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Character French Male Noble Lord Married Season 2 Season 3 Season Four
Lord Narcisse
Stéphane Narcisse
Biographical Information
Family Name: Stéphane Narcisse
Title: Lord Narcisse

Lord Chancellor
Marquis of Rouen

Age: Mid to late 40's (Estimated)
Height: 5'10
Gender: Male Male
Nationality: French Flag - France
Status: Alive
Religion: Roman Catholic
Originally From: France
Current Location: French Court
Affiliations: French Court

House of Narcisse
Narcisse and Catherine
Narcisse and Claude
Narcisse and Lola

Relationship Information
Wife: Lady Lola

Estelle Narcisse
3 Unnamed Wives †

Children: Luc Narcisse (Son)

Eduard Narcisse(Son)
Unborn Child With Witch

Family: Unnamed Brother †

Unnamed Sister
Lady Amelie (Niece)

Interests: Queen Catherine (Lover)

Princess Claude (Tryst)
Nicole Touchet (Tryst)

Character Information
First Appearance: The Plague
Last Appearance: All It Cost Her
Portrayed By: Craig Parker
GALLERY


"The beginning is often promising. The trick is to keep it going that way."
Lord Narcisse

Lord Stéphane Narcisse is an attractive gentleman, who is very manipulative and cut-throat. He owns most of the grain in France and is an incredibly rich man.

Must See Episodes

Personality

Narcisse is a very self-righteous and attractive man. He thinks he deserves more and better because of his station, what he provides for the Kingdom, and because of his long history with the crown. He doesn't want to rule France, but certainly, control parts of it. He is a very cut-throat man and doesn't appear to have a limit as to what he won't do to get what he wants. No matter who's in his way. While he may be cunning, he demonstrates a compassionate side by showing care and affection towards those he loves, including Lola.

Biography

Early Life

Stéphane was first married off when he was 15 to a very wealthy young woman. Under pressure from his father to produce an heir, Stéphane and his wife tried and failed to have a child. Resulting in an unknown number of miscarriages. Soon after her last miscarriage, they tried again. Her body was already too fragile and she bled out and died.

Shortly after, Stéphane was married off to a young noble again by his father. She died of hemophilia and was often found in puddles of blood.  His third wife was great friends with the wife of Duke Boinel, and they spoke very candidly together. They died together in one of the summer plagues. At some point during these three marriages. he had at least four children, including Eduard and Luc Narcisse. The very least number is four because after Eduard's death, Luc tells Claude he doesn't see his siblings much, meaning he has at least two alive siblings. Also, Stéphane claims to have a handful of adult children. 

Season 2

The Plague
An attractive older man rides up to a makeshift camp in the forest, where he comes across Louis of Condé and, much to his surprise, the new King of France. There, he introduces himself as Lord Narcisse. Lady Lola notices that the has a cage in tow with a girl in it. Narcisse admits that it looks barbaric - but she is to remain isolated until he determines whether she has the plague or not.

Before leaving the group, Narcisse deliberately mentions Condé's boat by wishing him a safe voyage, knowing that Francis didn't know. He uses that to make himself look trustworthy, by constrast to Condé, who hasn't given his new king the "same chance of survival as his own".

"A new king needs to know who his real friends are."
Lord Narcisse

Drawn and Quartered
Narcisse has ditched his plan to flee the country in fear of the plague upon hearing that his son Eduard died because of it. He is welcomed to court by Catherine, the Queen Mother, who offers him her condolences. Narcisse doesn't understand why his son wasn't safe in the castle and decides to go see him.

He and a guard enter the catacoombs where the plague victims are, nearly all of them dead and rotting, including Eduard. Narcisse sees a man in the corner who is still alive. After getting him something to eat and drink, the man reveals all of what he witnessed - Eduard being tossed into the catacoombs, where he eventually contracted the illness and died shortly after.

