This post is just a summary of the political situation according to Jamie’s and Claire’s perspectives. This post will deal mostly with chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9. I have also included details about two characters who play in a way a political role, the Comte St. Germain and Silas Hawkins.
The Political Situation at Louis’s Court
According to Jamie’s uncle, Alexander, Abbot of Ste. Anne’s, the exiled King of Scotland, James, is still interested in claiming the throne.
. . . – the exiled James of Scotland had worked tirelessly, writing ceaselessly to his fellow monarchs, and particularly to his cousin, Louis of France, reiterating the legitimacy of his claim to the throne of Scotland and England, and the position of his son, Prince Charles, as heir to that throne (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 6).
Abbot Alexander further reveals that Louis is not interested in helping his cousin in his claim. Jamie’s uncle constantly communicates with King James in letters. Is King James actually interested in regaining the throne? Or is this a fabrication of a fervent Jacobite, Abbot Alexander, to see his King restored?
Claire reveals in her musings that the rising was financed by France (ch. 6), even though Louis is shown most of the time showing no interest in supporting the Stuarts. Of course he eventually does help the Jacobite cause. Here are some of the reasons why he does not help his cousin immediately during the Rising (the funds eventually arrive to Scotland but late).
- France does not have much money. Jared mentions that many merchants, especially foreigners left France, when the taxes were raised. This affected the Royal Treasury (Dragonfly in Amber, ch.7).
- Prince Charles also has an affair with Louise de La Tour de Rohan. According to Jared, her husband’s family is close to the king (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 7). What is not specified is the level of closeness. Are they related by blood? Or are they just close friends?
Jamie also brings the point that it seems that King Louis will not make the second rebellion happen. It will be the French banking families, the Vatican and the Spanish Court (Dragonfly in Amber, ch. 7)
The Comte St. Germain
Since my first read of book 2, I have always found the Comte St. Germain enigmatic. Different sources describe him as sinister. Are these sources reliable? The reader is eventually introduced to Master Raymond, and he is a reliable and trustful source. This is what the reader mainly learns in regards to the Comte.
- He is a noble
- He is ruthless and used to getting his own way
- He threatens Claire for her role in the destruction of his cargo
- He is Jared’s business rival
- He celebrates the black mass (at least according to one of the housemaids)
- He comes to dine at Jared’s place
- Women like him so it seems he has a certain charm, and it is not related to him being wealthy. Fergus’s mother liked / loved him.
Silas Hawkins
- He is a businessman and belongs to a noble family
- It is possible he is a Jacobite supporter. His inquiries about the Highland’s sentiments towards the Stuarts are revealing.
- He mentions about the arrangement of a marriage between his niece, Mary Hawkins, with a much older French noble. Obviously he is looking for ways to take advantage of everything.
- Claire reveals that she was supposed to eventually marry Black Jack.
Sources
Gabaldon, Diana. Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.