Yolande of Aragon

Yolande of Aragon (1384 – 1442) was a throne claimant and titular queen regnant of Aragon. Yolande played a crucial role in the struggles between France and England, influencing events such as the financing of Jeanne d'Arc's army in 1429 that helped tip the balance in favor of the French.
Secretly, Yolande was also the Mentor of the French Brotherhood of Assassins, using her influence over her dull son-in-law, the future King Charles VII of France, to prevent the Templars controlling England to take back France after the purge of the Templars a century before. She was also the mother of René d'Anjou, also an Assassin.
==Biography==
===Looking for the Chosen One===
After she heard about a prophecy mentioning a young woman sent by God to save France, Yolande tasked her Assassins throughout France to keep an eye open for any signs of such an individual. Queen Yolande planned to use this chosen one and her potential to inspire hope against the Templars and their English puppets, whether the prophecy was true or not.
Eventually in February 1429, Jean de Metz, an Assassin serving as a squire to the captain Robert de Baudricourt, met Jeanne d'Arc, a young girl claiming that she was chosen by God. After witnessing the young maid's tremendous potential, the Assassin came to believe that she was indeed the girl of the prophecy. After contacting his Mentor who ordered him to bring the girl back to the royal court, Jean helped Jeanne to convince his lord that the strange girl was indeed special and not crazy, so he would allow her to meet with the Dauphin Charles, heir to the crown of France.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 7
Once there, Jeanne told the Prince that she had a message from God which was for him alone, and they went to his private chambers, away from his court. Thanks to a hidden passageway, Yolande followed them and used her Assassin's skills to climb on the rafters above the room and to listen them while hidden in the shadows. However, she was seen by Jeanne and Gabriel Laxart, Jeanne's cousin and closest confident, who through their latent Eagle Vision saw her as a glowing hooded figure whom they superstitiously mistook for an Angel of the Lord. Witnessing the potential of Jeanne and thus convinced that she was the one that she was looking for, Yolande seized the opportunity to manipulate Charles, who wasn't able to see the "Angel". Yolande whispered; "This is the sign. The Maid will make you King." and still unseen, retreated from the room.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 9
===Backing Jeanne d'Arc===
On 7 March, Convinced that Jeanne was truly an envoy of God, who would help him be crowned at the English-held Reims, like all the French Kings before him, Charles decided to trust Jeanne and to give her the command of his armies. During a brief training session with de Metz, Gabriel let it slip that he too could see things, like Jeanne. After the young man refused to tell him more about his and Jeanne's abilities, to respect the promise he made to Jeanne, de Metz knocked him out and brought him to Yolande.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 10
When a blindfolded Gabriel regained consciousness and gave the Assassins a verbal lashing, they informed him of their purpose and mission. They gave him a brief overview of the Assassin-Templar War and that the Templars were currently supporting the English in the Hundred Years' War. Meaning no harm to Jeanne, whom the boy wished to protect, Yolande offered to teach the boy so that he may be of more use. The boy then accepted their offer to join, but warned the two he would kill them if they threatened Jeanne. Before Gabriel's blindfold was removed Yolande left.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 11
On 22 March, Yolande traveled to the residence of Jean Rabateau and his wife in Poitiers, where Jeanne's entourage were staying. While there, Yolande noticed Gabriel's recognition of her. Due to this, Yolande granted him a meeting. Not with Queen Yolande of Aragon however, but with Yolande the Assassin Mentor.
==Legacy==
According to Simon Hathaway, by 2016, Queen Yolande is the only Monarch who was also an Assassin and a Mentor that Abstergo had any knowledge about.
==Personality and characteristics==
By 1429, Queen Yolande was described as being tall, lithe, and well formed. Despite visible aging, her face was still considered beautiful, with her gray-green eyes and her high, plucked-brow forehead.
===Equipment and skills===
When meeting Jeanne for the first time, the queen wore a wine-colored houppelande and a horned headdress which concealed most of her hair.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 16 Her Assassin attire consisted of the standard; breeches, a tunic, a belt, boots, and the hood. Her dark blonde hair with threads of silver, was neatly braided.
As queen, Yolande radiated an aura of grace and etiquette. However she moved smoothly but with hidden strength and speed to act on at any moment. Extremely dexterous, Yolande was able to strongly and safely freerun through attic rafters without making a sound.Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 17
==Behind the scenes==
Yolande is a French name meaning "violet flower" and "strong". It is the French variant of "Viola".
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Heresy
==References==
Category:1384 births
Category:1442 deaths
Category:Individuals
Category:Spaniards
Category:French people
Category:Monarchs of Spain
Category:Monarchs of Naples
Category:Assassins
Category:French Assassins
Category:Mentors
Category:House of Valois