History Recap / BlackadderS1E1TheForetelling

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While the episode reveals that Richard III did in fact not murder his nephews Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, it doesn't reveal what ''did'' happen to Edward. Granted, Edward was ruled to be an illegitimate son, thereby making him ineligible to become King, but that would have also prevented Richard from being crowned as well -- though in fairness, this version of Richard would probably have just killed anyone who objected to his being in the line of succession.

As the Duke is crowned King Richard IV, Edmund is displeased to learn that Percy has brought Henry, the one man who knows the truth, to the castle, but after hearing that he may reward them for helping him, his ego receives such a boost that on the spot he declares he'll be taking on a new title ... the Black Vegetable! Luckily, Baldrick suggests that the Black Adder would be a better choice, and he soon picks out an all-black outfit to fit his new image.

* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Once Richard III realizes no one else can see him and he can't expose Edmund as his killer, his ghost departs to the afterlife, with a few annoyed parting words. He later returns, briefly, to cause the fog which leads to the witches confusing Edmund with Henry Tudor.

* MilesGloriosus: After the battle, Blackadder claims to have killed nearly all of the Lancastrian nobles. Including some who'd been killed by other people, like his brother. Fortunately, Harry's too much of a ditz to spot the incongruity.

* AlternateHistory: Richard III was actually a good and kind man who won the battle of Bosworth Field but died in the process, with his nephew becoming King Richard IV. After he died, Henry Tudor seized power and rewrote history to claim that ''he'd'' won at Bosworth Field.

* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Once Richard III realizes no one else can see him and he can't expose Edmund as his killer, his ghost departs to the afterlife, with a few annoyed parting words.

'''Queen:''' You hesitated, Edmund -- it's not a sheep, is it?

** St. Ralph the Liar is mentioned as one of the greatest liars in history who are still outdone by Henry VII. Later in the same episode, it turns out that the battle takes place on Ralph the Liar's Day.

* EarlyBirdCameo: The Bishop of Bath and Wells is mentioned...no sign of him being a baby-eater yet. Though considering this is set during the life of Lord Blackadder's great-grandfather it would likely be a different Bishop.

* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Richard III ''actually wins'' the Battle of Bosworth Field. Then Edmund gets involved...

* OhCrap: In the post-credits sequence, the three witches realise that they mistook Edmund for Henry Tudor, and have thus told the wrong man that he will one day be King of England [[note]] technically, Edmund ''does'' get to become King, but only for about thirty seconds before he drinks the poisoned wine that's just killed everyone else[[/note]].

--> '''Edmund:''' Then I shall call you Baldrick, Baldrick.
--> '''Baldrick:''' Then I shall call you my lord, my lord.

The story of the Black Adder begins with the Battle of Bosworth Field in the year 1485. King Richard III, actually a kind man who lavished love on his two nephews, fights alongside his nephew Richard, Duke of York and the Duke's son Harry. And then there's his other son Edmund, who, after obtaining the aid of the street smart peasant Baldrick and the dimwitted Lord Percy Percy, turns up late to the battle after oversleeping and then decides to abstain anyway after getting a look at the carnage. He then kills a man who appears to be stealing his horse, only to find it was actually the victorious King Richard. As he, Baldrick, and Percy dispose of the body, they come across the defeated Henry Tudor who claims that all is lost, but they don't recognize him. Edmund returns to the castle and accidentally blabs about King Richard's death, but fortunately for him the others assume that Henry Tudor was his assailant. As the Duke is crowned King Richard IV, Edmund is displeased to learn that Baldrick and Percy brought Henry, the one man who knows the truth, to the castle, but after hearing that he may reward them for helping him, his ego receives such a boost that on the spot he declares he'll be taking on a new title ... the Black Vegetable! Luckily, Baldrick suggests that the Black Adder would be a better choice, and he soon picks out an all-black outfit to fit his new image. At dinner that night, a portrait of Henry is brought out to be desecrated, and upon seeing it Edmund finally realizes who he's got in his bedroom. He races away to find that Henry has already escaped, and the vengeful ghost of Richard III conjures up a fog that foils Edmund's pursuit. But it's not a total loss, as he rides into a wood and encounters three strange old women who declare that one day he will be King. He heads back to the castle, gleefully anticipating his destiny ... while back in the wood, the women realize that Henry Tudor, the man they'd meant to tell their prophecy to, was actually the man who passed them just before Edmund.

