Matthew Hopkins

Matthew Hopkins
Japanese name:	マシュー・ホプキンス
Appearances
Primary franchise:	Fate
Appears in:	Fate/Grand Order
Characteristics
Species:	Human

Matthew Hopkins^WP (マシュー・ホプキンス, Mashū Hopukinsu^?) is a figure appearing in Salem in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.

Profile

Background

Hopkins is a historical figure from the early 1600s. He was an English lawyer who took up the occupation of witch hunting, giving himself the self-appointed title of "Witchfinder General." Within three years of activity, there were three hundred people hanged as witches in England by his hand. It is believed he died before reaching old age, long before the Salem Witch Trials, but there are theories that he survived.

The Hopkins of the Salem Grand Order is not a Servant, but rather an out of place living human brought forth by the machinations of Raum. Charles-Henri Sanson believes he would be suited as an Anti-Hero, but it is not confirmed if he qualifies as a Heroic Spirit.

Personality

Hopkins is a deceptive man who makes it his life's work to hunt witches. He will use any and all means as his disposable to implicate these so-called witches.He also dislikes traveling performers, seeing them as swindlers who take advantage of the townspeople, even commiting arson or burglary at times. This attitude is hypocritical however because he did the same thing during his witch hunts.

Role

Fate/Grand Order

Subspecies Singularity IV: Salem

Hopkins is brought to Raum's recreation of 1692 Salem (well past the date of his death) through the Demon God's machinations. He is brought to the town itself by ship from Boston.

Ritsuka's party and Salem's residents while an angry mob is accusing Tituba of witchcraft because a charm of hers was found under the ailing Ann Putnam's bed. He introduces himself, saying he's been appointed Salem's head judge by order of the governor. He gives the Judge official documentation to confirm this. He then orders Tituba to be taken into custody for interrogation. Randolph Carter accompanies Hopkins and Tituba since he is her owner.

By Hopkin's order, Tituba is barred from any visitors, even Carter. Ritsuka, Robin Hood, and Carter later meet with him at the mansion he's staying at. Carter threatens legal action against him, claiming Tituba was taken unlawful. He also said he'd seek damages if Tituba's ability to work was impedied. Hopkins however ignored his threats. Ritsuka requests to see the charm to determine if black magic is involved. Hopkins denies them, saying he's limiting the curse's reach by preventing others from getting near or even touch the charm.

Ritsuka meets with him again later that day, this time accompanied by Mash, Medea and Charles-Henri Sanson. He denies their request to see the charm. He does agree with Sanson's request to examine the sick villagers though after he gave a demonstration of his medical knowledge. "Medea" then demands the key to Tituba's cell, so she can examine her. Hopkins refuses, and accuses the group of being a band of thieves disguised as travelling performers. He tells the group to put on a moving performance for the whole town to prove their innocence. He then has "Medea" locked in a cell next to Tituba's. He requests the troupe perform a play about Jeanne d'Arc being burned at the stake.

While the troupe are performing though, Hopkins has a confession tortured out of Tituba. With said confession, he has Tituba and other condemned hanged. Ritsuka's party confront him upon realizing Tituba was hanged while they were performing, but he dismisses their outrage. Hearing their performance was well-received, he permits them to continue performing. He also permits them to be jurors while they're in Salem. He explains people like them will help open the otherwise closed minds of Salem's residents, and lead them to the truth.

The next day, he and Carter go to the Whateley estate to arrest Absalom Whateley for supposedly summoning the ghouls that attacked last night. Sanson demands he give Absalom a fair trial, but the latter rejects it. He accuses him of trying to spread hysteria about witches in Salem, prompting one of Hopkin's constables to strike him. Hopkins then orders him to rebuild the gallows, which were destroyed in a storm last night, by himself. That evening, after Sanson finished rebuilding the gallows, Hopkins has Absalom and Noah Whateley hanged.

The next night, he directs the proceedings for Mata Hari's trial. Despite all of the troupe's efforts to defend her, Hopkins still sentences her to be hanged as a witch. He also orders Ritsuka to pay a total of 70 pounds for damages, trial fees, and the execution cost.

At the gallows, Sanson asks Hopkins for a stay of execution for Mata Hari, who was sentenced as a witch. Hopkins agrees since the executions aren't set to take place for a few hours, and tells Sanson to state his case. Sanson first reminds him there are many people who were dissatisfied with Mata Hari's sentence. He also explains the hysteria stemming from the recent ghoul attacks will make it harder to maintain order. Hopkins claims however the trials will continue without him, as Carter went to Boston to request a new judge, but Sanson suspects he's lying. After Mata Hari and two others are hanged, ghouls attack again. Hopkins however refuses to flee until he's satisfied that the executed are truly dead. Sanson stays to defends him, while the other escape with Mata Hari's corpse.

Next morning, Lavinia Whateley gives him the Book of Eibon, admitting to conducting a ritual from it with Abigail. Later, he thanks Sanson for protecting him from the ghouls. Sanson deduces he isn't like the other villagers, but the latter stops him from saying. Hopkins hints that he is aware that he doesn't belong in Salem. He then shows Sanson the book Lavina brought to him this morning, and tells him what she told him. Accompanied by his constables and Sanson, Hopkins confronts Abigail in the woods as she attempts to perform the Ritual of Descent. Sanson asks him to allow him to handle the situation, claiming the ritual is merely a child's poor way of playing house. Hopkins ignores him and tries to arrest Abigail under the accusation that she's a witch. He is killed by Lavinia however in revenge for killing her grandfather. His life is then offered up as a sacrifice for the Ritual.