Blackadder. Mr. Edmund Blackadder, Esquire (Rowan Atkinson)
Blackadder

Blackadder

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1983 - 2000
  • 26 episodes (4 series)

The Blackadder dynasty has run through English history since time immemorial, seemingly always hampered by a Baldrick, and often a Percy and Melchett. Stars Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and more.

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The Black Adder, Episode 4 - The Queen Of Spain's Beard

Blackadder. Image shows left to right: Percy (Tim McInnerny), Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh (Rowan Atkinson), Don Speekingleesh, An Interpreter (Jim Broadbent), Infanta Maria Escalosa of Spain (Miriam Margolyes). Credit: BBC
In need of more land and alliances across Europe, the King arranges a speedy marriage between the Spanish Infanta, Maria, and Edmund. However, whilst she appears besotted with her betrothed, the Duke of Edinburgh is horrified and resolves to get out of the ceremony any way he can.

Further details

King Richard IV is in need of forging an alliance with Spain. In order to prevent war and draw the two countries together, the King declares that Edmund must marry a Spanish Princess.

Notes

This episode was originally shown out of order, as episode 2. However, as the series is chronological, this was noticeable and it was broadcast 4th in repeats, and issued as episode 4 on video and DVD since. We have reflected this intended 'correct' order rather than the initial broadcast.

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 22nd June 1983
Time
9:25pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
35 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 19th January 2012 10:40pm Gold
Friday 20th January 2012 6:40pm Gold
Saturday 18th February 2012 10:15am Gold
Sunday 18th March 2012 2:05am Gold
Sunday 18th March 2012 7:30am Gold
Saturday 2nd June 2012 8:35am Gold
Thursday 6th September 2012 11:40pm Gold
Thursday 25th April 2013 10:20pm Gold
Friday 26th April 2013 1:30am Gold
Friday 14th June 2013 12:00am Gold
Wednesday 16th October 2013 11:00pm Gold
Sunday 9th February 2014 12:10pm Gold
Saturday 29th March 2014 2:25am Gold
Friday 18th April 2014 11:20pm Gold
Saturday 19th April 2014 2:05am Gold
Wednesday 18th June 2014 11:15pm Gold
Thursday 19th June 2014 2:25am Gold
Thursday 30th October 2014 6:05pm Gold
Saturday 21st March 2015 10:15am Gold
Sunday 21st June 2015 7:00am Gold
Wednesday 6th January 2016 1:55pm Gold
Wednesday 6th January 2016 8:45pm Gold
Friday 30th September 2016 8:45pm Gold
Saturday 15th April 2017 9:00pm Yesterday
Sunday 16th April 2017 11:00am Yesterday
Saturday 27th May 2017 7:00pm Gold
Sunday 28th May 2017 11:10am Gold
Thursday 6th July 2017 12:20am Gold
Friday 21st July 2017 1:50am Gold
Thursday 12th October 2017 11:40pm Gold
Friday 13th October 2017 2:35am Gold
Sunday 14th January 2018 9:00pm Yesterday
Friday 23rd February 2018 12:05am Yesterday
Friday 23rd February 2018 9:45pm Yesterday
Tuesday 22nd May 2018 11:00pm Yesterday
Wednesday 23rd May 2018 9:00pm Yesterday
Tuesday 6th June 2023 9:40pm Gold
Wednesday 7th June 2023 12:40am Gold
Saturday 10th June 2023 10:30pm Gold
Sunday 11th June 2023 2:30am Gold
Monday 17th July 2023 8:35pm Gold
Monday 17th July 2023 11:40pm Gold
Thursday 11th January 2024 8:40pm Gold
Friday 12th January 2024 12:40am Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
Rowan Atkinson Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh
Tony Robinson Baldrick
Tim McInnerny Percy
Brian Blessed King Richard IV
Robert East Harry, Prince of Wales
Elspet Gray The Queen
Patrick Allen Narrator
Guest cast
Miriam Margolyes Infanta Maria Escalosa of Spain
Jim Broadbent Don Speekingleesh, An Interpreter
Jane Freeman Mrs. Applebottom
John Rapley Rev. Lloyd
Howard Lew Lewis Mr. Applebottom
Stephen Tate Lord Chiswick
Kenn Wells 1st Messenger
Richard Mitchley 2nd Messenger
David Nunn 3rd & 4th Messengers
Willoughby Goddard Archbishop
Natasha King Princess Leia of Hungary
Harriet Keevil Lady on Ramparts
Writing team
Richard Curtis Writer
Rowan Atkinson Writer
William Shakespeare Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Martin Shardlow Director
John Lloyd Producer
Mike Jackson Editor
Mykola Pawluk Editor
Chris Hull Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer
Nigel Curzon Production Designer

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