I've read this about assasins in medieval europe, I recommend it, very interesting stuff!: https://www.reddit.com/comments/1x3l6e/_/
This was one maine point: " Most assassinations in the historical record were not performed by someone you would describe as a "professional." "
I'm curios why, i've read some fantasy novels,watched movies and to me it seems assasination is quite possible. A trained archer can hit a target from far away, why not just "snipe" the king while he's on a walk? Why not a lone assasin acting like a serial killer, nothing the schedule of the king and planting a dagger in him at a good opportunity ?
Having so few assasinations ( mostly done by poisoners and amateur ) would make it a great oportunity for a newcommer, ready to exploit the enemys relaxed state...yet if the posters are to be believe it didn't happen...
Why ? Thoughts?
It works in the games because the games make it work. It would have had a lot of problems in actuality.
Kings don't wander around by themselves in public. They are normally surrounded by a retinue of lords and ladies and servants. So you have to get through the crowd then out again, because being killed on your first assassination makes you just another one-shot amateur. Remember, in the period you're talking about all the noblemen are armed, and the farther back you go the more of them are battle veterans. They don't go eep and jump away from a dagger.
Also, where the king is walking is likely to be a private garden or courtyard, and you have to get there through guarded gates.
For all that, Henri IV was stabbed to death when his carriage was halted in a procession. The assassin was captured, of course. The king's companion was wounded trying to defend him. Henri had already survived at least two other attempts on his life, the last 16 years earlier..
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