Francis Harpole

Francis Harpole

Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch
Full Name	Francis Gaius Harpole
Title	Lord
Associated Noble House(s)	Duchy of Leicester
Date of Birth	February 9, 1777
Father	Edward Harpole (Deceased)
Father's Rank	Duke of Leicester
Mother	Mary Harpole (Deceased), nee Winthrop
Mother's Rank	Duchess
Town Residence	{{{residence}}}
Income	Substantial
School	Rugby (briefly)
University	None
Year Attained Title

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. Francis increased land holdings in Ireland and invested in Indian trade. After leaving his cousin to manage most of his business affairs and after much time begging, Francis's eldest brother and Duke of Leicester exerted his influence to secure him a position as aide 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.

London, 1808-Present

Francis's return brought a period of respite, filled with meeting with family and friends. He quickly adapted to London's political atmosphere and became astute in the matters of parliamentary happenings. By 1810, Francis was already well known in political circles, including lofty circles. Attached mainly to the Whigs, Francis had become something of a lobbyist among Whig friendly politicians. However, he took care to remain far from scandal. Francis had developed an information network and was quick to exert it to political means. In 1811, rumors began to develop of impending office for Francis. Most rumors were regarding an appointment to the Prussian court as ambassador. As of mid 1811, he has focused on finding a wife and exploring joining Parliament. He currently lives in London at No. 3 Marylebone Street. He would go on to purchase a large country estate- Ripley Hall near Ripley, Surrey.

Interests

Francis is a keen historian and voracious reader of history. He maintains a large library and is attempting to write a history of Parliament. Francis enjoys the ballet and symphony and is particularly fond of Beethoven. He is fond of dogs, fencing, and port. Francis is also fluent in German and has a command of simple Danish.

Relationships

Under construction

Friends

• George Hackett- Related through marriage, Francis and George have become quite good friends.
• George Maxfield- Distant cousin and close confidant. Maxfield manages many investments made by Francis
• Harun abd'Allah- As a former diplomat himself, Francis quickly became friends with the Moroccan ambassador.

Acquaintances

• Poppy Gardiner- Known through political circles
• Benedict DeLancey- Socially acquainted
• Lord and Lady Prestwood - Politically and social acquaintances
• Tony Dunford - Socially and political acquaintances
• Sophronia Grenfell- Socially acquainted
• Percival Middleton- Business acquaintance. Sometimes business rival
• Richard Fitzgerald I-Social and political acquaintance.
• Catherine McAvoy - Courted.
• Henry Layton

Business Acquaintances

Francis maintains relationships with most Whig MP's and a fair number of Tory MP's. He is also fairly well known to many in the diplomatic arena, though not universally. He also maintains relationships with several members of the House of Lords. Furthermore, Francis also is active in the shipping circles. This has led to relationships in many British ports and he has invested, in rather dubious ways, in India.