Hugh Robinson

Hugh Robinson was an English performer, known as the "African Hercules," for the Aurora Equestrian Troupe. After the troupe disbanded, he and his wife, Nell Robinson, opened up a costume and fancy dress store, Robinson & Co: Purveyors of Theatrical Apparatus, Costumes, & Stage Properties.
==Biography==
===Troupe days===
Very little is known about Hugh Robinson's past, except he was born in Manchester, England and, at some point, he joined the Aurora Equestrian Troupe. He later met and married Nell Robinson, who was part of the behind-the-scenes crew of the troupe.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 1
In 1851, the troupe opened up at the Crystal Palace at the Great Exhibition, where Hugh opened up the show as the "African Hercules." For his act, he rode on two horses around the ring, presenting as himself as the strongman. After two years in London, Hugh and his troupe traveled to multiple cities in Europe and rose to the occasion. Hugh and Ariel Fine even composed a new act of comedy mixed with knife-throwing, which proved successful. He and his circus family eventually found a temporary base in Vienna.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 9
In 1854, Hugh and the acrobat, Pierrette Arnaud, discussed about adapting their routines while in Prague. He agreed to teach her knife-throwing as he introduced his new skill as a experienced gunslinger by shooting to put out candles with a shot. Traveling once more, their performances were successful until he and the troupe witnessed both their leader, Major Wallin, and his daughter Tillie Wallin fall ill to typhoid. In 1855, while in Frankfurt, as the Wallin's recuperated, Hugh, Ariel, Jovita Ferreira, Nell, and Pierrette discussed their future for the troupe. After Arnaud's idea for Birmingham, Hugh and the rest of the troupe agreed, more or less.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 11
===Life in London and fighting the Magus===
After many years, the troupe dissolved as Hugh suffered a back injury that took him out of the circus. With Nell, he found himself as an owner to a costume store. Both he and Nell invited Tillie for dinner every Sunday after their troupe days ended.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 20 In 1861, Hugh and Nell received both Pierrette and Tillie at their stope, despite Arnaud being out of contact for four years. However, Hugh, Nell, and Tillie heard Pierrette's apology for leaving them for Ada Lovelace as they all forgave her and promised to help in her mission. As they equipped Pierrette, he gave a pendant necklace filled with clubmoss powder. He explained that when blown near a spark, she could breathe out fire.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 22
In 1862, Hugh, along with Tillie and Ariel, came to help Pierrette and her mentor, Simeon Price, find and defeat the Magus, Oscar Kane, besides an alley near Bath Abbey. Trying to find Kane, Hugh and Price found a coal bunker within the alley and lifted its lid. Yet, he stayed with Arnaud as Simeon ventured alone into the bunker. However, once Kane and Price began to fight, everyone in the alley had found a fight of their own. Soon, both fights intertwined as Hugh was in a shootout with one of Kane's henchmen. However, as Kane's numbers dwindled, Hugh, Ariel, and all of Arnaud's and Price's allies cornered Kane, who held Pierrette hostage on a walkway.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy – Chapter 27
With Ariel, he and Fine swung a lasso around Kane's shoulders. Yet, one of Kane's henchman lived and knocked down both Hugh and Ariel as Kane tried to free himself. Fortunately, their plan worked as Arnaud pulled Kane down over the walkway. With the walkway unstable, the bunker became unstable as all of them, besides Price, began to escape the collapsing room. After Price killed Kane, Hugh and his troupe stayed in Bath for a couple of days afterwards to recuperate before going back home.
===Later life===
By 1870, Hugh and Nell maintained their business and remained in communication with their fellow troupe members, even Pierrette, who returned to London after the battle with Kane. However, after Tillie's fatal accident, her child Spider became an orphan.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot – Chapter 13 Along with Ariel, the Robinson's helped raise Spider, taught him how to work, and maintained his education.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot – Chapter 22 However, despite all of their best efforts, Spider soon became too rebellious and went to live with Pierrette and her old friend Anne Blunt.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot – Chapter 27 However, at fourteen years old, he ran away.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot – Chapter 28
In 1889, Hugh and his wife paid their respects to Ariel Fine, who recently died at the age of sixty-eight. Along Pierrette, they came to give their condolences to Jim, Fine's lover. Fortunately, Spider also came to pay his respects to his late guardian and was noticed by Arnaud, who ran to hug him.Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot – Chapter 30
==Personality and skills==
Hugh Robinson was an African Englishman, who developed many talents, such as knife-throwing and good marksmanship, and worked as a strongman during his circus days.
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy
*Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Resurrection Plot
==References==
Category:Individuals
Category:English people
Category:Athletes
Category:Marksmen
Category:Businesspeople
Category:Aurora Equestrian Troupe