Lord John's Voyager Timeline
John Grey
Significant Moments in Voyager:
Significant Moments in Voyager:
1755:
Lord John is involved in a scandal involving his lover George Everett. His brother Hal manages to keep the gossip to a minimum but John is sent in disgrace to be Governor of Ardsmuir Prison, taking over the role from Harry Quarry (V, chapter 8)
Harry Quarry tells Lord John that there is one prisoner called Red Jamie Fraser who acts as spokesperson for all the others, and who John will have to deal with. John recognises the name as that of the Highlander he had the embarrassing run-in with when he was sixteen years old and realises that Harry has heard the story (V, chapter 8)
Harry tells John that the prisoners will obey James Fraser without question, but will not obey any orders unless Jamie has given his approval. In order to establish goodwill with Jamie, Harry developed an arrangement whereby he ate supper with Jamie once a week and they discussed the men's concerns. Harry suggests John does the same, but John cannot bear to think of doing such a thing with the man who humiliated him (V, chapter 8)
Quarry warns John to never turn his back on Jamie if he ever dines with him alone. Although he is in chains he is a large man and many of the Jacobite Scots are filled with hate and despair towards the English (V, chapter 8)
John spends his first night at Ardsmuir tossing and turning with thoughts of the revenge he could exact on Jamie now that he is his prisoner and at his mercy. But the thoughts turn his stomach and he realises that it is his duty of honour to see to the welfare of all the prisoners, including Red Jamie Fraser (V, chapter 8)
Two weeks later a messenger comes to Ardsmuir prison to tell John that a man has been found wandering on the moor. His clothes were soaked with seawater and he is fevered and babbling in a mixture of French, Gaelic and a few words of English, including the word 'gold'. John immediately suspects that this man may know something about the gold that Louis of France was rumoured to have sent to Charles Stuart and which is rumoured to be hidden somewhere on the north-west coast. If John can recover that gold his scandal will be forgotten and he will be able to leave Ardsmuir. John realises that Jamie is the only person who speaks both French and Gaelic and resigns himself to asking Jamie for his help with the matter (V, chapter 9)
John calls Jamie to his office and asks for his help. Jamie refuses saying that he is a prisoner, not an interpreter and makes to leave. John offers to strike off Jamie's chains if he agrees to help and Jamie accepts the bargain. In return for having his chains removed John asks three things - that Jamie will not attempt to escape during the journey, that he will give a full and true account of all the man says, and that he will not tell anyone but John Grey about what he learns (V, chapter 9)
John and Jamie arrive at Ardsmuir Village well after midnight and go to the inn where the man has been taken. He is close to death and a priest is present. Jamie sits at his side all through the night, listening and comforting the man, while John Grey stands by the door. The man dies just before dawn and John asks Jamie to tell him what he said. Jamie tells John that the man spoke a lot of gibberish about a white witch and seals. Despite having been up all night John and Jamie then set off to return to the prison (V, chapter 9)
Three days later Jamie escapes from Ardsmuir. John Grey feels angry and betrayed. He assumes that the dying man must have told Jamie where the Frenchman's gold is hidden and he immediately organises a search party to go after him. After several days of fruitless searching John gives up and is returning to Ardsmuir when he stops to relieve himself. Once finished he straightens up to find himself looking straight into the eyes of Jamie. Jamie is taken back to Ardsmuir (V, chapter 9)
Late in the evening Jamie is taken up to John Grey's quarters. John asks Jamie if his escape had anything to do with the Frenchman's gold but Jamie refuses to answer and awaits his punishment. However, John decides that the only way to get the information from Jamie is to build a relationship with him and to Jamie's astonishment John asks him if he will take supper with him the following day and Jamie agrees (V, chapter 10)
John starts to have weekly meetings with Jamie, beginning with a game of chess followed by a dinner of mutton and boiled potatoes, and then a glass of port or sherry. John's attempts at steering the conversation towards the subject of the gold, or of learning anything more about Jamie's personal life are not successful but he finds himself enjoying their conversations more and more (V, chapter 10)
After a month of unproductive conversation John starts to ask himself why Jamie allowed himself to be recaptured instead of escaping for good. He realises that if Jamie had absconded the Crown would have interrogated his family and therefore he must have come back to Ardsmuir to protect them. John writes to his brother Hal, explaining the situation and asking Hal to find out any information he can about Jamie's family (V, chapter 10)
