Brass

Brass head of an Oba

Brass is a metal alloy made of copper and zinc. It has been used by humans in the construction of weapons, tools and engineering components.

History

Ptolemaic Egypt

By the 1st century BCE, brass was already used in making tools. Medjay Bayek of Siwa owned a heavy staff that he used for combat, though its original purpose was ceremonial.

Middle Ages

The Royal Cript of Saint-Denis once housed the body of all but three of the kings of France. Louis IX of France was buried in a lavish brass-decorated tomb. During the French Wars of Religion from 1562-1598, however, his tomb was melted for its brass.

Italian Assassins made brass using two parts copper and one part zinc. They would then fashion jewelry out of the brass to make fancy gifts for allies.

Golden Age of Piracy

Welsh pirate and Master Assassin Edward Kenway would collect several furniture and art pieces during his time at the Caribbean, including items using brass, such as an armoire, a commode and the head of an Oba, a large sculpture representing the head of a Nigerian king.

Colonial India

Around 1841 many weapons used in India featured brass, such as Chakrams and Talwars, who used it for different purposes. Use of brass was limited to the hilt of the sword, while for Chakrams it was used for the entire weapon or for its engravings.

Victorian England

Evie inserting a disk at the top of the Monument

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, built between 1671 and 1677, houses a brass orb atop it. This orb was altered between construction and Victorian times. In 1868, the Assassin Evie Frye ascended the Monument, following a trail of clues left behind by Edward Kenway. Upon inserting a disk at the very top, an image was revealed that led Evie to conclude Edward had hidden something at St. Paul's Cathedral.

During this time, the Assassins made ample use of brass knuckles, a melee weapon shaped to fit over the user's knuckles. Though despite their name, materials other than brass could be used.

Cultural significance

In addition to its wide use, brass has also influenced other matters. In English language, it has led to expressions like 'bold as brass', to denote a person or act that is very bold or impudent, and top-brass to refer to high ranking officials or company members.

Gallery

Bayek's Ceremonial Staff

Brass decorated cabinet

Brass decorated commode

Brass Chakram

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Unity (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Mirage (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR (mentioned in Database entry only)