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Martin Hyde was born in AD 977 in Wessex, England. He was installed thegn under King Aethelred the Unready, having built large holdings in western and southern England, much of which he used for hunting game. Whilst traveling in his lands in 1014, he encountered Danish raiders under the ultimate command of King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark, and was killed, eventually reviving as an Immortal. The raiders were led by Kanwulf, also an Immortal, who became Hyde's teacher.
Early Career[]
After leaving his teacher, Hyde became a headhunter, seeking out older, mature Immortals and taking their heads. One cunning way to accomplish this would involve fear -- using the younger Immortals, usually students of his targets, to lead them to their teachers, then Hyde would then take their heads -- and their powerful Quickenings.
In 1630, Hyde visited Scotland, and encountered Duncan MacLeod. Hyde tried to force Duncan into telling him where his teacher, Connor MacLeod was, so that he could take his head. Duncan decided to fight Hyde, but wasn't skilled enough then. Hyde refused to take Duncan's head and rode off, taunting him; he didn't take heads from younger Immortals, preferring to benefit from stronger Quickenings; waiting until the younger Immortals were older and more seasoned.
Around 1655, Hyde pursued fellow Immortal, Timon of Greece, across Europe, seeking his head. Timon fled into the Monastery of St. Christopher's in order to take refuge on Holy Ground, a place founded by fellow Immortal, Brother Paul.
In 1700, in Paris, Hyde visited a church and again encountered Duncan MacLeod. Hyde was there hunting the Immortal, Pierre Segur, another teacher of Duncan's. Pierre decided to face Hyde, and gave Duncan a bottle of cognac for the both to drink, telling Duncan to wait for him in an hour at the bridge. Duncan waited for an hour, but it was clear whenb Pierre failed to appear that Hyde had defeated him.
Final Days[]
In 1994, Hyde was finally ready to hunt Duncan MacLeod. Seeking to bring MacLeod out into the open, Hyde caused a great deal of trouble for Richie Ryan in South America, sending Richie on the run. Hyde then followed Richie to Spain, framing Richie for the murder of a friend. Hyde pursued Richie to Marseilles, France, where, when outside the city, Richie pulled over for gas, he became aware that an Immortal was following him.
Hyde committed another murder, again framing Richie, who then fled to Paris seeking MacLeod, not realizing that he was being used to lead him to his teacher.
Hyde called the police, and Richie was arrested. Duncan found a way to clear Richie of the murder charge by meeting Hyde on a rooftop. When Hyde then drew his sword in the presence of the waiting police, and was shot dead. Richie was free to go, once the murders could be tied to Hyde.
Hyde later revived in the morgue, took his sword, killed the attendant, and left. MacLeod knew that he would come for him. Taking the same bottle of cognac that Pierre Segur gave him in 1700, Duncan told Richie to wait for him. MacLeod departed, and challenged Hyde. Hyde put up a good fight, but was ultimately defeated and beheaded.
Fighting Style[]
Hyde's style was very aggressive, emphasizing offensive attacks. This seemed to work very well over the years, for it didn't give any ground for the opponents, who in the end were worn down to defeat. It seemed that MacLeod figured that out, and willingly underplayed his skills, making Hyde come at him exposed.
Weapons[]
In 1630, Hyde wielded a two-handed sword, a Garcia de Paredes Mandoble. By 1993, he had switched to a one-handed sword, made by Tomás de Ayala around 1600. This was a rare, special blade, Ayala forged only six of them in total.
Personality[]
Hyde was a man who enjoyed hunting and often would cite his love of the chase when challenging an opponent. He did so prior to his fights with both MacLeod and Segur, and no doubt countless others over the years, and especially loved killing "seasoned Immortals."
He had an active hunting club, and his home was decorated with many animal heads, featuring African, European, and American species.
His overall persona was cold, calculating, and of a man who loved the chase and assessing his opponents.
Trivia[]
- Actor Michael Siberry would also appear in Highlander: The Raven, where he portrayed Frank Brennan.