Frances Gaunt

**Dr. Frances Gaunt** is a physician who assumes leadership of the Raven Society following Lord Harwoods forced removal by the UK government.

## History

Frances Gaunt was the lead physician Borton Wasset Cottage Hospital. She was an extremely conservative person who joined the Raven Society to oppose "bleeding-heart liberals" who she felt were destroying her country.

## Throughout *Pennyworth* Series

### Becoming the leader of the Raven Society

After Lord Harwood was brutally deposed by the UK government, many members of the Raven Society expressed their fear of a leaderless society. Amid these fears, Frances took the opportunity to rise through the ranks, assuming leadership of the society. Being tested when Alfred Pennyworth and Martha Kane went out to the countryside searching for her. She intended to kill them both, to show her strong leadership.

Gaunt's leadership is influential as the Raven Society increase their public presence. She meets with Julian and Undine Thwaite under the guise of peace, however the meeting is a set-up by Julian in an attempt to assassinate Gaunt and leave the Society in chaos. The meeting is cut short by Daveboy, who kills Gaunt's security before being shot by her. This plan is thwarted by Alfred Pennyworth who kills Julian, forcing Undine into leadership of the No Name League. Gaunt meets with Undine not long after to establish a level of peace between the Society and No Name League.

### Resignation

When Lord Harwood returns, Gaunt is ecstatic, believing him to be the only worthy leader of the Society. She wishes to put Harwood in the public eye immediately, however Harwood opts to stay in the shadows for a little longer, advising Gaunt on her leadership of the Society.

When Harwood is ready to reveal himself to the public, Gaunt organises a rally and, in *Sandie Shaw* she announces her retirement from her position of leadership. She announces that Harwood will succeed her, returning to his original position. The audience is rejoiced at this notion, while Gaunt steps back into the shadows but remains as Harwood's closest advisor. She does not approve, when Harwood bring The Duke of Windermere and The Duchess of Windermere back home to England.

She advises Harwood over the threat of Undine Thwaite but also does not agree with his plan to abduct the Queen and blackmail the government. Does try to keep the unity between Harwood and General Malcolm. She is later arrested along with Harwood, Bet and Peggy for her crimes and involvement. Locked up with them in the Tower of London.

### Raven Union

**Frances Gaunt** escapes captivity in the tower of London. Working at Raven Union headquarters alongside Lord Harwood taking over much of the nation. Feeling for the people of Liverpool and Manchester and London. Wishing they would surrender already.

Lord James Harwood and Frances Gaunt welcome Colonel Salt back in *The Burning Bridge*, who updates them on the latest Project Stormcloud tests. Salt said that he assumed she knew.  Frances was not informed of the weapon and Salt updated her of the facts on reaction time and postmortem presentation. Being displeased she sends him off. Frances thinks the chemical weapons experiment is wrong, as she spoke truthfully asking Jimmy not to go through with it, and Harwood promises to put a stop to it.

Lord Harwood had a strategy meeting with the military. *The Hunted Fox* explains the updates on taking Manchester. General Nelson Thursday explained that they had been wasting their troops and resoursing in the north with Manchester. If London were to fall all of the north would after.  Frances Gaunt agrees with him and asks how London can fall, and then Lieutenant Greaves brought the map over. Mrs. Gaunt still wanted to keep London intact and win the war. Colonel Salt attempts to suggest Stormcloud again. That upsets Frances as she raised her voice to him. Then Lord Harwood wants to hear from him, she raised her voice to Jimmy too. Feeling distress when the argument she can tells starts hurting his health.

Frances and Jimmy later were just talking, she thought she brought him good news about London. Aziz is new prime minister. He could only remember the man from back when being arrested.  Frances took his pulse and a once over. Reminding him to take care of his health. He brought back up stormcloud, telling her old girl it is only a last resort but Frances still felt that evil is evil. She also started to worry for his mind.

Leaving Lord Harwood office, Salt came to bother her. Being up Lord Harwood's metal state, which she told him was treason. Salt next hinting at that Mrs. Gaunt could set up a talk with the new prime minister. Tricking her into putting her self into something that Lord Harwood would not approve.

Some reservations from Mrs. Gaunt, Colonel Salt now presents to a room full of high-ups the lethal capabilities of his biological weapon, which Harwood hopes to use to kill his enemies without destroying London. Project Stormcloud is given the green light. While it looks like the Raven Union is getting ready to finally win the war, Unbeknownst to them, there is a spy in their midst by the name of Lucius Fox who is gathering information that could help turn the tide and save everyone Harwood intends to harm.  The Raven Union is determined to win the war nonetheless.

In *The Bleeding Heart* Frances Gaunt is seen walking with Martha. Frances tells Martha that she often though about her often since they first met so strangely.

Not trusting where she was taking her to. They walked inside of LA DELICE DU DIABLE and found the new prime minister Aziz waiting there. As Aziz addresses her as Doctor Gaunt, she addressed him as Prime minister.  Aziz thanks Martha for setting this up, that she is a treasure. Frances agrees that ever since meeting Martha she was special.

Aziz stated this was one of his favorite restaurants, the 2 sat down. She was glad to sit down with the league for some time. Prime Minister Archbishop Potter was too much of a zealot.  Both agree they are reasonable people.  Frances said they can talk of a cease fire and negotiated surrender, on honorable terms. Frances asks what terms would be? Aziz told her he has not consider the notion. She states, he does not know the seriousness of the situation, if they knew, they be begging. They have shown great restraint. Not even used their weapon. Aziz answers, knowing about Project Stormcloud. Trying to test if she knew about the weapon. She said, if he knew, he would be happy to surrender.  God help you if Project Stormcloud is ever deploy, god help all of us.

