Season 2 of Starz’ Outlander saw series leads Jamie and Claire Fraser (played by cast members Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe) making new lives for themselves in France in an attempt to halt the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, in particular, the deadly Battle of Culloden. Upon their arrival in Paris, Claire makes an enemy (but saves thousands by preventing a Smallpox outbreak). This enemy is the Count of St. Germain (played by Stanley Weber), a French noble who was a real historical figure that continues to be shrouded in mystery and legend.
In Outlander, St. Germain’s ship is burned for carrying infected goods. His reaction to Claire’s life-saving measures on the ship’s passengers and modern knowledge of the disease is immediately negative, and marks the beginning of his scheming and power-hungry ways, including his later attempted poisoning of Claire. In reality, the Count of St. Germain made a number of important contributions to science, alchemy, and the arts – and some even claim he is still alive. This makes him one of the most fascinating Outlander characters based on real people.
The Count Of St. Germain’s Role In Outlander
St. Germain Is A Villain In Season 2
Viewers first meet the Count of St. Germain (or, in French, the Comte de St. Germain) at the start of season 2, when Claire and Jamie travel to Paris to work with Jamie’s cousin Jared Fraser at his winery. Their true motivations for getting involved in the family business are to find Bonnie Prince Charlie and attempt to halt the upcoming Jacobite Rebellion, which ends in the bloody Battle of Culloden, and potentially Jamie’s death. Given that Claire is a time traveler, she attempts to use her knowledge of the future to play an intricate political game that could change the course of history.
As the story would have it, Claire and Jamie are unable to change the course of history – but Claire does make a minor adjustment through her smallpox efforts. Claire’s modern medical knowledge and sharp tongue naturally have the locals assuming that she must be a witch. To protect Claire and his loyalty to their marriage, Jamie tells the Bonnie Prince, St. Germain, and King Louis XV that Claire is La Dame Blanche, or, in Celtic circles, a White Lady. La Dame Blanche is said to have psychic abilities, which offers a period appropriate explanation for Claire’s knowledge of the future.
After the Count of St. Germain’s ships full of imports are burned because of contamination that Claire caught before it spread through Paris, he attempts to poison a pregnant Claire with bitter cascara. Later, Raymond and St. Germain are accused of witchcraft, and Claire feigns psychic abilities to determine who is a witch. She conspires to use the bitter cascara to spare both lives, but Raymond poisons St. Germain due to their longstanding war and what he did to Claire. This is a change from what happened to the real St. Germain.
The Legend of the Count Of St. Germain
The Real Count Of St. Germain Was An Alchemist, Scientist, And Maybe A Vampire
The Count Of St. Germain is believed to have been born circa 1691-1712. His birth remains obscure to historians, though close to his death, St. Germain claimed to be the son of Francis II Rákóczi, Prince of Transylvania (via Monsieur le Comte de Saint-Germain: The Great Pretender). It remains unclear where he was born and exactly what year, but some historians continue to question whether St. Germain’s identity was obscured purposely for protection from the Habsburg Dynasty.
Historians have confirmed that St. Germain frequently changed his name and used pseudonyms in order to pursue new studies and professions, reinventing himself as Claude Louis, Comte de Saint Germain, and Robert François Quesnay de Saint Germain. Some believed that St. Germain could have been Jewish, using pseudonyms to escape antisemitism. This theory was largely popularized in the 19th century by P.T. Barnum.
St. Germain is believed to have been educated at the University of Siena in Italy by Gian Gastone, Grand Duke of Tuscany. His appearance in King Louis XV’s court in Outlander was historically accurate, as he arrived in France in the 1740s. Lady Jemima York once described St. Germain as “an odd creature,” further corroborating claims that St. Germain was concealing his alchemical and mystical interests.
St. Germain was an accomplished musician, and penned a number of literary works. His most famous book is The Most Holy Trinosophia, an obscure alchemical volume. Even this authorship is widely debated, as St. Germain’s role is designated in a publication note but speculated to have been written in part by Italian magician Alessandro Cagliostro. Historian Jean Fuller found in 1988 that St. Germain’s death was allegedly reported in Germany, with his sole belongings being a small amount of toiletries and clothing, with receipts of his paid bills. There were reportedly no jewels or documents illustrating additional wealth.
The Count of St. Germain In Supernatural Lore
His Mysterious Backstory Is Fodder For Vampire Stories
Given the Count of St. Germain’s interest in alchemy and mysterious birth and death, folklore continues to emerge about his life, and whether he is still living it. Some mystics continue to claim that he is an immortal vampire. In 19th century New Orleans, Louisiana, a man named Jacques St. Germain emerged as a prominent figure in the city, claiming to be a descendant of St. Germain. Some question if Jacque is actually the original St. Germain, only with yet another name.
…sightings of St. Germain continue to be reported, with restaurants, cocktails, and other tourist attractions across New Orleans named after the legendary vampire…
According to local lore, St. Germain was known to host extravagant dinner parties but never partake in the food. One evening, he was found attacking a woman, and wine bottles of blood were found in his home. Ever since, sightings of St. Germain continue to be reported, with restaurants, cocktails, and other tourist attractions across New Orleans named after the legendary vampire (via Terrebonne Parish Library).
Author Anne Rice, who penned Interview With The Vampire, which was adapted into a successful 1994 film and is currently a television series, based her main character Lestat de Lioncourt on the late Count. The legend is also referenced in the CW’s The Originals, which also takes place in New Orleans. While the real history of the Count of St. Germain may never be known, the mystery alone allows film and television writers to explore creative stories in shows like Outlander.
Sources: The Most Holy Trinosophia, Terrebonne Parish Library, Monsieur le Comte de Saint-Germain: The Great Pretender, The Humbugs Of The World, The Comte De Saint-Germain: Last Scion of the House of Rakoczy
