Creed 3, which takes place during the American

Revolution, will include a storyline where George Washington becomes a tyrant and King

of the United States after successfully defeating the British. It's an interesting bit of alternate

history, but the question remains: If he wanted to, could George Washington have become King

of America?

Well, there were at least two points in history where such a result could have realistically

taken place. The first was at the very end of the revolution when several officers in

the Continental Army, angry at not being paid by congress, were looking for a strong, single

figure to take complete control of the new country. Washington easily could have filled

this role.

If successful in convincing the enlisted men, the next steps would have involved marching

on Philadelphia, dissolving the congress, and convincing the state governments to acquiesce

to his stabilizing, central leadership- via a second war, if necessary. Instead, Washington

quelled the discontent with a speech to his men urging the primacy of republicanism, and

resigned his position as Commander in Chief later that year.

However, another chance at near-unlimited power was given to Washington when he was

elected the first President is 1789. During Washington's administration, he set many standards

for the office still in place today, including its limitations.

His arm suppression of farmers during the Whisky Rebellion was met with popular approval,

and it's not out of line to think he could have extended his executive powers with the

people's support, bypassing them in congress if necessary.

He also refused to run for a third term, a custom kept by every President until FDR in

1940. However, he could have easily stayed in office until he died, setting the dangerous

precedent of the imperial Presidency.

Even in modern times, the American people have shown a tendency to reelect politicians

in perpetuity. The senate, alone, has had several long-term office holders only give

up their seats in death.

It's not hard to imagine US President's also being reelected for decades, all following

Washington's potential example.

So, generally, the historical context of Assassin's Creed is both real, and accurate. Even its

alternate timelines are not too far afield. By blending myth and fact, the games are able

to stimulate interest in history spanning a thousand years...and hidden blades... Lot's

of interest in hidden wrist blades.

And, as always, thanks for watching.