Six weeks later, after John and Jamie have finished their meal and are drinking their sherry, John casually asks Jamie how his sister fares. Jamie reacts with shock at mention of his family and John proceeds reveal all that he has found out about them and implies that Jamie found the gold and sent it to them. Jamie reacts angrily but still refuses to tell John why he escaped from Ardsmuir. John then resorts to threats and blackmail - if Jamie does not tell him, he will send soldiers to search Lallybroch and arrest and interrogate Jenny, Ian and the three eldest children (V, chapter 10)
Jamie capitulates and tells John that when Duncan Kerr spoke of a 'white witch' he thought that Duncan may have been speaking of Claire and he had gone to search for her. He tells John that he found a small box containing a few gold and silver coins and a small leather pouch filled with jewels, and that he threw the box into the sea. John asks for proof of his tale and Jamie produces a good sized sapphire which he gives to John. John than asks Jamie to swear on a Bible as to the truth of his tale and Jamie does so with some very clever wording that ensures he doesn't lie (V, chapter 10)
A month later John decides to act on his attraction to Jamie. After a nice meal they settle down to their usual game of chess. John reaches across the board and puts his hand on top of Jamie's. With a voice full of quiet hatred and disgust, Jamie tells John to remove his hand or he will kill him. John does so and Jamie leaves the room (V, chapter 11)
Five months later in November John orders a routine search of the prisoners' cells. A small piece of tartan is found and John Grey is sure that it belongs to young Angus MacKenzie. He asks Angus if it is his, but Jamie steps forward and claims that it belongs to him. John knows that Jamie is lying and asks him if he knows what the punishment is for possession of tartan. With indifference Jamie replies that he does (V, chapter 12)
The punishment is sixty lashes. John watches Jamie take his punishment with a thin layer of self disgust as he realises that he cannot tear his eyes from the beauty of Jamie's body. Later that day, in his study, John vomits as he recollects the experience (V, chapter 12)
Lord John is involved in a scandal involving his lover George Everett. His brother Hal manages to keep the gossip to a minimum but John is sent in disgrace to be Governor of Ardsmuir Prison, taking over the role from Harry Quarry (V, chapter 8)
Harry Quarry tells Lord John that there is one prisoner called Red Jamie Fraser who acts as spokesperson for all the others, and who John will have to deal with. John recognises the name as that of the Highlander he had the embarrassing run-in with when he was sixteen years old and realises that Harry has heard the story (V, chapter 8)
Harry tells John that the prisoners will obey James Fraser without question, but will not obey any orders unless Jamie has given his approval. In order to establish goodwill with Jamie, Harry developed an arrangement whereby he ate supper with Jamie once a week and they discussed the men's concerns. Harry suggests John does the same, but John cannot bear to think of doing such a thing with the man who humiliated him (V, chapter 8)
Quarry warns John to never turn his back on Jamie if he ever dines with him alone. Although he is in chains he is a large man and many of the Jacobite Scots are filled with hate and despair towards the English (V, chapter 8)
John spends his first night at Ardsmuir tossing and turning with thoughts of the revenge he could exact on Jamie now that he is his prisoner and at his mercy. But the thoughts turn his stomach and he realises that it is his duty of honour to see to the welfare of all the prisoners, including Red Jamie Fraser (V, chapter 8)
Two weeks later a messenger comes to Ardsmuir prison to tell John that a man has been found wandering on the moor. His clothes were soaked with seawater and he is fevered and babbling in a mixture of French, Gaelic and a few words of English, including the word 'gold'. John immediately suspects that this man may know something about the gold that Louis of France was rumoured to have sent to Charles Stuart and which is rumoured to be hidden somewhere on the north-west coast. If John can recover that gold his scandal will be forgotten and he will be able to leave Ardsmuir. John realises that Jamie is the only person who speaks both French and Gaelic and resigns himself to asking Jamie for his help with the matter (V, chapter 9)
John calls Jamie to his office and asks for his help. Jamie refuses saying that he is a prisoner, not an interpreter and makes to leave. John offers to strike off Jamie's chains if he agrees to help and Jamie accepts the bargain. In return for having his chains removed John asks three things - that Jamie will not attempt to escape during the journey, that he will give a full and true account of all the man says, and that he will not tell anyone but John Grey about what he learns (V, chapter 9)
John and Jamie arrive at Ardsmuir Village well after midnight and go to the inn where the man has been taken. He is close to death and a priest is present. Jamie sits at his side all through the night, listening and comforting the man, while John Grey stands by the door. The man dies just before dawn and John asks Jamie to tell him what he said. Jamie tells John that the man spoke a lot of gibberish about a white witch and seals. Despite having been up all night John and Jamie then set off to return to the prison (V, chapter 9)
