Series 1, ep 4: The Queen of Spain’s Beard
The Plot:
It is a time of wars and political upheaval, and the King decides to make an alliance between England and Spain by marrying Blackadder to the Spanish Infanta. Blackadder is keen to end his appalling run of luck with women, until he meets the Infanta: a short, plump, sexually voracious lady with a facial hair problem. His schemes to thwart the marriage all fail, until news comes of a new alliance between France and Switzerland. Politics now demand a match with the Hungarian princess – a charming girl. The only problem is that she’s eight years old.
Moment of pure evil:
Sending Baldrick into the Infanta’s bedchamber to pluck her cherry was an act of pure evil if ever there was one.
Brush up your Shakespeare:
Three messengers come to the King in quick succession with news of the war. He says, “I like not this news! Bring me some other news.” This is an echo of a scene in Richard the Third. After hearing bad news from a third messenger, Richard says, “There, take thou that till thou bring better news.”
This week’s most interesting fact:
The traditional Swiss method of killing enemies is apparently to cut off the head then pour melted cheese down the nostrils.
Quotes:
Blackadder: As my tutor, old bubble face, used to say: “make love and be merry, for tomorrow you may catch some disgusting skin disease.”
Blackadder: My God! In twenty four hours I’ll be married to a walrus!
Queen: Look at the two love birds!
Blackadder: One love bird and one love elephant.
Read the other episode guides:
Series 1:
1. The Foretelling
2. Born to Be King
3. The Archbishop
4. The Queen of Spain's Beard
5. Witchsmeller Pursuivant
6. The Black Seal
Series 2:
1. Bells
2. Head
3. Potato
4. Money
5. Beer
6. Chains
Series 3:
1. Dish and Dishonesty
2. Ink and Incapability
3. Nob and Nobility
4. Sense and Senility
5. Amy and Amiability
6. Dual and Duality
Series 4:
1. Captain Cook
2. Corporal Punishment
3. Major Star
4. Private Plane
5. General Hospital
6. Goodybyeee
These guides were brought to you by the BBCi Comedy website.
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