Narcisse, accompanied by the backing of other nobles, enters a court festivity and alleges that Nostradamus falsely diagnosed Eduard and condemned him to death. King Francis is stunned, but isn't given much of a chance to speak as Narcisse continues his rant about the noblemen providing everything for the kingdom. Francis promptly orders Nostradamus to be taken away for questioning.

Lola is forraging in the woods and loses her horse when Narcisse rides up to "save" her. Narcisse tells her that it is a long walk back to the castle, goading her into riding back with him. While on his horse, he taunts Lola about pressing up against him.

Later, Narcisse and Lola have stopped for Narcisse's horse to rest. He tries to get her to agree to clandestine meetings since she won't be up front about seeing him for fear of offending Francis and Mary.

The next day, Sebastian and his guards search through Narcisse's house by authority of the King to look for evidence of treason against the Crown. They find nothing.

Later, Narcisse is waiting for Lola in her room. When she comes in, he tells her how saddened he is that Lola chose Francis, a "weak, patricidal king", over their future. He thought she had a change of heart when the king's guard didn't immediately arrive. Lola claims to have had one until she found out that Narcisse threatened her son.

Narcisse says he would never really hurt her baby, but now there's a target on her and her baby's back and it's too bad she didn't think of the extra protection his friendship would've offered.

That evening, Narcisse is drinking and mingling with ladies when Princess Claude comes in and sits on his lap. He correctly guesses that she is just using him to get out of an arranged engagement, but he flirts with her nonetheless, asking for his cape before she goes.

Acts of War
Mercy
Narcisse has fled since the attack on the castle. But with Lola's help, King Francis finds him and attacks him. But he doesn't kill him, because Narcisse warns him that he has changed his will, leaving everything to the Protestants if he died. Francis promises him a fate worse than death.

Francis goes to see Narcisse. He wanted to rip him from limb to limb, but he decided he has better use for him alive. Narcisse promises to do anything Francis asks of him. Francis tells Narcisse that he is his puppet now. And should he outlive his usefulness, he'll have him slaughtered in the dead of night.

Narcisse has ultimately confessed to embezzling from the Crown. King Francis has been parceling out his land and Narcisse has been advising him on what the land is suitable for.

Lola runs into Lord Narcisse's arms and offers herself to him. He realizes that she is not in her right state of mind and turns her down, asking that she is watched over by the servants. He wants for her to remember when they come together for the first time.


Season 3

Three Queens, Two Tigers
Lord Narcisse, now working for the Crown, tells Francis and Mary that some of their previously loyal supporters have been turned against them and they risk losing Scotland. He also continues pursuing Lola, but Lola will not give in to his love because of Catherine's hatred of her and the fact that he hurt her in order to please Catherine. Narcisse promises to protect her and keep her safe, but she doubts it.

However, the next day, Narcisse finds Lola in his bathtub. She proposes a secret relationship, but he wants all the strings attached. He tells Lola he is the right man for her and that he'll wait until she can see it too.

In an effort to track Catherine down, Narcisse informs the royal pair that the delegation which traveled to Rome to smear Queen Mary's name was assassinated by The Vatican and they had correspondence from England.

Betrothed
When Lola takes a bath, she finds a dead rat in her tub. She finds a message in its throat and takes it straight to Lord Narcisse, believing Catherine is behind it. She admits her feelings for him but says that they cannot be together because she will be in danger no matter what.

Betrothed - Lord Narcisse 4

So what do you think now?

Hoping to change her mind, Narcisse plots a trail of petals leading to him in a forest where he knows Lola will be. She takes the path and ends up on a picnic with Narcisse, where they talk about the future of their relationship. She convinces him that for the time being, a private affair is best for both of them. Soon enough, though, Lola confesses her love to Narcisse and tells him that they will find their way to a marriage somehow.

It is then revealed that Narcisse was the one who planted the rat in Lola's bath when he stops his servant from planting another one.

