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Bartholomew was an Immortal born in 732 in Wessex, England. He grew up with a religious background, but was the type of person who would line his own pockets through other people's misfortunes.
He served as the king's tax collector in AD 777 - based on the date, the King was Cynewulf of Wessex. Bartholomew embezzled from the king's taxes and was hanged for it. He revived as an Immortal and eventually met his teacher, Bertric, who instructed him on the rules of Immortality.
Years later, he made himself rich by means of skimming taxes as the King's minister and tax collector.
In 1270
In a poor village, he ordered the villagers pay an excessive tithe. A villager, Katherine, who was also Immortal, claimed that Bartholomew was excessively taxing the villagers just to line his pockets. Bartholomew claimed it was God's will that the villagers be taxed. Bartholomew told the villagers that if they fought in the Crusades, they would have their sins cleansed by God. Later, Katherine confronted Bartholomew and challenged him, only to be shot in the back by one of his guards. Bartholomew decided to punish her by killing everyone in the village and burning it to the ground. Katherine revived to find the village burned and everyone dead, including Katherine's friend, the healer, Berta Symes. Katherine swore vengeance against Bartholomew and went on to hunt him for the next seven centuries.
Bartholomew was still making money off the misfortunes of other people in 1998, he was CEO of a charity organization called "Mission for Children" in Paris, France. It was a front organization to embezzle donations. Katherine tracked him down, and in the parking structure, Bartholomew met her and she challenged him, but he had two of his henchmen waiting with guns. Katherine was saved by her husband, Nick Sutherland.
Bartholomew was being investigated by the police for stealing money from his organization. At his home, Bartholomew revealed he had 30 million dollars in diamonds on reserve. He sensed the presence of another Immortal, Katherine. They both faced off with their swords. Katherine defeated Bartholomew, took his head, and received his Quickening.
Note: When Nick Sutherland was shot by Bartholomew's assistant and got back up (he was wearing a Kevlar vest under his jacket), Bartholomew's assistant stated 'You're Immortal'. This appears to imply that at least some of Bartholomew's assistants were aware of his Immortality.
Weapon[]
Bartholomew uses a 13th Century one-handed broadsword, often pairing it with a dagger, an axe or, interestingly enough, a shield, making him the only Immortal in the series to use one. Despite hiding behind his assistants against Katherine and Nick, when Bartholomew chose to fight Katherine, he seemed to be skilled with his sword.