----

* {{Headscratchers}}: Given that Scotland was a separate kingdom in 1485, how come Edmund gets the title Duke of ''Edinburgh''? In the pilot, he was the Duke of York, which makes more sense.

* OhCrap: In the post-credits sequence, the three witches realise that they mistook Edmund for Henry Tudor.

* AlternateHistory: Or Tudor fiction.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While the episode reveals that Richard III did in fact not kill Edward V or Richard, Duke of York, it doesn't reveal what ''did'' happen to Edward. Granted, Edward was ruled to be an illegitimate son, thereby making him ineligible to become King, but that would have also prevented Richard from being crowned as well -- though in fairness, this version of Richard would probably have just killed anyone who objected to his taking the throne.

The story of the Black Adder begins with the Battle of Bosworth Field in the year 1485. King Richard III, actually a kind man who lavished love on his two nephews, fights alongside his nephew Richard, Duke of York and the Duke's son Harry. And then there's his other son Edmund, who, after obtaining the aid of the street smart peasant Baldrick and the dimwitted Lord Percy Percy, oversleeps on the day of the battle and then decides to abstain anyway upon getting a look at the carnage. He then kills a man who appeared to be stealing his horse, only to find it was actually the victorious King Richard. As he, Baldrick, and Percy dispose of the body, they come across the defeated Henry Tudor, but don't recognize him. Edmund returns to the castle and accidentally blabs about King Richard's death, but fortunately for him the others assume that Henry Tudor was his assailant. As the Duke is crowned King Richard IV, Edmund is displeased to learn that Baldrick and Percy brought Henry, the one man who knows the truth, to the castle, but after hearing that he may reward them for helping him, his ego receives such a boost that on the spot he declares he'll be taking on a new title...The Black Vegetable! Luckily, Baldrick suggests The Black Adder would be a better choice, and he soon picks out an all-black outfit to fit his new image. At dinner that night, a portrait of Henry is brought out to be desecrated, and upon seeing it Edmund finally realizes who he's got in his bedroom. He races away to find that Henry has already escaped, and the vengeful ghost of Richard III conjures up a fog that foils Edmund's pursuit. But it's not a total loss, as he runs into three strange old women who declare that one day he will be king. He heads back to the castle, gleefully anticipating his destiny...and the women realize Henry Tudor was actually the man who passed them just before Edmund.

* AmbiguousSyntax: Richard IV asks Prince Edmund, "Fight you with us on the morrow?" Blackadder hastily replies that he'll be fighting with the enemy. Cue awkward pause.
* ArentYouGoingToRavishMe: Edmund's mother, upon hearing that Henry Tudor has won the battle of Bosworth resigns herself to being ravished by the conquering troops. When it turns out that Henry lost and the "enemy forces" Edmund is panicking over is his father returning she says wearily to her husband "So I suppose you are going ravish me?" to which he replies "In a moment dear, in a moment. The woman's insatiable..."
* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Once Richard realizes no one else can see him and he can't expose Edmund as his killer, his ghost departs to the afterlife, with a few annoyed parting words.

'''Richard III:''' You're not putting him anywhere near me, are you?

* OffWithHisHead: King Richard got mistaken as a Tudor wanting to steal Edmund's horse. HilarityEnsues.

* TitleDrop: {{Parodied}} when Edmund decides to take the name of The Black... Vegetable! Fortunately Baldrick suggests a better title for the series [=/=] his Lord.

-->'''Blackadder''': And which nobleman pray...?
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While the episode reveals that Richard III did in fact not kill Edward V or Richard, Duke of York, it doesn't reveal what ''did'' happen to Edward. Granted, Edward was ruled an illegitimate son, thereby making him ineligible to become King, but that would have also prevented Richard from being crowned as well -- though in fairness, this version of Richard would probably have just killed anyone who objected to his taking the throne.
* WrittenByTheWinners: What Henry VII does to Richard IV's Reign once he gains the throne.