Three days later Jamie escapes from Ardsmuir. John Grey feels angry and betrayed. He assumes that the dying man must have told Jamie where the Frenchman's gold is hidden and he immediately organises a search party to go after him. After several days of fruitless searching John gives up and is returning to Ardsmuir when he stops to relieve himself. Once finished he straightens up to find himself looking straight into the eyes of Jamie. Jamie is taken back to Ardsmuir (V, chapter 9)
Late in the evening Jamie is taken up to John Grey's quarters. John asks Jamie if his escape had anything to do with the Frenchman's gold but Jamie refuses to answer and awaits his punishment. However, John decides that the only way to get the information from Jamie is to build a relationship with him and to Jamie's astonishment John asks him if he will take supper with him the following day and Jamie agrees (V, chapter 10)
John starts to have weekly meetings with Jamie, beginning with a game of chess followed by a dinner of mutton and boiled potatoes, and then a glass of port or sherry. John's attempts at steering the conversation towards the subject of the gold, or of learning anything more about Jamie's personal life are not successful but he finds himself enjoying their conversations more and more (V, chapter 10)
After a month of unproductive conversation John starts to ask himself why Jamie allowed himself to be recaptured instead of escaping for good. He realises that if Jamie had absconded the Crown would have interrogated his family and therefore he must have come back to Ardsmuir to protect them. John writes to his brother Hal, explaining the situation and asking Hal to find out any information he can about Jamie's family (V, chapter 10)
Six weeks later, after John and Jamie have finished their meal and are drinking their sherry, John casually asks Jamie how his sister fares. Jamie reacts with shock at mention of his family and John proceeds reveal all that he has found out about them and implies that Jamie found the gold and sent it to them. Jamie reacts angrily but still refuses to tell John why he escaped from Ardsmuir. John then resorts to threats and blackmail - if Jamie does not tell him, he will send soldiers to search Lallybroch and arrest and interrogate Jenny, Ian and the three eldest children (V, chapter 10)
Jamie capitulates and tells John that when Duncan Kerr spoke of a 'white witch' he thought that Duncan may have been speaking of Claire and he had gone to search for her. He tells John that he found a small box containing a few gold and silver coins and a small leather pouch filled with jewels, and that he threw the box into the sea. John asks for proof of his tale and Jamie produces a good sized sapphire which he gives to John. John than asks Jamie to swear on a Bible as to the truth of his tale and Jamie does so with some very clever wording that ensures he doesn't lie (V, chapter 10)
A month later John decides to act on his attraction to Jamie. After a nice meal they settle down to their usual game of chess. John reaches across the board and puts his hand on top of Jamie's. With a voice full of quiet hatred and disgust, Jamie tells John to remove his hand or he will kill him. John does so and Jamie leaves the room (V, chapter 11)
Five months later in November John orders a routine search of the prisoners' cells. A small piece of tartan is found and John Grey is sure that it belongs to young Angus MacKenzie. He asks Angus if it is his, but Jamie steps forward and claims that it belongs to him. John knows that Jamie is lying and asks him if he knows what the punishment is for possession of tartan. With indifference Jamie replies that he does (V, chapter 12)
The punishment is sixty lashes. John watches Jamie take his punishment with a thin layer of self disgust as he realises that he cannot tear his eyes from the beauty of Jamie's body. Later that day, in his study, John vomits as he recollects the experience (V, chapter 12)
1756:
In September John calls Jamie into his quarters to tell him that as the renovation of Ardsmuir Prison is almost complete, the Scottish prisoners are to be transported to the American Colonies and sold as indentured servants for a term of seven years. John then tells Jamie that as he is not just a prisoner of war, but a convicted traitor, he is imprisoned at the pleasure of His Majesty and His Majesty has not given assent to commute Jamie's sentence to transportation. Instead Jamie is to be sent to Helwater in the Lake District, to serve as a servant of Lord Dunsany. John informs Jamie that he will visit him once a quarter to ensure his welfare (V, chapter 14)
Jamie does not know that John has used his own influence to prevent Jamie from being transported, and to instead provide him with a situation where he will have access to air, light and horses (V, chapter 16)
John and Jamie undertake the four day journey from Ardsmuir to the Lake District, during which time Jamie does not once speak to John. John suggests to Jamie that he change his name so that the Dunsany's won't know that he is the notorious Red Jamie Fraser (V, chapter 14)