Extreme Measures
Narcisse proposes to Lola as they're in bed. She accepts and he gives her an engagement ring. Later, she tells him that as long as Francis has his doubts about Narcisse's character she wouldn't marry him. Claude and Charles later call upon him to help when Constance falls unconscious from consuming too much opium, and he helps save her from dying. Charles tells Francis of how Narcisse saved Constance and Francis summons Narcisse to inform him that he'll bless his and Lola's marriage. He and Lola get married. They're embracing in the hallway as Catherine de Medici approaches them and wishes them a "long and happy life".

The Price
When Narcisse overhears Lola confronting Catherine about the dead rat and Catherine denying it, he quickly steps in and leaves with Lola. He guarantees that she will be safe and that Catherine will be too busy trying to get votes to be regent to come after her.

On their honeymoon, Lola awakes to find Narcisse gone, only for him to return fully dressed with muddy boots and a story about preparing food and arranging a vineyard tour. Lola grows suspicious of her new husband.

The Price - Lola 11

Cute lunch

At lunch, Narcisse and Lola are accosted by the angry daughter of a landowner who accuses Narcisse of stealing her illiterate father's land. Lola looks to Narcisse to deny the claim but he cannot. She storms off and returns to their cottage, where she packs her things, furious with Narcisse. But she softens at the revalation that the lands he stole, combined with the lands King Francis gave John, give him a vote on the privy council, which he can use to keep Catherine on their good side.

In a Clearing
Narcisse pays his respects at King Francis' Funeral and informs Queen Mary that the assassins who killed Francis were Scottish Protestants who saw Marie de Guise's death as an opportunity to seize power. She orders the last remaining assassin hanged.

Fight or Flight
Lola and Narcisse are in bed discussing Lola's anxiety about Catherine and he begins discussing erotic fantasies with her. He would like her to be more aggressive, but she feels demeaned by his suggestion.

Later, Catherine walks in on Narcisse as he's dressing to tell him that she plans to ruin his life with Lola once she's Regent. He reveals that he has a seat on the privy council and will cast the deciding vote. She ensures his vote will go to her.

When Lola brings up the topic of erotic fantasies, he tells her it's all right. He even mentions that he had a "surprising" day, which prompts suspicion in Lola.

The Hound and the Hare
Queen Catherine visits the privy council to find out when they will be ready to vote on her regency. Lord Narcisse says they will vote when they're ready and she pushes them further. She convinces them to hold the vote on the following day. Narcisse follows her out of the chamber so they can negotiate the terms of his support. She promises him the position of Lord Chancellor if he votes in her favor.

Lola and Narcisse discuss Catherine's promise to make him Lord Chancellor should he help her win the regency. He accuses Lola of not trusting him to stay away from Catherine.

During the Hound and the Hare game, Narcisse spies Catherine and her lover. It bugs him so much that he comes to her at night and tells her to discard her "new plaything". She doesn't take his demands and instead invites him to bed.

The next day, the privy council begins their vote but before it can continue a cardinal enters the room and announces that Francis was poisoned, according to the colour of his liver. Catherine is under investigation and cannot rule, which Narcisse takes advantage of and has himself named Regent.

Safe Passage
Narcisse and Catherine are disguising Queen Mary's travels back to Scotland. Queen Catherine says Mary is sailing into a hostile nation of Protestants and must leave immediately. Needing her mercenaries for her own protection. Lord Narcisse warns her if that situation explodes, it is better for Mary to incur losses over her. Catherine realized he really does not like Mary. Narcisse reminds her Mary sent his son, Eduard Narcisse to his death. He may not have been a son to be proud of, but he was his, nevertheless. And when Lola had doubts about his commitment to her, and Mary fanned the flames of their discord, driving her to England.

Clans
Mary and Narcisse are in a fight after the shipwreck. Mary promises after he can go back to England, to return Lola home, and she wil go to Edinburgh, to meet the regent and her half-brother James Stuart, who will restore her as Scotland's Queen.


