Ferdinand Archduke

Professor Ferdinand Archduke was a Knight of Jeneve and an Earth Literature lecturer at St Oscar's University.

Early life
Ferdinand Archduke had what seemed to be an old Earth accent, hinting at his origins, (PROSE: Oh No It Isn't!) and was a relatively lowly member of the Knights of Jeneve. He achieved a doctorate and specialised in Obscure Theatrical Forms so as to make it easier to get in contact with Irving Braxiatel per the Knights' wishes.

Archduke applied to join the Department of Theatrology, which was headed by Braxiatel, at St Oscar's University on Dellah. However, Braxiatel rejected his application, not being impressed by his work, (PROSE: Dragons' Wrath) and he instead came to work in the Department of Literature of the Milky Way, lecturing in Earth Literature. (PROSE: Oh No It Isn't!)

Work for the Knights
In 2593, Archduke fitted the module containing his thesis, English Pantomime: A Critical Study, with a homing device and gave it to Bernice Summerfield, who agreed to read it on her way to Perfecton after he claimed to have found and rescued Wolsey. The homing device attracted a missile which compromised the thesis and caused elements of pantomime to become reality for Benny and the others who went to the planet.

Archduke later spoke before the senate and feigned surprise at what had happened. He secretly summoned the thesis to him before it could be checked for a homing device. Benny had suspected his involvement, but wondered if the conspiracy was too big for one academic. (PROSE: Oh No It Isn't!)

When Braxiatel got in touch with the Knights of Jeneve, Archduke was empowered to meet with him and discuss the Gamalian Dragon. (PROSE: Dragons' Wrath)

Archduke was aware of Benny and Braxiatel's investigations but did nothing to try to stop them, which worried Benny. He visited Channel 8's holostudio and excised their prerecorded segment on the area of space around Ardethe for the Knights. (PROSE: Deadfall)

Appearance
Archduke had a face which was lined with experience and looked like that of a vicar or a comedian. His eyes, Benny thought, "danc[ed] with interest", making the person that he was talking to feel like the most important person in the world. He wore a cloak (PROSE: Oh No It Isn't!) and a broad-rimmed hat. (PROSE: Dragons' Wrath)

Behind the scenes

 * Whilst Archduke is mentioned in the audio adaptation of Oh No It Isn't!, he does not actually appear.
 * Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austrian throne whose assassination caused World War I.