The Foretelling

Blackadder is one of the all time comedy greats. In Series 1, Episode 1 (The Foretelling) we meet Edmund (Rowan Atkinson), his brother Harry (Robert East), their father Richard, Duke of York (Brian Blessed) and mother Gertrude of Flanders (Elspet Gray). We also meet the current king and great uncle to Edmund, King Richard III (Peter Cook).

The basic premise of this first episode is that on the eve of the Battle of Bosworth, all is well with King Richard III and his extended family. Indeed, things are better than well until, having lost his horse in the battle, Richard III is cruelly cut down by his great nephew, Edmund. Of course, this is the self same Edmund, whose alarm-sundial didn't work, and therefore failed to play his part in the battle. The would be usurper of the throne, Henry Tudor is a beaten man, until one of Edmund's 'henchmen', Percy, Lord of Northumberland, decides to take him in and give him food and medicine.

Edmund is plagued by the ghost of his great Uncle in a masterful cameo by Peter Cook. Perhaps the best comedy one liner, 'Don't Dicky me, ducky', is delivered by the ghostly Cook as the new Richard IV and Prince Harry discuss their regret that Richard III isn't there to enjoy the celebration of their victory at Bosworth.

At the same time, the traitor Henry Tudor is escaping from the mortal peril in which he finds himself. Edmund, by now (self) titled The Black Adder, rushes after him, only to meet three witches gathered round a cauldron in a forest clearing. Obviously echoing Shakespeare from Macbeth (and King Lear - the witches have his daughter's names) the witches laud Edmund, calling him 'Ruler of men', 'Ravisher of women' and 'Slayer of kings'. Thus emboldened, he rushes off, only for the witches to remark amongst themselves 'He wasn't as I expected', 'I thought Henry Tudor would be better looking', 'More like that man who rode by just before'...