The story of The Black Adder begins with the Battle of Bosworth Field. King Richard III, actually a kind man who lavished love on his two nephews, fights alongside his nephew Richard, Duke of York and the Duke's son Harry. And then there's his other son Edmund, who, after obtaining the aid of the street smart peasant Baldrick and the dimwitted Lord Percy Percy, oversleeps on the day of the battle and then decides to abstain anyway upon getting a look at the carnage. He then kills a man who appeared to be stealing his horse, only to find it was actually the victorious King Richard. As he, Baldrick, and Percy dispose of the body, they come across the defeated Henry Tudor, but don't recognize him. Edmund returns to the castle and accidentally blabs about King Richard's death, but fortunately for him the others assume that Henry Tudor was his assailant. As the Duke is crowned King Richard IV, Edmund is displeased to learn that Baldrick and Percy brought Henry, the one man who knows the truth, to the castle, but after hearing that he may reward them for helping him, his ego receives such a boost that on the spot he declares he'll be taking on a new title...The Black Vegetable! Luckily, Baldrick suggests The Black Adder would be a better choice, and he soon picks out an all-black outfit to fit his new image. At dinner that night, a portrait of Henry is brought out to be desecrated, and upon seeing it Edmund finally realizes who he's got in his bedroom. He races away to find that Henry has already escaped, and the vengeful ghost of Richard III conjures up a fog that foils Edmund's pursuit. But it's not a total loss, as he runs into three strange old women who declare that one day he will be king. He heads back to the castle, gleefully anticipating his destiny...and the women realize Henry Tudor was actually the man who passed them just before Edmund.

* BestialityIsDepraved: Edmund's attempt to hide the fact that both Henry Tudor and the ghost of Richard III are in his bedroom -- not knowing that he's the only person who can see the latter -- results in a (somewhat) unfortunate misunderstanding with the Queen.

'''Edmund:''' Er... ''(King Richard's ghost's head flies around the room)'' er, yes, yes it is.\\

** Before the battle, Edmund murmurs that if Richard's side loses, he (as an aristocrat) will be mutilated, with his private parts likely ending up hanging from a tree "somewhere in Rutland" [[note]] England's smallest county, which actually borders Leicestershire, the county in which the Battle of Bosworth Field was fought[[/note]]. As part of Richard III's pre-battle speech, he tells his troops that if they kill any aristocrats from the other side, they should "consign their parts most private to a Rutland tree!"

* MilesGloriosus: After the battle, Blackadder claims to have killed nearly all of the Lancaster nobles. Including some who'd been killed by other people, like his brother. Fortunately, Harry's too much of a ditz to spot the incongruity.

** Before the battle, Edmund murmurs that if Richard's side loses, his private parts will wind up in a tree "somewhere in Rutland". As part of Richard's speech, he tells his troops that if they kill any aristocrats from the other side, they should "consign their parts most private to a Rutland tree!"

-->''"History has known many great liars. [[UsefulNotes/NikolausCopernicus Copernicus]], Goebbels, St. Ralph the Liar. But there have been none quite so vile as the Tudor King [[UsefulNotes/HenryTudor Henry VII]]. It was he who rewrote history to portray his predecessor, [[UsefulNotes/RichardIII Richard III]], as a deformed maniac who killed his nephews in the Tower. But the real truth is that Richard was a kind and thoughtful man who cherished his young wards, in particular Richard, Duke of York, who grew into a big, strong boy. Henry also claimed he won the Battle of Bosworth Field and killed Richard III. Again, the truth is very different; for it was Richard, Duke of York, who became king after Bosworth Field, and reigned for thirteen glorious years. As for who really killed Richard III and how the defeated Henry Tudor escaped with his life, all is revealed in this, the first chapter of a history never before told: the history of... the Black Adder!"''

** Before the battle, Edmund murmurs that if Richard's side loses, his private parts will wind up in a tree "somewhere in Rutland". As part of Richard's speech, he tells his troops "consign their parts most private to a Rutland tree!"

-->'''King:''' You're, er, not putting him anywhere near me, are you?

* DeadpanSnarker: Richard sums up his experience at the Battle of Bosworth Field thusly:
--> "Someone cut my head off at one point, but apart from that it all went rather well."