Season 4

With Friends Like These
Queen Elizabeth is consulting her advisors after the attempt on her life when Gideon Blackburn comes in. Elizabeth charges Gideon with finding Lord Darnley and bringing him to her. Instead, Gideon visits Lord Narcisse in his cell in the Tower. He is convinced that the letter Lola received was forged and would like to absolve Queen Mary of the blame. Narcisse points him to John's nanny, Reneé.

A Grain of Deception
Queen Elizabeth and Lord Narcisse are playing an Italian game called Bocce. Narcisse doesn't understand why he's still being held at English court, but Elizabeth reminds him that he stabbed two of her guards. She also tells him that she wrote to Catherine de' Medici about the terms of Narcisse's release but Catherine hasn't responded.

Later, Narcisse is summoned by Queen Elizabeth. She has a plan to destroy John Knox but she needs his help. She doesn't have proof of his crime against her so she needs him to plan another, during which she will catch him red-handed and try him. In exchange for entrapping him, Narcisse will earn his freedom back and get to kill Knox.

"So, are you killing Knox, or am I?"
Lord Narcisse

Narcisse sneaks up on Knox when alone and encourages him in conspiring against Elizabeth. He and his supporters could meet up at the French embassy, where they would be safe from the prying eyes and ears of the English and free to commit sedition.

Promotional Images - A Grain Of Deception 5

No justice today? Aight then

Knox has his carriage prepared, but he soon senses a trap and flees. Narcisse runs to the French embassy to inform Gideon and his men, which leads to Knox being detained at the border. However, since Elizabeth has no proof against Knox, she lets him go. That turn of events disappoints Narcisse, but he pretends to push justice to the back of his man now that he has earned his way home.

On his journey, he pays a visit to Lady Lennox, the mother of Lord Darnley. He tells her about how Elizabeth made a financial arrangement with Lord White to cancel the engagement between him and Keira. However, the road to Lord White's estate is rife with danger that the man delivering the money will have to face on his way, such as another man trailing him and then killing him, a man whom Narcisse all but admits to hiring.

Leaps of Faith
Narcisse and Catherine are reunited at French court, along with John Philip. John is lead away by a nanny and while Catherine vows to care for him, she promises Narcisse that he will be in his life as well. To her surprise, Narcisse doesn't want that. The child reminds him too much of Lola.

The conversation then shifts to Queen Leeza and her inserting herself into French affairs. Catherine tells Narcisse about how Spain has pressed to replace him as Lord Chancellor of France with one of their own. Narcisse pledges to fight for his spot.

Unchartered Waters
Queen Catherine informed Lord Narcisse Queen Leeza was back in Spain, but she's not happy. Catherine informed her Prince Henry's return to France had been delayed, 'cause he is fighting Turks on behalf of the Catholic faith. Something that would please her, she liked the slaughter of infidels, but still she wants Henri on the throne, not his older brother. Leeza would allow King Charles to remain king while Henry's was delayed. In the meantime, she's requesting that she attend Mary and Darnley's Wedding. insisted that she represent both France and Spain's support of a Catholic union.

A Better Man
Lord Narcisse tells Queen Catherine that Nicole Touchet is turning into a proper lady, and she wants to be a courtesan. In return, she is guiding Charles for them, keeping him in line. However Leeza still wants Charles off the throne, and believes Henri is the man to keep France Catholic. And after agreeing to let her handle matters, Leeza went behind her back and she wrote to Henri directly, he is on his way to France now, fresh from his latest defeat of the Turks, aware that Spain wants him on the throne.

Lord Narcisse was trying to use Nicole Touchet to keep King Charles on the throne, and the country Catholic. However she was upset Narcisse didn't love her back and called off their arrangement. Narcisse apologized, claiming Nicole had come to mean something to him. But he'd had a wife who was killed, Lola, and being with her feel like a betrayal, he didn’t want to, but the truth was that he could not erase her from his mind.

Narcisse and Catherine met up and Lord Narcisse told her how he played Nicole Touchet masterfully. All it cost him was the desecration of Lola's memory.

