Witchsmeller Pursuivant
Prince Edmund is falsely accused of witchcraft.
"Witchsmeller Pursuivant" is the fifth episode of the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder. Set in late 15th-century England, it follows Prince Edmund as he is falsely accused of witchcraft by a travelling witch-hunter. The episode features a guest appearance by Academy Award-nominated actor Frank Finlay as the Witchsmeller.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Blackadder
- Writer
- Rowan Atkinson; Richard Curtis
- Air date
- 13 July 1983
- Guests
- Frank Finlay; Valentine Dyall
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In 1495, the Black Death ravages Europe, and King Richard IV of England falls ill, becoming more deranged and violent. With the king incapacitated, Harry, Prince of Wales, summons the privy council, whose members exchange tales of evil omens and declare the realm gripped by witchcraft. Edmund, Percy, and Baldrick go to a village to investigate but find the remains of a woman burned at the stake for witchcraft. The Witchsmeller watches Edmund from among the villagers as Edmund boasts of giving him "a boot up the backside. Back at the castle, the Witchsmeller challenges Edmund to a rigged test for witchcraft, then accuses him. At trial, Percy and Baldrick are appointed defence lawyers but are immediately condemned as witches. The Witchsmeller presents three pieces of evidence: Edmund's cat Bubbles, which he says drinks "bloody milk"; Edmund's horse Black Satin, which allegedly talks and later dies leaving a signed confession; and an accusation of sexual relations with an elderly peasant woman who supposedly gave birth to a poodle. Edmund, Percy, and Baldrick are found guilty and sentenced to burning. They escape the courtroom via an unseen plan by Baldrick, but unwittingly enter King Richard's chambers and must be rescued from the delusional king by guards.
Production
Several scenes were filmed on location at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the setting for King Richard's castle. Budget limitations meant only selected actors, including Frank Finlay, were filmed there. Production assistant Hilary Bevan-Jones forgot to pick up Finlay after a shoot, leaving him in the snow in full Witchsmeller costume until the make-up team found him and brought him back. Producer John Lloyd said the episode "felt more like a huge feature film than a BBC comedy" due to the large village set, costumes, make-up, animals, and pyrotechnic stunts. Tony Robinson noted that this episode firmly developed Baldrick's catchphrase "I have a cunning plan"; he inserted the word "cunning" into his line "I have a plan" during filming. Unlike previous episodes, the script contains no direct references to Shakespeare's plays. The title parodies the Vincent Price film Witchfinder General; a pursuivant is a junior officer of arms.
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