A painting of Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus (28 October 1466 – 12 July 1536) was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and theologian. Secretly, Erasmus was the leader of the Northern European branch of the Assassin Brotherhood.[1]
In the early 16th century, Erasmus was captured by Templars working for the Borgia while teaching in Paris. To his fortune, he was saved by Italian Assassins sent from Rome by Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and Erasmus informed them of another member of the Brotherhood being held captive in the city.[2][3]
Circa 1511, Erasmus sent a message to the acting leader of the Italian Assassins, Claudia Auditore da Firenze, who had been given command during her brother's journey to Masyaf. In the message, Erasmus warned the Italian Assassins of Martin Luther's revolutionary religious thinking, which he thought needed watching.[1]