This is where is all begins; not only for the series, but also the entire legend that is 'Blackadder'.
It's the first battle of Edmund's post-pubescent years, and he has nearly missed it! But luckily for him, he makes it in time to have an impact on the outcome of the day; indeed an impact that will continue to haunt him. Furthermore, his self-perceived diabolical cunning leads him to new found nomenclature.
King Richard goes on a crusade against the Turks and leaves Harry as Regent, which Edmund strongly resents. After a year has passed, word arrives that the King will return for the Feast of St. Leonard, and it's up to Edmund to prepare the frolics; but Edmund plans something a little more cunning.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is at odds with the King; but then , as luck would have it, he meets with an accident! Now, he needs to be replaced by someone who is malleable and easily controlled. Rumour has it that the King is considering appointing his own son, but which one?
For the sake of diplomacy, the King must have a royal wedding between one of his sons and the Spanish Infanta. The trouble is that Henry is already engaged to seven princesses (and one prince); so they must rely on Edmund to marry her. Edmund is more than eager . . . that is, until he sees her!
The King has fallen ill and there is something evil in the air, perhaps witchcraft. At least, that is everyone but Blackadder's perception. A 'witchsmeller' is brought in to find and bring to justice the perpetrators using his own brand of methodology and logic.
After King Richard IV takes away Prince Edmund's title of Duke of Edinburgh, he recruits the six most evil men in the land to take the crown by force.
Blackadder's in love! Unfortunately for him, it's with a boy! As soon as a young 'man' comes looking for work in Blackadder's service, there's an instant – almost electric – connection between them; but soon, Blackadder feels the turmoil of confusion getting increasingly unbearable.
The Lord High Executioner has died, and now he must be replaced; all eyes, or especially Melchett's, turn to Lord Blackadder to fill the post. Soon, Blackadder wants to make some adjustments in order to free him up of time; the trouble is, however, he hasn't asked the Queen's permission!
Sir Walter Raleigh is back from a voyage and has brought with him tales, treasure, and most importantly glory. This all wins him the favour of the Queen, putting Blackadder's nose out of joint. In order to win back favour, he decides to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.
It's exactly one year ago to the day that Blackadder took out a loan from a bank that's motto is, 'Repayment or Revenge.' Unfortunately, Blackadder hasn't the money and has until the evening to come up with it . . . or else; if only he could come up with a cunning plan!
Blackadder finds himself in hot water when his boasting about his capacity to drink – compared to that of Melchett – is called into question, and challenged to be proven! Two problems: 1) Blackadder can’t drink; and 2) He’s expecting his fervently religious aunt and uncle, the Whiteadders, for dinner, in order to discuss his inheritance.
The 'master of disguise' has designs on killing the Queen and taking her place. In order to gain information, he captures Blackadder and Melchett, keeping them for ransom, and having his evil way with them. Can Blackadder come up with a cunning plan to save not only himself, but also the monarchy?
There is a crisis in the palace! There is a motion in parliament to strike Prince George from the Civil List, and if successful would bankrupt him. Blackadder uses his cunning to try to save the Prince as well as line his own pockets.
Prince George wants to prove to everyone that he's brilliant, and so he wants to patronise and befriend Dr. Samuel Johnson: the author of the most famous dictionary of the era. Blackadder is against the idea and tries to sabotage the affair; that is until he learns he could benefit from it!
It's 'all things French' for this episode of Blackadder as everyone is just crazy about the Scarlet Pimpernel! Everyone, that is, except Blackadder. When Blackadder is challenged to sneak an aristocrat out of Revolutionary France, he accepts; only, he plans to use his cunning more than his bravery to win the challenge.
With threats on the Prince's life a worrying reality, Blackadder decides to write a speech to show the masses how sensitive he is. Much to the chagrin of Blackadder, Prince George has a novel idea: have a couple of actors give him elocution lessons.
Prince George is broke, and it's time for Blackadder to fix him up with a rich bride. If that doesn't work, there's always Baldrick's plan of becoming a highwayman.
After the Prince sleeps with the Duke of Wellington's Daughter, The 'Iron' Duke challenges him to a duel. Unwilling to die, he employs Blackadder, who has a cunning plan, to secretly replace him in the duel. Blackadder, of course, has no intention of duelling.
A parody of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol, the story focusses on a kind and generous Blackadder who is visited by the Spirit of Christmas. Upon seeing how much better life would be for him and his descendants if he were a nasty, selfish person, he transforms into the Blackadder we know and love.
Captain Blackadder begins to suspect that they're about to go over the top of the trenches for a big push against the Germans. When General Melchett summons Blackadder, he's told about a position as an army artist; Blackadder sees it as a golden opportunity.
After neglecting a phone call and a telegram – both ordering the troops to advance on the enemy at once – a carrier pigeon is sent to their trench. Unknown to Blackadder it’s not just any pigeon, rather, it’s Speckled Jim: General Mechett’s hand-reared childhood pet. Believing it to be just a pigeon, Blackadder makes a meal of it. Thank God killing carrier pigeons isn’t a 'court-marshallable' offence . . . or is it?
Melchett has a plan to quash the wave of Bolshevism flooding Europe and the army: a concert party! Blackadder is at first repulsed by the idea; that is, until he hears that – if successful – it will be taken to the London Palladium, at which time, he's leaping at the opportunity to direct it.
Squadron Commander Lord Flasheart crash-lands into the trenches, and while waiting for a driver to pick him up, he mentions the Royal Flying Corps. The guys decide to join the '20 minuters' for a cushier lifestyle. Indeed, no one told them the truth behind the name!
After George is injured and sent to hospital, Blackadder is called upon by General Melchett and charged with the task of sniffing out a spy that has been traced to somewhere within the same hospital. Captain Darling is put in charge of covertly monitoring Blackadder's mission.
The call finally comes informing the troops that they are to go over the top the very next morning. Blackadder then makes a few last ditch efforts to get out of it. Meanwhile, he, Baldrick, and George start reminiscing about their past as their fate looms ahead.
Starting out at a dinner table on December 31, 1999, Blackadder attempts to defraud his cohorts of £10,000 each by having Baldrick build a fake time machine. Unfortunately, the time machine works and the pair end up face-to-face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Trying to get home, they stop off a number at a number of times, including the Battle of Waterloo and Roman Britain.