Francis Midford

Marchioness Francis PhantomhiveKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 151, page 3-Midford (フランシス・ミッドフォード, Furanshisu Middofōdo) is the wife of Alexis Leon Midford, mother of Edward and Elizabeth, sister of Vincent Phantomhive, and aunt of Ciel Phantomhive.
==Appearance==
Francis is a middle-aged woman who keeps her hair in a tight bun, save for a slightly curled cowlick at the front. She is reputed to have retained the beauty of her youth, and she is well-toned due to her intense physical training.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, page 12 Francis often wears ornate dresses with white gloves and a short beaded necklace.
==Personality==
Francis is a proud, austere individual who exhibits decorum and a candid critic of those who do not; she frequently upbraids others for their slovenly appearance or their unseemly behavior and may take it upon herself to correct said appearance or behavior. A fastidious person, she is attentive to detail and cleanliness, and she believes that a disorderly home environment will ultimately lead to moral decadence. She strictly observes rules, and she compels the observance of such in others. Additionally, she tends to arrive at destinations earlier than expected or planned.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, page 11
Moreover, Francis' prowess as a swordswoman is exceptional. She continues to train rigorously and with unflagging dedication even after marrying Alexis Leon Midford.
==History==
Francis first encountered Alexis Leon Midford when she defeated him in a fencing tournament held by Queen Victoria. She chided him for being weak, despite his position as England's lead knight. Francis eventually got married to Alexis and they had two children together: Edward and Elizabeth.
In March 1886, Francis attended Ciel's titling ceremony as the Earl of Phantomhive.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 63, page 26
==Plot==
===Red Butler Arc===
One month after Angelina Dalles' death, Francis and her daughter, Elizabeth, pay a visit to Phantomhive Manor. When she arrives, she is disappointed by Ciel and Sebastian's lackluster appearances, commenting that they should learn from Tanaka, and insists on an inspection.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 9-12
Although Sebastian had prepared everything for her visit, Baldroy, Mey-Rin, and Finnian accidentally destroyed all of it, which causes him to change his mind and propose many different destinations in the manor; in response, Francis reprimands him for being "indecisive."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 13-15 As a backup plan, he leads her out to the horse stables, where she challenges Ciel to a hunting competition so that she can determine his level of capability. Sebastian outlines the objective: kill the most animals in a twenty-five-kilometer range of the forest in three hours. They, then, set out.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 16-19
At the end of the competition, Francis and Ciel tie with fifteen animals each, and they agree that they cannot leave it at a draw. While eating lunch, a bear comes out of the forest and attacks Elizabeth, and Ciel hastily dives over to protect her. The bear is swiftly dealt with, and since Francis has her gun out, Ciel concedes that she killed the sixteenth animal; thus, she is the victor. Francis says it will take Ciel ten years to defeat her, yet she commends his bravery for shielding her daughter. She acknowledges his qualification of becoming her future son-in-law, and they decide to return to the manor.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 23-30
While on the way there, Francis addresses quietly to Sebastian, who is carrying the carcass of the bear. She returns the knife that he has "left behind" in the bear's head, and reveals that she was so flustered by her fear for Elizabeth's safety that her shot missed. She then questions why Sebastian did not allow Ciel to take glory for his killing of the bear, and Sebastian replies that because Ciel has a lot of ambitions, he must learn some humility. He adds that while Ciel is the head of a house, he is just a child; therefore, he thinks Francis would be a good, adult role model. Francis is impressed by his judicious character and remarks that he is the type that will never be taken advantage of.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 30-34
At the manor, the other servants have prepared a surprise party for Ciel, and Francis discloses that his thirteenth birthday is the real reason for their visit. She pats Ciel's head, wishes him a happy birthday, and then relies on the servants to take care of Elizabeth and Ciel in the future. Afterward, she thanks Sebastian for everything he has done, and reveals that she is aware of the smashed tea set, the ruined and bare garden, and the burnt dinner that he had earlier tried to conceal. Later, she, Ciel, Elizabeth, Finnian, and Tanaka admire the snow.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, pages 36-38Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, page 40
===Luxury Liner Arc===
Francis, Alexis, Edward, and Elizabeth plan to travel to New York on the luxury passenger ship Campania for three weeks from April 17, 1889. Alexis has Elizabeth invite Ciel on their family trip.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, page 15