Dead of Night
Nicole and Narcisse are continuing their liaison, while also maintaing their arrangement regarding King Charles.

The next day, while playing tennis, Henri throws a ball full of rocks at Charles, breaking his nose. He claims it was an accident, but Narcisse saw him do it on purpose. At a family dinner where he is supposed to apologise, Henri instead derides Charles, prompting Charles to attack Henri. The whole family has to separate them.

Narcisse approaches Henri outside and alarms him that he and Catherine will carry out their threat for how Henri behaved at the dinner table. Henri instead attempts to blackmail Narcisse into keeping quiet with knowledge on his and Nicole's illicit affair. It doesn't work.

It does, however, earn Narcisse's respect. So much so that he tells Catherine he believes Henri would make a better king than Charles. He is done fighting for Charles and warns Catherine that she doesn't have the power to save him either.

The Shakedown

Coup de Grace
There are on-going negotiations between England and France. Queen Catherine says not to give England the cargo from the ships. The cargo is saltpeter. The English transport it from North Africa to make gunpowder. Queen Leeza requested the English ship captured in France divert the saltpeter to Spain. Lord Narcisse is working with Spain to clean up the mess King Charles created with England. All they ask in return is the saltpeter to make ammunition.

Gideon Blackburn and Lord Narcisse meet again in England. Gideon stated, his Queen executed Lola, and he understand the bitterness, but not letting his grudge push their countries to war, Elizabeth had no choice, and she suffered from the loss of Lola too. Admitting he had lost his wife and daughter, Agatha.

Narcisse and Catherine are in bed together. Queen Catherine mentioned how after all they've been through, all they've lost, the two of them were still here, keeping the kingdom from falling apart. Together they really are a force to be reckoned with. But adds when she told him to get over the loss of Lola, she didn't mean for him to sleep with every woman in the castle.

Gideon and Narcisse prepared to say goodbye. Narcisse thought it'd be nice if both men would claim a victory. Gideon for his queen, and himself to ensure France remains independent from Spain. Gideon adds he's an exemplary statesman, setting aside his personal feelings for the good of his country. Lola would be proud.

A Bride. A Box. A Body.
Lord Narcisse has come to Scotland to avenge Lola by taking what John Knox holds most dear. However, Queen Mary doesn't grant him her consent, as Knox's followers would be quick to blame her if something happened to him, even after he reassures her that there would be now repercussions for her crown. But Mary does have a plan in motion to convict John Knox in a court of law.

After hearing that Mary has failed to convict Reverend Knox again, Narcisse takes matters into his own hands.

Very soon Knox finds himself bound on a wooden bed. He screames and makes threats and promises to Narcisse in an effort to get him to release him, but to no avail. Narcisse notes that Lola was just a pawn in his political schemes, her death a mere byproduct, but he loved her more than life itself. Narcisse teaches Knox that there are consequences for taking from a man what he holds most dear.

"Everyone will pay in their own way."
Lord Narcisse

Narcisse comes to Mary with a parting gift: John Knox's genitals. Mary falls back in shock and calls Narcisse a monster, but Narcisse doesn't see himself as such, only as a man who wanted revenge. He continues that everyone who played a part in Lola's death could feel his pain now, out of which Mary deduces that Narcisse was responsible for the poisoning of Gideon Blackburn. Because of that, Mary banishes Narcisse from court.

Blood in the Water
Narcisse is revealed to be working with Jane, Elizabeth's trusted maid. He breaks into her house and moves her family to France to up the stakes and give her an incentive to work harder. Elizabeth planning a naval attack to cripple the Archduke's finances is no longer enough for him.

Narcisse wants Jane to convince Elizabeth to order an assassination, as killing the archduke would risk retribution from Austria and Spain. Elizabeth ensures her own downfall, Narcisse and Jane walk away scotch-free and Jane retires comfortably to France.

All It Cost Her

All It Cost Her - Promotional Images 6

Lord Narcisse has returned to France and is now with Queen Catherine. She apprises him of the hell French court has turned into and the two plot to do away with Nicole. They turn to Emanuelle, one of the heretics rounded up by Queen Leeza, for help.

Claude is mourning the loss of both Leith and Luc when Henri runs past her, carrying Nicole. Claude, Catherine, and Narcisse all follow him to the throne room, where he lays her on the ground for Charles to see.

Thinking Henri killed Nicole, Charles threatens Henri and draws his sword, Henri doing the same in retaliation. Catherine jumps in between them and talks them out of blaming each other and into blaming Spain, having betrayed both Charles and Henri.

After chatting and drinking wine with Emanuelle, Narcisse and Catherine start losing themselves in the contents of the wine and act deliriously. Emanuelle pulls them into a makeout session that eventually leads them to bed. When Catherine realizes that Emanuelle is trying to get pregnant with Narcisse via a latin spell, she shoots Narcisse away and stabs Emanuelle several times. Emanuelle only laughs hysterically.

The last time Narcisse is seen is when he stands in a dim corner of a banquet that very night, still feeling the effects of whatever Emanuelle drugged him with.


Trivia

  • He and Louis of Condé are revealed to have a long history. Neither of them like the other. [1]
  • He was a friend of King Henry. [1]
  • Nostradamus saw Lord Narcisse's death in a prediction, stating that it would be painful. [2]
  • He was briefly engaged to Estelle. [3]
  • He was married four times before marrying Lady Lola. [3] [4]
  • He was mentioned in The Sex Journal‏‎. [5]
  • He has a Butterfly Birthmark on his wrist. [5]
  • He was the first to find out that King Francis committed regicide. [5]
    • Using that knowledge, Narcisse blackmailed Francis into signing an edict which penalized the practice of Protestantism. [6]
  • Following his role in the castle attack, he is stripped of his lands, titles, and freedom by the Crown. [7]
  • His lands stretched from Rouen all the way down to the coast before they were taken away. [8]
  • Queen Catherine harvested his horse Arion for steak. [8]
  • He married Lady Lola the same day he proposed to her. [4]
  • He has been promoted to Lord Chancellor by Queen Catherine. [9]
  • When his wife, Lady Lola, is beheaded by Queen Elizabeth for treason, Narcisse plans an elaborate revenge to make all parties responsible suffer in their own way.
    • John Knox, the man who sent Lola a message using Mary's code ordering her to kill Elizabeth, is castrated by Narcisse. [10]
    • Jane, Elizabeth's maid, joins forces with Narcisse and poisons Elizabeth's lover, Gideon Blackburn, on his behalf. This devastates Elizabeth. [10]

In History

  • Lord Stéphane Narcisse is entirely a fictional character, with no historical equivalent, and he is not an amalgamation of other noble figures.
    • Narcisse's actions, however, could be seen to be an exaggeration of the French nobility, as there were plenty of nobles at court who conducted affairs and oversaw intrigues from the shadows. [11]

Appearances

Season Two
The Plague Drawn and Quartered Coronation The Lamb and the Slaughter Blood for Blood Three Queens The Prince of the Blood Terror of the Faithful Acts of War Mercy Getaway
Banished Sins of the Past The End of Mourning Forbidden Tasting Revenge Tempting Fate Reversal of Fortune Abandoned Fugitive The Siege Burn
Season Three
Three Queens, Two Tigers Betrothed Extreme Measures The Price In a Clearing Fight or Flight The Hound and the Hare Our Undoing Wedlock
Bruises That Lie Succession No Way Out Strange Bedfellows To The Death Safe Passage Clans Intruders Spiders in a Jar
Season Four
With Friends Like These A Grain of Deception Leaps of Faith Playing With Fire Highland Games Love & Death Hanging Swords Uncharted Waters
Pulling Strings A Better Man Dead of Night The Shakedown Coup de Grace A Bride. A Box. A Body. Blood in the Water All It Cost Her

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