All that was good, all that was fair, All that was me is gone.

Back One More TIME for TGF…doing good and have a reception to attend tonight, I could dig getting into this Art scene…Abstracts, Picasso, oil, acrylics, blue light specials—no wait that’s something else from by-gone days. Anyway up and going again so let’s do this one more time.

“Don’t be afraid. There’s the two of us now.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander tags: jamie-fraser

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I tripped him neatly and landed on his stomach with both knees as he hit the floor with a crash that shook the house.

“You mean to tell me that you married me out of love?” I demanded. He raised his eyebrows, struggling to draw in breath.

“Have I not…just been…saying so?”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

LAST OUTLANDER OF THE SEASON 9 ON SATURDAY 5/30

I’d hurt Black Jack but he just might like that.

OK so we’ve been doing Scotland with a few references to our show but today I tie it all together with the present situation of our characters included.

With the Death (murder) of RIchard II (1377-1399) and the crowning of Henry IV (1399-1413) we begin a period of English history that leads to the War of the Roses (1399-1485)with Lancasters Kings (Red Rose emblem) which included the afore mention Henry IV, who left his kingdom secure at the cost of his own mental and physical well being; as well as Henry V (1413-1422—last great warrior king and the man who led an outnumbered English force against the French at Agincourt and defeated them, but who died before he could accomplish much else; and Henry VI (1422-1461 and 1470-1471) who became king as a babe–less than a year old and managed to loose all the French properties won by his father and sank into madness in 1453, he lost his crown, his son and eventually his life.

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone,
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, ’til our Life shall be Done.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

The Stewarts: During this time the Stewarts (Richard II 1371-1390–his big claims to fame seems that he fathered over 21 children, legitimate and not and III who was crippled and whose name was actually John 1390 – 1406 –he was so inept at ruling that his 20 year old son was put in charge, but was arrested by the Duke of Albany who managed the low lands and left the prince to die in prison) while Albany set the throne of Scotland. Meanwhile the English caught the second son James and held him captive for 18 years while they tried to gain power over Albany . When Albany died in 1424 James I was allowed to return to Scotland to assume the throne. James II – James V (1437 – 1542). All of these King James inherited the throne as children with an average life span of 34 years (4 of them by violence–5 if you want to count Richard II).

“I had one last try.
“Does it bother you that I’m not a virgin?” He hesitated a moment before answering.
“Well, no,” he said slowly, “so long as it doesna bother you that I am.” He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door.
“Reckon one of us should know what they’re doing,” he said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

So we begin The War of the Roses with another Royal house coming to power the Yorks (White Rose emblem) first with Edward IV (1461 -1470 and 1471-1483. Tall handsome, charming and interested in the arts he was a popular king, but his preference in women would come back to haunt him, (in addition to his queen he seems to have an insatiable taste for the fairer sex and rich food) when he died of natural causes leaving his crown to his son who was still a child (Edward V) but his legitimacy was questioned (seem father Edward married his queen without getting legally released from an engagement which in those days were legally binding and had to be annulled) by his uncle Richard, Edwards brother–you know the one was recently found in a parking lot, who took the crown for himself (Richard II 1483 – 1485).

“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

ENTER THE TUDORS DYNASTY that people are still talking and talking and talking about. Henry VII (Lancester–1485-1509) who’s claim to the thrown was horribly threadbare wrestled the throne by force from the unpopular Richard III (who died in battle) and began to consolidate the nation. Henry married Elizabeth York, eldest daughter of Edward IV uniting the fractions and claiming another ify blood line. His son Alfred died young passing along his Spanish princess wife to his son Henry (whom we will speak more later) and his daughters Margaret (became Queen of Scotland) and Mary (Queen of France).

“And I mean to hear ye groan like that again. And to moan and sob, even though you dinna wish to, for ye canna help it. I mean to make you sigh as though your heart would break, and scream with the wanting, and at last to cry out in my arms, and I shall know that I’ve served ye well.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

Mary Queen of Scots (1542 – 1567). Her mother was a French, Catholic noble woman (second wife of James V nephew of Henry VIII). Mary was orphaned when sorely beaten by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) armies in his attempt to get James to agree to Mary’s marriage to Henry’s son Edward (VI 1547 – 1553) James V went into a decline (worsened by the news that his heir was female) he died when she was only 6 days old What followed was a tragic story that I could spend a week on but let it be said that the 2nd of Mary’s three husbands was Lord Darnley, (one died of a brain tumor, the second murdered in an explosion of the home he was in and the third in prison after raising an arm to take her son from his self appointed regent her bastard half brother) with strong royal blood lines and when Henry’s last child died (Mary I 1553 & Elizabeth I 1603) with out giving England one heir James VI (of Scotland and the first of England) become King eventually uniting the two realms (though not always peacefully). By this time his mother Mary had been executed for treason against Elizabeth I.

“Where did you learn to kiss like that?” I said, a little breathless. He grinned and pulled me close again.“I said I was a virgin, not a monk,” he said, kissing me again. “If I find I need guidance, I’ll ask.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

The Stuarts (note the spelling change) ruled from 1603 – 1714 but we’re more interested in is first Charles I (beheaded by Parliament after a major Civil War 1649) then Charles II who was restored to the throne in 1660 (to 1683) two years after the death of Puritan leader Cromwell). Charles died with many mistresses and at least nine children but none legitimate and so the throne went to his younger brother another James.

“And if your life is a suitable exchange for my honor, why is my honor not a suitable exchange for your life?”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

James II (1685 – 1688) was only king for two short years before he was deposed due to his Catholic religion) in favor of His daughter Mary and her Dutch Husband (1689 – 1702), then his second daughter. At the time of our story the Hanovers–Germans with a tie through Sophia Stuart set the throne Specifically George II (1727-1760).

“Why, what’s the matter wi’ the poor child?” she demanded of Jamie. “Has she had an accident o’ some sort?””No, it’s only she’s married me,” he said, “though if ye care to call it an accident, ye may.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

Bonnie Prince Charlie for whom Dougal is raising funds was the son of James II, who was smuggled away to France as a baby (born 1720). Added to the fact that he was from a long line of Scots and the fact that he was Catholic made his cause particularly important to the Highlanders whom were like the Makenzies and Fraser (remember the wedding) mostly of the Roman faith.

“That’s what marriage is good for; it makes a sacrament out of things ye’d otherwise have to confess. Jamie Fraser”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

The French Connection. I have already mentioned the fact that James II fled to France and that Mary Queen of Scots had a French Mother but it is also noted that Mary was also Queen of France (her coat of arms shown above). Scotland and France had agreements in place in the late 1200’s. They even provided the French with large numbers of troops after their armies were destroyed at Angicourt. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/europe/features_europe_auldalliance.shtml Prior to this Norman Invaders expanded into Scotland, not by might but by land grants from the King and Church. For instance Jamie’s name Fraser (meaning strawberry (the fruit), and fraisiers, strawberry plants. ) and the French motto: I am ready.

So in our story all of this has gone before and our highlanders are poised on the edge of destiny awaiting the return of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

“No wonder he was so good with horses, I thought blearily, feeling his fingers rubbing gently behind my ears, listening to the soothing, incomprehensible speech. If I were a horse, I’d let him ride me anywhere.”
― Diana Gabaldon, Outlander