On April 17, Francis, Alexis, Edward, and Elizabeth board the first-class passenger deck of the Campania, where they encounter Ciel and his servants, Sebastian and Snake. When Elizabeth hugs Ciel out of joy, Francis scolds her for displaying indecent behavior in public. When Alexis also hugs Ciel, Francis scolds him as well.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 52, pages 3-5 Afterward, Francis, her family, and Ciel eat together on the ship. Francis has Sebastian and Snake comb their hairs back.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 52, page 5
Three days later,Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 52, page 7 the Bizarre Doll invasion begins. At the elevator hall, Francis defends a few passengers from the Bizarre Dolls. She stabs one of the Bizarre Dolls in the chest, but it survives the blow, to her surprise. Sebastian arrives, killing the Bizarre Doll, and informs Francis that the only way to defeat the Bizarre Dolls is by smashing their heads. With that piece of information, Francis is able to eliminate a number of Bizarre Dolls, with Sebastian fighting alongside her. She, then, tells Sebastian that she will excuse his slovenly face and hairstyle, because of the advice he imparted.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 55, pages 18-20
In subsequence, Alexis and Edward rush in. When Edward asks Sebastian where Elizabeth is, Sebastian says that Elizabeth is with Ciel, to Francis' and Alexis' relief, for they are certain that Ciel will protect her at all costs. When Sebastian offers to escort them to some place safe, they refuse to go; Alexis declares that the Midfords have guarded England for generations and that, as knights, they would never abandon their people; Edward adds that, as English knights, they protect the weak. Both Alexis and Edward, then, turn to Francis for her approval, which she gives.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 55, pages 20-22
Francis, Alexis, and Edward prepare to fight the Bizarre Dolls, while Sebastian is about to leave.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 55, page 23 Suddenly, the ship violently shakes, shocking them. After running to the first-class deck, they discover that the ship has crashed into an iceberg and Sebastian dashes to the wheelhouse.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 56, pages 5-7
Later, Francis, Alexis, and Edward arrive at the first-class lounge; they encourage the passengers there to persevere and kill the hostile Bizarre Dolls, thereby saving the passengers.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 57, pages 5-7 Afterward, they head to the first-class deck, where Edward helps direct the passengers into lifeboats and Ciel returns Elizabeth to him.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 58, pages 26-30 The Midfords are in lifeboats,Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 65, pages 25-26 by the time the ship heavily tiltsKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 64, page 20 and breaks in two.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 65, page 3 A rescue ships comes at dawn, and the Midfords return to London.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 65, page 31
===Public School Arc===
Francis attends the pre-tournament festivities at Weston College with her husband and daughter.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 74, page 24 There, Francis expresses her distaste about Aleister Chamber's flashiness. Right afterward, she notices Sebastian across the room and swiftly catches him before he can flee. Though she inquires why he, an "indecent manservant," is there, she quickly realizes the reason for his presence herself: Ciel enrolled in Weston College to investigate a Watchdog matter.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 75, pages 9-10
After her family, Ciel, and McMillan join them, Alexis tells the story of the "Miracle of Sapphires," the first time Sapphire Owl dormitory won the annual cricket tournament. He was Green Lion's prefect's fag at the time. Their house lost to Sapphire Owl and their leader, Vincent Phantomhive. When Alexis is done, Francis does not comment on the story, only quietly hides behind a fan. Alexis then encourages Ciel to work hard and bring victory to his house once again.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 75, pages 10-27
The next day, Francis watches the cricket tournament with Alexis. While Alexis is ecstatic to see Green Lion triumph against Violet Wolf and hopes for a second "Miracle of Sapphires"Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 77, page 11 as Sapphire Owl won its match against Scarlet Fox,Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 76, page 36 Francis only hides herself behind a fan again. Like his father, Ciel indeed manages to lead Sapphire Owl to victory and achieve another "Miracle of Sapphires." However, although everyone else cheers and claps, Francis silently covers her face with a fan yet again.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 80, page 26
Later, Francis wipes away Alexis' tears as he starts crying upon seeing their nephew in his cox uniform for the victory parade.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 81, page 4 When Blue House's cricket team loses balance and falls into the river not long afterward, Francis is embarrassed.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 81, page 12
During the subsequent party, Francis dances with Tanaka.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 81, page 15
==Quotes==
* (To Ciel Phantomhive) "I drop in on you, and you're still a layabout. Not to mention your butler looks ever the degenerate! You are to marry my daughter. On this day of days, your reformation begins! We'll start with the manor! A disorderly home reflects a distracted mind!!"
