Changing History

After the fire at the Big House, Jamie and Claire believe the newspaper got everything wrong about the fire. However, when Claire comes across Tom Christie in Wilmington; he tells her he was the one who put the obituary in the newspaper. He’d heard about the fire and believed them dead. He couldn’t let her death pass without being acknowledged. He was surprised to find out both Jamie and Claire survived.

This also means Brianna and Roger did not change history by coming back in time to warn Jamie and Claire. Brianna believed they would die in this fire but they never did so despite their coming back and Brianna playing into history by making the very matches that caused the fire; they didn’t change anything.

SOURCE: A Most Uncomfortable Woman

Brianna and Roger visit Fiona at Rev. Wakefield’s old manse only to find out that Fiona received a delivery for Jemmy which has been in a bank vault for 200 years. Inside they find letters from Jamie and Claire and what appears to be a musket ball.

The first letter Brianna and Roger read is about the fire at the Big House. Roger comes to the conclusion that Brianna is the reason for the fire. She went back in time and made matches which is what Donner used to accidentally ignite the ether. They believe they changed history and that the fire that killed Jamie and Claire can not happen because the house is already gone.

SOURCE: Death Be Not Proud

The Frasers have tried to prevent the fire at the Ridge that is supposed to kill both Jamie and Claire. Wendigo Donner shows up and is angry that Roger’s response to his please for help was to “pray for him.” Donner had a gemstone and tried to go through the stones as Ocracoke but failed. He ended up in the same place only now without a gemstone. He wants Jamie and Claire to give him one and brought brigands to assist him in getting what he wants. Did the knowledge of the fire change history?

Source: The Happiest Place on Earth

Roger discovers Jamie and Claire are to die in a fire but doesn’t want to tell Brianna because she can’t do anything about it. As he tries to tell Fiona about it, Fiona confesses she knows Claire is a time traveler and that she dances around the stones much like her grandmother Mrs. Graham.

Source: Common Ground

Jamie and Claire set out to stop the Battle of Culloden by sabotaging Bonnie Prince Charlie. On the eve of the battle, Claire and Jamie even discuss killing Charles Stuart and are overheard by Dougal who attacks and dies by Jamie’s hand.

Jamie knows he can’t stop the battle but he can save Claire by sending her back to Frank.

Claire wondered if they could change history. They didn’t manage. Is it impossible? Or is it that a war has too many variables to prevent?

Source: Dragonfly in Amber

Claire believed Jack Randall was Frank’s direct ancestor (that is what Frank believed) but after the dual with Jamie was left unable to father children. This caused Claire to believe they could change history and Frank wouldn’t be born.

In Edinburgh, Claire discovered Alex Randall and Mary together. Mary confesses to being pregnant with Alex’s child. On Alex’s deathbed he asks Jack to marry Mary and protect her with his name.

Source: The Hail Mary

Claire tells Jamie the Scots will win the battle of Prestonpans. Jamie confirms their win.

Source: Prestonpans

While at the Royal Stud Farm, Annalise points out to Claire there is a man starring at her. When she turns to see it is Jack Randall who waxes poetic about encountering her there. The King chats with Claire and mocks Randall eventually getting him on his knees to beg for the release of his brother from the Bastille. Claire asks the King if she may take her leave because she’s not feeling well and the King grants her and Jamie leave with concern.

After the King leaves, Jamie goes back to Randall and arranges a duel where he plans to kill Randall.

Claire doesn’t want this because she believes if Jack Randall dies then Frank will never be born.

Source: Untimely Resurrection

After helping Alex gain his freedom from the Bastille, Claire convinces him a life with him wouldn’t be good for Mary. Alex is so in love he actually believes breaking Mary’s heart is the solution. Claire feels bad but she wants to ensure Frank’s existence.

Source: Untimely Resurrection

Mary confesses to Claire she has fallen in love. She met her at the ball at the Palace of Versailles. Claire realizes she means Alex Randall. While the walk home, Mary and Claire are attacked and Mary is raped.

If Mary is in love with Alex Randall, how is Jonathan Randall Frank’s ancestor?

Source: La Dame Blanche

At Versailles, Claire is introduced to Alexander Randall the Duke of Sandringham’s secretary. The Duke tells Alex that Claire and Jonathan are acquainted and Alex promises to tell Jonathan he met her. Claire is stunned to learn Jack Randall survived the stampede of cattle though not without injury.

Source: Not in Scotland Anymore

Claire meets Mary Hawkins at Louise’s home and soon realizes she’s Frank’s ancestor. She is the mother of Black Jack Randall’s child. However, Jack Randall is presumed dead.

Will Frank be born?

Source: Not in Scotland Anymore

Claire told Black Jack Randall he’d die at the Battle of Culloden. Jack Randall was believed killed at Wentworth after the Jamie’s escape. If he dies early does that mean Frank won’t be born?

Source: Wentworth Prison