Black Adder

Black Adder is the generic name that encompasses four series of a BBC One historical sitcom, along with several one-off installments.

All episodes star Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson as antihero Edmund and his dogsbody, Baldrick respectively.

Although each series is set in a different era, all follow the fortunes of Edmund, who in each is a member of a British family dynasty present at many significant periods and places in British history.

Although the character is quite unintelligent in the first series, he is increasingly clever and perceptive in subsequent generations.

Each Blackadder though is a cynical, cowardly opportunist concerned with maintaining and increasing his own status and fortunes, regardless of his surroundings.

In each series, he is usually a cynical voice puncturing the pretensions and stupidity of those around him, and what might through modern eyes be seen as the more ludicrous and insane follies of history.

The lives of each of them are also entwined with their servants, all from the Baldrick family line.

Each generation acts as the dogsbody to their respective Lordship. They decrease in intelligence just as their masters' intellect increases.

Each Edmund and Baldrick are also saddled with the company of a dim-witted aristocrat whose presence Blackadder must somehow tolerate.

This role was taken in the first two series by Lord Percy Percy, in the third series by Prince George, Prince Regent, and in the fourth by Lieutenant George, the latter two played by Hugh Laurie.

Each series was set in a different period of British history, beginning in 1485 and ending in 1917 comprising six half-hour episodes.

The first series, made in 1983, was called The Black Adder (set in the fictional reign of 'Richard IV').

This was followed by series II in 1985 (set during the reign of Elizabeth I), series III in 1987 (set in the reign of George III), and finally series IV in 1989 (set in the trenches of the Great War).

Black Adder episodelist

0 Pilot
1 The Foretelling
2 Born to Be King
3 The Archbishop
4 The Queen of Spain's Beard
5 Witchsmeller Pursuivant
6 The Black Seal
7 Bells
8 Head
9 Potato
10 Money
11 Beer
12 Chains
13 Dish and Dishonesty
14 Ink and Incapability
15 Nob and Nobility
16 Sense and Senility
17 Amy and Amiability
18 Duel and Duality
19 A Christmas Carol
20 The Cavalier Years
21 Plan A: Captain Cook
22 Plan B: Corporal Punishment
23 Plan C: Major Star
24 Plan D: Private Plane
25 Plan E: General Hospital
26 Plan F: Goodbyeee
27 Back & Forth

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