The Black-Adder - The Complete Historic First Series

**The Black-Adder: The Complete Historic First Series** is a UK double video pack that was originally released by BBC Enterprises Ltd on 7th September 1992 and then, it got re-released by BBC Worldwide Ltd with a repackaged cover on 2nd November 1998.

## Description

Throughout the ages men of flair, faculty and outstanding courage have contributed to England's glorious heritage. Others like snivelling worm Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh (alias The Black Adder), the bitter and twisted son of medieval king, have emerged from the dust of dodgy documents to claim their wrongful position in history.

## Episode Synopsis

### Tape 1

* **THE FORETELLING**
With Peter Cook as Richard III.

From out of the swirling mists of the Dark Ages comes a lone horseman cursed from youth by a deformed haircut and sporting a particularly evil pair of tights.

* **BORN TO BE KING**

Teachery, murder and Morris-dancing break out in all their full horror when an orange-faced stranger arrives at court.

* **THE ARCHBISHOP**

The landscape is littered with dead Archbishops of Canterbury. Edmund's cunning plan is to get his deadliest rival appointed to the vacancy...

### Tape 2

* **THE QUEEN OF SPAIN'S BEARD**
With Miriam Margoyles as Princess Maria.

The King's international teachery gives the hideous Edmund a chance to press his clammy body against one of Europe's most eligible princesses.

* **WITCHSMELLER PURSUIVANT**

The King is a bit under the weather with the Black Death. Witchcraft is diagnosed by the Black Adder and only one man can root it out. Frank Finlay stars as the repulsive Witchsmeller.

* **THE BLACK SEAL**
With Rik Mayall as Mad Gerald.

In a final gesture of defiance Edmund rides forth to seek out the Seven Most Evil Men in the land and return them to their throne.

## Opening (Part One) (original 1992 release)

* BBC Video copyright warning (1988-1991)
* BBC Video Globe ident (1988-1991) (opening version)
* Starting prologue of the Foretelling (1983)
* The Black-Adder Opening Titles
* Start of The Foretelling (1983)

## Closing (Part One) (original 1992 release)

* End of The Archbishop (1983)
* The Black-Adder closing credits
* Post credit scene of The Archbishop (1983)
* Made in Glorious Television logo with 1983 copyright stamp
* BBC Video Globe ident (1988-1991) (closing version with 1990 copyright stamp)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1988-1991)

## Opening (Part Two) (original 1992 release)

* BBC Video Copyright Warning (1988-1991)
* BBC Video Globe Ident (1988-1991) (Opening Version)
* Prologue
* The Black-Adder opening titles
* Start of The Queen of Spain's Beard (1983)

## Opening (Part Two) (original 1992 release)

* End of The Black Seal (1983)
* The Black-Adder closing credits
* Final episode shot and 1983 copyright stamp
* BBC Video Globe ident (1988-1991) (closing version with 1990 copyright stamp)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1988-1991)

## Opening (Part One) (1994 re-release)

* BBC Video copyright warning (1991-1997)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1991-1997) (1991-1995 version)
* BBC Video 1991-1997 ident (opening version)
* Starting prologue of the Foretelling (1983)
* The Black-Adder opening titles
* Start of The Foretelling (1983)

## Closing (Part One) (1994 re-release)

* End of The Archbishop (1983)
* The Black-Adder closing credits
* Post credit scene of The Archbishop (1983)
* Made in Glorious Television logo with 1983 copyright stamp
* BBC Video 1991-1997 ident (closing version with 1990 copyright stamp)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1991-1997) (1991-1995 version)

## Opening (Part Two) (1994 re-release)

* BBC Video tracking control warning (1991-1997)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1991-1997) (1991-1995 version)
* BBC Video 1991-1997 ident (opening version)
* Cold opening of The Queen of Spain's Beard (1983)
* The Black-Adder opening titles
* Start of the Queen of Spain's Beard (1983)

## Closing (Part Two) (1994 re-release)

* End of The Black Seal (1983)
* The Black-Adder closing credits
* Final episode shot and 1983 copyright stamp
* BBC Video 1991-1997 ident (closing version with 1990 copyright stamp)
* BBC Video copyright warning (1991-1997) (1991-1995 version)

## Trivia

* There are two versions of this double video pack with both versions containing a different BBC Video Ident at the start and end of the videos.
	+ **1**: Version 1 is the original 1992 release, which contains the BBC Video 1988-1991 ident at the start and end of both videos and The Black Adder: The Complete Historic First Series would have it from when it was originally released as two single videos in 1990 until it was re-released with the BBC Video 1991-1997 ident in 1994, although, The Foretelling and The Queen of Spain's Beard were re-released on this double video pack in 1992, however, the 1992 re-release remains unchanged from the original 1990 release as it still contains the BBC Video 1988-1991 ident at the start and end of both videos.
	+ **2:** Version 2 is the 1994 re-release, which contains the BBC Video 1991-1997 ident at the start and end of both videos from this point onwards, including The Black Adder: The Complete Historic First Series which would get re-released with a repackaged cover in 1998, however, the 1998 re-release remains unchanged from The 1994 re-release as it still contains the BBC Video 1991-1997 ident at the start and end of both videos with the warning screen and the copyright notice on the closing version of the BBC Video 1991-1997 ident still containing a mention of BBC Enterprises.