* FamousFamousFictional: "History has known many great liars. Copernicus, Goebbels, St. Ralph the Liar.
* HeroWithBadPublicity: Sort of. Henry VII rewrites history to portray Richard III as being a tyrant who murdered Edward V and the young boy who would become Richard IV, when in fact he loved his relations (except Edmund). Having said that, the series doesn't reveal what ''did'' happen to Edward V. Richard might know more than he says...

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Edmund killing king Richard, and Percy rescuing king Henry.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Richard leads his men in the Battle of Bosworth Field, and actually ''wins''. Then Edmund gets involved...

* ShoutOutToShakespeare: So often that the Bard is credited with "additional dialogue." Speeches from ''Theatre/RichardIII'' and ''Theatre/HenryV'' are parodied, Percy gets an AlasPoorYorick moment with Richard III's head, Harry says [[GoodnightSweetPrince "good night, sweet king"]], the three witches from ''Theatre/{{Macbeth}}'' show up ... you get the idea.

* ShoutOutToShakespeare: So often that the bard is credited with "additional dialogue." Speeches from Richard III and Henry V are parodied, Percy gets an AlasPoorYorick moment with Richard III's head, Harry says [[GoodnightSweetPrince "Good night, sweet king," ]] the three witches from Theatre/{{Macbeth}} show up...you get the idea.

* WeHaveReserves: Richard III is very accepting of the term and the use of ''arrow fodder'' during the battle of Bosworth Field. Keep in mind that he says that about his nephew, whom he has just met and that is his EstablishingCharacterMoment!

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: While the episode reveals that Richard III did in fact not kill Edward V or Richard, Duke of York, it doesn't reveal what ''did'' happen to Edward. Granted, Edward was ruled an illegitimate son, thereby making him ineligible to become King, but that would have also prevented Richard from being crowned as well -- though in fairness, Richard would probably have just killed anyone who objected to his taking the throne.

-->''"History has known many great liars. [[UsefulNotes/NikolausCopernicus Copernicus]], Goebbels, St. Ralph the Liar. But there have been none quite so vile as the Tudor King [[UsefulNotes/HenryVII Henry VII]]. It was he who rewrote history to portray his predecessor, [[UsefulNotes/RichardIII Richard III]], as a deformed maniac who killed his nephews in the Tower. But the real truth is that Richard was a kind and thoughtful man who cherished his young wards, in particular Richard, Duke of York, who grew into a big, strong boy. Henry also claimed he won the Battle of Bosworth Field and killed Richard III. Again, the truth is very different; for it was Richard, Duke of York, who became king after Bosworth Field, and reigned for thirteen glorious years. As for who really killed Richard III and how the defeated Henry Tudor escaped with his life, all is revealed in this, the first chapter of a history never before told: the history of... the Black Adder!"''

* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistance: Once Richard realizes no one else can see him and he can't expose Edmund as his killer, his ghost departs to the afterlife, with a few annoyed parting words.

* FamousFamousFictional: "history has known many great liars. Copernicus, Goebbels, St. Ralph the Liar.

* TitleDrop: Subverted.

-->'''Edmund:''' Well...I wouldn't know, really...I was nowhere near him at the time...I just heard from someone that he'd, uh...uh...I mean, I don't even know ''where'' he was killed...I was completely on the opposite side of the field...I was nowhere near the cottage...not that there was a cottage...it was the river...but then I wouldn't know, of course, because I wasn't there...but, apparently, some fool cut his head off!...or, at least, killed him in some way...perhaps...took an ear off, or something...yes, in fact, I think he was only wounded...uh...or was that somebody else?...yes, I think it was...why, he wasn't even wounded!...why, did someone say he was dead?* TitleDrop: Subverted.

* EarlyBirdCameo: the Bishop of Bath and Wells is mentioned...no sign of him being a baby-eater yet. Though considering this is set during the life of Lord Blackadder's great-grandfather it would likely be a different Bishop.

* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: When Edmund is asked how does he know King Richard is dead, he says: "Errr, well, I wouldn't know, really. I was...nowhere near him at the time. I... I just...heard from someone that he'd, er... er... I mean, I don't even know where he was killed. I was completely on the opposite side of the field. I was nowhere near the cottage. Not that it was a cottage - it was a river. But, then, I wouldn't know, of course, because I wasn't there."
* TitleDrop: Subverted.