* "It will be a good opportunity to see how good a man my daughter's fiancé is. Or is 'hunting' too demanding for Earl Phantomhive, who possesses a constitution more common to the fairer sex?"Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 14, page 17
==Trivia==
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General=
* Francis and Alexis are a very "lovey-dovey" couple."[In this illustration] Lizzy's mom is wearing two blankets. Actually, this couple is very lovey-dovey. [Frances] might be strong, but to Lizzy's dad, she's his dear lady. -Toboso"
* As Yana Toboso draws her characters with the typical image of "girls take after their father, boys after their mother" in her mind, Francis takes after her father in appearance.Yana Toboso on Twitter"The Phantomhive siblings, Vincent and Frances, share the same concept as the Midfords siblings, Edward and Lizzie, i.e. I draw them with the typical image of "girls take after their father, boys after their mother" in mind. So maybe Ciel's grandfather looks like Edward :)"
* Francis is not included in the Phantomhive family tree because it only shows Ciel's direct lineage, not because she is not related to Ciel; she and Vincent are full siblings.
===Etymology===
* "Francis" is the English form of the Late Latin name Franciscus which means "Frenchman."Behind the Name — Francis
* "Midford" comes from the place name Mitford in Northumberland and means "ford at the junction of two rivers." These two rivers are the River Font and the River Wansbeck.SurnameDB – Midford
===Out of Universe===
* According to the official Kuroshitsuji character popularity poll, Francis is the thirty-sixth most popular character in the series, with 13 votes.June 2015 Issue of Square Enix's GFantasy Magazine
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Anime=
* Her first "appearance" in the anime has been limited to a brief, relatively unclear snapshot of her in a photograph.Kuroshitsuji anime; Episode 12
** Her first true appearance in the anime is the movie, Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic, which is an adaptation of the Luxury Liner Arc.Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic
* The anime staff chose Francis' coloring for Book of the Atlantic in which she has grayish hair and lavender eyes. Yana Toboso vaguely envisioned Francis with blonde hair before, but has happily agreed with the anime staff's choice as they put her "cool image" and Phantomhive heritage into consideration.Yana Toboso on Twitter"The first coloured illustration of the Midfords and Rian!! I had actually thought Lizzie's mom, Frances, might be blond, but the anime staff who is in charge of colour settings coloured her hair in typically Phantomhiv-ish gray and when I saw it I was happy that they respected her cool image and her Phantomhive lineage, so I agreed on this colour!"
* In Kuroshitsuji: Public School Arc, Sebastian mistakenly calls Francis "Lady Scotney" in the official English subs and dub when he actually calls her "Marchioness" (侯爵夫人, Kōshaku Fujin) in Japanese.Kuroshitsuji anime; Episode 51
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Musicals=
* Francis is portrayed by Mio Akisono in Tango on the Campania.
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==References==
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