Charles Lee

"He is the promise of a better future."

- Haytham Kenway to Connor regarding Charles Lee

Charles Lee (1732 – 1782) was a member of the Templar Order and a British soldier, who later became the Grand Master of the Templars from 1781 until his death in 1782, and served as a General of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

He served in the British Army during the, after which he sold his commission, and served for a time in the Polish army of.

Meeting Haytham Kenway
In 1754, Lee met with Haytham Kenway in Boston to aid in the search for the Temple of the First Civilization. Lee helped Haytham recruit those on his list to his Order, and helped assassinate Silas Thatcher and Edward Braddock. Afterwards, Lee was inducted into the Templar Order.

Meeting Ratonhnhake:ton
Years later, Lee and his fellow Templars (with the exception of Haytham) sought to meet with the elders of the local Kanien'keha:ka tribe. Lee encountered a young boy in the forest and forcibly demanded the location of his village. Instead of answering, the boy merely asked for Lee's name, so he could hunt him down later. Amused, Lee said that he would look forward to it and left after knocking him out. Lee would only find out years later that the boy was Ratonhnhake:ton, the son of his master, Haytham Kenway.

Boston Massacre
Lee and Kenway planned a plight to enslave America in their goal to rule over the world as to maintain peace with the help of the British. Their first step was to trick the colonists to turn against the British. In the first phase, Haytham and Lee instigate the Boston Massacre, causing the colonists to completely cut off ties from the King.

George Washington
The next step in the plan was for Lee to be made the Commander-in-Chief, so he can lead the Continental Army against the Redcoats. Unfortunately, George Washington was instead selected into the position. Lee watched with contempt as Washington made a speech about his honor to be made Commander. It was also at this moment he re-encounters Ratonhnhake:ton (also now known as Connor), but does not recognize him.

Changing plans, Lee and the Templars instead plan an assassination on Washington, so Lee can be his replacement. However, Connor discovers the plans from John Pitcairn's body and attempts to interrogate Thomas Hickey on the matter, but several guards spot this and take both to Bridewell Prison.

Meeting with Hickey in the prison, Lee commands him to remain in the prison due to investigations going into his involvement in the possible assassination of George Washington. Moving him into the VIP area, Connor escapes his cell and attempts to murder Hickey, only to find instead the prison warden's body. Lee and Hickey then appear and Lee holds the native against the door of the cell. Recognizing the situation and Connor, Lee becomes amused by the fact that Connor had indeed found him before knocking him out.

The next day, Connor is taken to be executed, and Lee presiding to announce his crimes against Washington and the colonies. However, Connor is saved by Achilles Davenport and kills Hickey before he can kill Washington. Lee presumably escaped during the confusion.

American Revolution
The Revolution sparked, Lee participated in leading the colonists to battle, but sometimes gave false information in order to discredit Washington and weaken the armies.

Connor reported these findings to Washington, who much to the former's frustration, did not order Lee's death. Later, Lee went to Connor's Mohawk Tribe, tricking them into believing the British would protect them and push out the colonists.

Soon, Lee went to reside in Fort George in New York for his protection. But at the last minute, Haytham sends him away and is killed by Connor in an ensuing attack with help from French allies. Enraged, Lee finds Connor approaching him, weak and having shaved his head into a mohawk and marked his face with war paint. Lee ordered Connor to be allowed to live so he can watch Lee destroy everything he loved, but Connor escapes and goes to seek out Lee.

Tracking him to Boston, Connor chased Lee into a ferry under construction being set on fire. However, the project collapsed on both of them, with Connor being more injured than Lee. Lee approached the wounded Assassin, asking why he would continue to persist when the Templars would rise again and again. In a moment of opportunity, Connor shouts, "Because no one else will" and shot Lee in the stomach, critically wounding him and forcing him to retreat.

Death
Connor tracked Lee to Monmouth, where he was found drinking in a bar, still injured and bleeding from his gunshot wound. The two then silently drank together before Connor stabbed Lee in the chest, killing him. Afterwards, Connor ripped off the Amulet of the First Civilization from his neck.

Legacy
Charles in his efforts to join the Order was very helpful in providing information about the British Military to the other co-conspirators. Later, after being inducted, he was very influential in the future work of the Connor Kenway. Lee's violent actions toward him during his youth led him to believe that Lee was responsible both for the death of his mother and the destruction of his village. This became the stimulus for Connor to continue his efforts and eventually destroy the Templar influence in the new nation as well as increase the Brotherhood's strength. In the efforts of the Revolutionary War, his work as one of the officers led to a defeat at the Battle of Monmouth, as well as other set-backs to the Continental Army. In a long-run, he is responsible for the destruction of Fort George, as well as Haytham's death that ultimately destroyed the Order. Centuries later, his possession of the First Civilization Key somewhat assisted Desmond Miles in opening the Grand Temple's inner door.

Trivia

 * The initial render of Charles Lee prior to the game's release showed an older-looking character.
 * Charles Lee was the first major assassination target to die without any last words, neither in the memory corridor, nor at the moment of his death.
 * During the infiltration on Southgate Fort, Charles Lee was displayed with an Assassin's Insignia above his head, despite being a Templar, similar to the other co-conspirators.

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed III