Francis Harpole
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| Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch | |
| Full Name | {{{fullname}}} |
|---|---|
| Title | Lord |
| Associated Noble House(s) | Duchy of Leicester |
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1777 |
| Father | Edward Harpole, Duke of Leicester (Deceased) |
| Father's Rank | {{{fatherrank}}} |
| Mother | Duchess Mary Harpole (Deceased) |
| Mother's Rank | {{{motherrank}}} |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Income | Varying. |
| School | Home tutored |
| University | None |
| Year Attained Title | N/A |
Lord Francis Harpole is the youngest son of Edward Harpole, Duke of Leicester and brother to the current Duke of Leicester. He is a former Army Captain of the 14th Light Dragoons. Following Army service, he became a keen investor and has amassed an amount of independent wealth. Francis Harpole is also an ambitious member of the political world, serving as part of the diplomatic mission to the Imperial Habsburg court in Vienna until 1808 and as a strong supporter of the Whigs in Parliament.
Family
Edward Harpole, Duke of Leicester (deceased) - father
Mary Harpole, Duchess of Leicester (deceased) - mother
Lawrence Harpole, Duke of Leicester - brother
Lord Admiral Edward Harpole- brother
George Maxfield- Distant cousin
Background
Childhood, Army, and Business ventures
Francis Harpole was born February 9, 1777 on the family estate near Groby. At 5, for unknown reasons, Francis's parents sent him to live with family in Yorkshire until age 8. Upon his return, Francis entered a heavy tutoring by the local vicar and a German missionary along with monthly lessons from the Bishop of Leicester. Francis enjoyed a comfortable childhood and had a generally happy relationship with his family.
Around age 15, Francis and his eldest brother, Lawrence, had a falling out over their diverging personalities and rarely spoke for several years. Like many younger sons, Francis was eager to improve his position in life. In 1794, Francis became an Ensign in the 48th Regiment of Foot and eventually obtained his position of Lieutenant. Growing tired of his role in the regiment and even more tired of the infantry, Francis purchased a Captaincy in the 14th Light Dragoons in 1800. However, unbeknownst to Francis, his older brother Edward used connections to have Francis assigned as a aide de camp at Horse Guards. Francis found himself supervising pompous Lieutenants and facing snobbish Generals, Francis resigned his commission in 1802. Knowing he must open new avenues, he used what money he had as well as money borrowed from family to invest in several business ventures. Among these, shipping insurance was most lucrative. Francis also invested in land in Wales and Ireland. After amassing a weighty sum, Francis invested in Danish shipping which proved to be almost ruinous. Francis was forced to sell his land holdings in Wales. Sensing his business was stable, Francis called on his Yorkshire cousin George Maxfield to manage his affairs briefly. After much time begging, Francis's eldest brother and Duke of Leicester exerted his influence to secure him a position as aid to the British Ambassador to Austria.
Vienna 1804-1808
Francis arrived in Vienna in September of 1804. Impressed by the Austrian leadership, Francis became friends with several Austrians as court as well as the Prussian Ambassador. Francis found his work to be profoundly fascinating and began to long for his own political position in Britain. Chased from Vienna in 1805, Francis found refuge in Hungary. Returning from Pecs, Francis began to fall into grand life in Vienna. Overwhelmed by society's demands for fashion, Francis was determined to never fall into it upon his return to Britain. In late 1806, Francis fought his only duel, killing a professional gambler. The duel would haunt Francis for several years. By 1807, Francis began an affair with ballet dancer Helen Bohm which would last until his departure in the following year. Francis became restless as his relationship with the British ambassador himself became strained. Francis believed that the ambassador's private actions were endangering influence at the Habsburg court. By March 1808, Francis left Vienna and traveled to Malta where he spent a month in reflection and taking in historic ruins. Francis returned to England, buying a modest home at 3 Mansfield Street in London.