Outlander: The Duke of Sandringham – A Jacobite? Part 3

This is my last topic concerning the Duke of Sandringham being a Jacobite. Here are the links for the first two parts of this topic.The Duke of Sandringham – A Jacobite? Part 1Duke of Sandringham – A Jacobite? Part 2

This topic was originally a long post. It was suggested for this topic to be broken into three parts to make it easier for readers.

However, my last Outlander update and the last one for this year is about Geillis Duncan and her association with Reverend Campbell.

Geillis Duncan and her Association with Reverend Campbell

For this particular topic, I will concentrate on Black Jack, the Royal pardon and some information concerning the Duke.

Did the Duke send Black Jack to punish Fergus?

I think that the encounter between Black Jack and Fergus was just a coincidence. When Black Jack took note of Fergus at the brothel, he was drunk, and most likely unable to follow any sort of orders.

“Punishment,” he said softly. “But you know that, don’t you? Or at least your husband does.” (Gabaldon, “Dragonfly” 827)

 

In the conversation between the Duke and Claire, the reader gets confirmation that Black Jack is a natural pervert, and nobody is paying him to do his depraved acts. It is not money or blackmailing that allows Black Jack to perform his depravations, but the Duke’s protection.

“While for the good Captain – well, the army takes a very dim view of such unnatural predilections. The penalty is often death, in fact.” (Gabaldon, “Dragonfly” 827)

 

Since the Duke was aware that his letter was decoded, it seems that he knew what was Fergus’ role on this. Furthermore, Fergus accompanied Jamie and Claire on the trip to the Royal stable of King Louise. The Duke wanted Jamie to select some horses for him. He probably took note of Fergus, but I doubt he sent Black Jack after him. Of course, if severe damage was inflicted on Fergus by Black Jack, justice for this would have never been accomplished due to the Duke’s protection.

“He has linkages to several powerful interests among the French banking families, and more among the merchants. He is also received at Court, and has some access to Louis’s ear. In short, if he does not at present hold the power to command substantial sums of money and influence, he is likely to do so soon.  He is also a member of not one but two of the more powerful Highland clans. And the parties who wish the personage in question to return to Rome harbor a not unreasonable fear that this influence might be exerted in undesirable directions. So much better if your husband were to return – his good name restored – to his lands in Scotland, do you not think?” (Gabaldon, “Dragonfly” 411)

This statement is very confusing. It could be that the Duke was not a Jacobite or he simply did not want Jamie to interfere with Charles’ business investments and military plans by sending him away.

There is evidence that seems to support that. However, the Duke’s reply to this question is ambiguous.

“So you’re a Jacobite, are you? “ I asked

“Not necessarily,” the Duke answered genially. (Gabaldon, “Dragonfly” 830)

Did he care for the Scottish Highlanders and the Jacobite cause at all? I think the Duke’s opinion of Albert Danton, the man who attacked Claire in Paris, can give the readers a clue.

“My Valet,” said the Duke calmly. “Albert Danton, by name. A good fellow with neckcloths and stockings, but a trifle excitable, as so many of these Frenchmen are. Incredibly superstitious, too.” He frowned disapprovingly at the closed door. “Bloody papists, with all these saints and smells and such. Believe anything at all.” (Gabaldon, “Dragonfly” 825)

The text I bolded in the quotation above may explain where his interests lied. Most Scottish Highlanders were Roman Catholic back in the day. One of the main aims of Jacobitism was to restore a Roman Catholic Stuart King to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland. This does not mean that the Jacobites were all Roman Catholic; Protestants were also among the Jacobites. Basically Jacobitism was more of a political move than a religious one. Based on the Duke’s comments, it seems that he was not fond of Catholics.

It seems the Duke was playing a game in which he could gain something or lose nothing. If House Stuart were to take control of the throne, he would have gained a lot. If House Stuart were to fail in taking the throne, he would loose money but nobody would know he was supporting the cause. Was he willing to loose money for the Jacobite cause? Was that his money or was it Arthur Duncan’s? Publicly he would not loose anything. Was he a war instigator or a double agent? He probably sent Black Jack to attack both Jamie and Jenny to incite war since they have ties to two powerful clans. He could have been a Jacobite supporter but with a different political agenda. Frank Randall was probably right about him:

“But it seems from this that Jonathan Randall was entrusted with the job of stirring up Jacobite sentiments, if any existed, among the prominent Scottish families in the area. The point being to smoke out any baronets and clan chieftains who might be harboring secret sympathies in that direction. But that’s odd. Wasn’t Sandringham a suspected Jacobite himself?” Frank turned to the vicar, a frown of inquiry on his face. The vicar’s smooth, bald head creased in an identical frown. (Gabaldon, “Outlander” 25).

After posting several Outlander posts with dark characters, here is a funny image concerning the Outlander TV show by Denise Sevier Fries.

Excerpts from

Gabaldon, Diana. Outlander. New York: Bantam Books, 1991. Print.

Gabaldon, Diana. Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.

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