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The Bastille was a fortress, and later a prison, in Paris, France. It was stormed by a crowd on 14 July 1789, becoming an important symbol for the French Revolution, and was later demolished and replaced by the Place de la Bastille.
History[]
Construction[]
One of King Charles V's many construction projects, the Bastille was built during the Hundred Years' War to protect the Porte Saint-Antoine gate and its adjoining Saint-Pol palace.[1] Initial work on the fortress began in 1357 and continued from 1370 on. Although it had been constructed to protect Paris against the English, it was utilized in internal conflicts as well.[2]
Transformation into a prison[]
Gradually, the Bastille became less useful as a fortification, its purpose shifting towards that of a prison. It fully embodied this function under the reign of Louis XIII, though the detainees rarely numbered more than 40 each year.[1] Louis XIV, also known as the "Sun King", used the fortress to imprison undesirable and inconvenient aristocrats.[2]
Under Louis XV and Louis XVI, the prison became more oriented towards equality when it came to the housing of its inmates. Living conditions were reasonably good, especially compared to other prisons of the time. Meals were wholesome, and the Bastille provided medical care for the inmates, including the mentally ill.[2]
Still, where commoners would have to do with bare walls and floors, wealthy prisoners were able to bring in luxuries if they so desired. The Marquis de Sade, one of the prison's most famous inmates, had tapestries, perfumes, paintings, a full wardrobe and over a hundred books delivered to his cell. Due to his habit of inciting the crowds during his walks, and, later, from the confines of his cell, de Sade was later transferred to another prison.[2]
Storming of the Bastille[]
- Main article: Storming of the Bastille
Popular opinion began to turn against the Bastille during the 18th century, with stories and autobiographies from former inmates condemning it. François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, would refer to the prison as "a palace of revenge". By 1789, it had been deemed useless, as well as costly to maintain, given the 250 soldiers it boasted to oversee a mere nine prisoners.[1]
In May of 1789, the Assassin Pierre Bellec met and started training Arno Dorian, after the latter had been accused of murdering François de la Serre and imprisoned. Two months later, the two escaped while the prison was under siege by revolutionaries.[1]
Arno later infiltrated the Bastille, to recover the famous rope-ladder used by an escapee, Jean Henri Latude.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Despite the fact that the Bastille had historically been demolished by 1790, the landmark remained largely intact and could be visited for the remainder of Assassin's Creed: Unity.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Project Widow (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed Unity: Abstergo Entertainment – Employee Handbook
- Assassin's Creed: Unity
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion (indirect mention only) (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)