When John and Jamie arrive at Helwater, John leaves Jamie in the front hall while he is received in the main drawing room. John suggests to Lord Dunsany that he makes Jamie a groom, as he is good with horses and Lord Dunsany agrees. John assures Lord Dunsany that Jamie will not harm them as he is an honourable man who has given his parole. Jamie will not enter the house or leave the boundaries of the property without Lord Dunsany's express permission (V, chapter 14)
In September John calls Jamie into his quarters to tell him that as the renovation of Ardsmuir Prison is almost complete, the Scottish prisoners are to be transported to the American Colonies and sold as indentured servants for a term of seven years. John then tells Jamie that as he is not just a prisoner of war, but a convicted traitor, he is imprisoned at the pleasure of His Majesty and His Majesty has not given assent to commute Jamie's sentence to transportation. Instead Jamie is to be sent to Helwater in the Lake District, to serve as a servant of Lord Dunsany. John informs Jamie that he will visit him once a quarter to ensure his welfare (V, chapter 14)
Jamie does not know that John has used his own influence to prevent Jamie from being transported, and to instead provide him with a situation where he will have access to air, light and horses (V, chapter 16)
John and Jamie undertake the four day journey from Ardsmuir to the Lake District, during which time Jamie does not once speak to John. John suggests to Jamie that he change his name so that the Dunsany's won't know that he is the notorious Red Jamie Fraser (V, chapter 14)
When John and Jamie arrive at Helwater, John leaves Jamie in the front hall while he is received in the main drawing room. John suggests to Lord Dunsany that he makes Jamie a groom, as he is good with horses and Lord Dunsany agrees. John assures Lord Dunsany that Jamie will not harm them as he is an honourable man who has given his parole. Jamie will not enter the house or leave the boundaries of the property without Lord Dunsany's express permission (V, chapter 14)
1758-1763:
Jamie rebuilds his friendship with John after realising that John had used his influence to prevent him from being transported. They enjoy conversations together when John visits Helwater each quarter (V, chapter 16)
Jamie rebuilds his friendship with John after realising that John had used his influence to prevent him from being transported. They enjoy conversations together when John visits Helwater each quarter (V, chapter 16)
1764:
In July Jamie decides he wants to go home. John uses his influence to arrange for Jamie to be released from his parole and the pardon comes through in September (V, chapter 16)
In July Jamie decides he wants to go home. John uses his influence to arrange for Jamie to be released from his parole and the pardon comes through in September (V, chapter 16)
1767:
John is onboard the Porpoise heading towards Jamaica where he is to take up the position of Governor. The Porpoise becomes infected with an outbreak of typhoid and John is ordered to keep to his cabin, although he is aware that there is a female physician called Mrs Malcolm on board tending to the ill (V, chapter 48)
About two weeks after the start of the outbreak, John can no longer stand being confined to his cabin and he goes up on deck to find Claire slamming her hand into the railing in despair. John stops her, concerned she will hurt herself and he introduces himself as Grey. Claire tells him how useless she feels being unable to stop the sick men from dying and John offers her a handkerchief, some brandy and words of empathy, saying that as a soldier he too knows what it is to hold men's lives in his hand and to lose them. John also apologises for not being aware of how serious the situation is and for not doing anything to help. The combination of brandy and empathy helps ease some of Claire's tension. John kisses Claire's hand and says goodnight before going back to his cabin (V, chapter 48)
John is onboard the Porpoise heading towards Jamaica where he is to take up the position of Governor. The Porpoise becomes infected with an outbreak of typhoid and John is ordered to keep to his cabin, although he is aware that there is a female physician called Mrs Malcolm on board tending to the ill (V, chapter 48)
About two weeks after the start of the outbreak, John can no longer stand being confined to his cabin and he goes up on deck to find Claire slamming her hand into the railing in despair. John stops her, concerned she will hurt herself and he introduces himself as Grey. Claire tells him how useless she feels being unable to stop the sick men from dying and John offers her a handkerchief, some brandy and words of empathy, saying that as a soldier he too knows what it is to hold men's lives in his hand and to lose them. John also apologises for not being aware of how serious the situation is and for not doing anything to help. The combination of brandy and empathy helps ease some of Claire's tension. John kisses Claire's hand and says goodnight before going back to his cabin (V, chapter 48)