Bring up her meeting with the new Prime Minister of the English League, that detail was the last straw for Lord Harwood, who already was being tricking to having growing doubts about his friend, because of Salt. Mrs. Gaunt found her self being arrested and removed from power.

### Imprisoned

Having been taken away. Many in the Raven Union knew it all must be a mistake. One days, Lieutenant Greaves even approached Salt on her behalf. Thinking that he was helping Mrs. Gaunt.

Bet Sykes and Peggy Sykes hoped to get revenge for Lord Harwood on Salt and go abduct Vikki Dufrench. It is Katie Browning who talks her out of it. A better plan is put into place. To use her to get into HQ and save Dr. Frances Gaunt.

Bet and Peggy head to the prison wing to Frances' confusion. Give Frances a kerchief to wear out of her cell. Also deliver Lord James Harwood last message, but arguing over the wording. That convinces her to escape with them and their hostage. However, before they can leave, the presence of several Raven Union soldiers forces them to hide in another room. Alfred, Thomas, Lucius and Dave Boy are locked in cells feel as if they have failed, and that no one will come and save them. Unexpectedly, the Sykes sisters with Frances Gaunt and Vikki Dufrench came into the room. Bet recognizes Alfred fondly and hands Thomas the keys. When Gaunt learns that they are on a mission to steal the “Project Stormcloud”, she insists that they help, and they all end up on the same side temporarily.

The 4 women then went up to the penthouse to finish their revenge. Salt came, he almost tricked Bet into the red button and unleashing stormcloud. When General Nelson Thursday stormed in it was over, and Mrs. Gaunt took the kerchief off her hair and took back her position in the Ravens.

### the New Raven Alliance

General Thursday and Dr. Gaunt deposed a wounded Salt and reform the Raven Union into the New Raven Alliance.

6 months later, the Raven forces breach the city of London. Two people on a couch Paula and Keith show the news footage. Mrs. Gaunt with General Thursday appear together on the Television screen. As the New Raven Alliance troops breach the siege line.

### a Doctor again

Working from the ledger, they found Mrs. Gaunt in *Rhyme 'N' Reason*. Going back to her practice and retired to be a doctor again. Bet and baby Julie waiting like a patient. Mrs. G, as Bet calls her looks stunned, but send her current nurse Mai Lin away. Asking after how each other are. Mrs. Gaunt admits, she thought Bet might be dead by now. Mrs. Gaunt mentions how all the former Ravens being murdered, and connects, that was Bet. Bet argues, not murder, she was putting them down. Mrs. Gaunt asks how each was tracked down? How Bet tracked her down? Getting the answer! Seeing the ledger and Julie was her baby. Mrs. Gaunt agrees baby Julie is sweet, is concerned. Bet jumps over that. Feeling they had business to discuss, of John Salt. Mrs. Gaunt admits she can't tell, clarifies won't tell Bet where. Bet states, she will shoot Mrs. Gaunt, but Gaunt know Bet is not a monster. Only misguided. So they sit down to tea. Also realized Bet is not had much sleep. Bet admits it baby Julie. Bet asks again for her self and for Julie where Salt is. Mrs. Gaunt explains he is not worth the trouble or the danger. Bet saved her life, in dispassionate way, she loves her, don't want to see her get hurt. Bet can not be stopped, because Mrs. Gaunt has a soft spot for Bet or Julie. Then Mrs. Gaunt suggests a compromise. Julie stays with Mrs. Gaunt in return Bet gets Salt's location. Mrs. Gaunt states you can't take her around when killing people. This would give her a good and safe home. Bet won't, but can't even say the word. Mrs. Gaunt answers because Bet loves baby Julie. Bet could be her new mother. A future better then hate and vengeance. Bet is still crazy. Saying she loves Julie she also states that she is stubborn and will not give her up, or the likes of anyone tell her right from wrong. Bet leaves with Julie, pushing her carriage. Mrs. Gaunt goes after them with a paper with the address. Having the handwriting of a doctor. Bet could not read it, made her write it over. Mrs. Gaunt asks to let this be the last one. Then, no more bloodshed. Bet tells Julie, job is on.

Julie and Bet are grabbed by the end of *Rhyme 'N' Reason* and have been taken to the Raven High Council in Exile in *Hedgehunter*. There, Salt confronts Bet, about how she found him. Made to confesses, it was **Frances Gaunt**. Salt answers that he should have taken care of that old bag years ago. That is what mercy gets you.

## Appearances

Season 1
* *Lady Penelope*
* *Shirley Bassey*
* *Cilla Black*
* *Julie Christie*
* *Sandie Shaw*
* *Alma Cogan*
* *Marianne Faithfull*

Season 2
* *The Heavy Crown* (Movie Reel Footage)
* *The Burning Bridge*
* *The Belt and Welt*
* *The Hunted Fox*
* *The Bleeding Heart*
* *The Rose and Thorn* (Mentioned)
* *The Bloody Mary* (Mentioned)
* *Paradise Lost*
* *The Lion and Lamb*

Season 3
* *Rhyme 'N' Reason*
* *Hedgehunter* (mentioned)

## Trivia

The Gaunt and Greaves family are from the same parts of the nation. The families history go back approximately 500 years. A cousin of Mrs. Gaunt is married to Lieutenant Greaves' sister.