Edmund Blackadder
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Edmund Blackadder is the single name given to a collection of fictional characters who appear in the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder, each played by Rowan Atkinson. Although each series is set within a different period of British history, each character is part of the same familial dynasty and is usually called Edmund Blackadder. Each character also shares notable personality traits and characteristics throughout each incarnation, so whilst each individual incarnation may be found in different circumstances, they are usually considered to all intents and purposes to be the same character.
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[edit] Common characteristics
Although each Blackadder is positioned in a different place in British society over each series, there are certain common characteristics that each Blackadder shares. Throughout each series, Blackadder is a self-serving, cynical opportunist concerned solely with increasing his own influence and status within his society (and, usually, gaining a lot of money and sex along the way) rather than serving any idealistic goals. Each Blackadder is also something of a physical and moral coward, who is keen on keeping himself safe and prosperous no matter what it takes - which, given that he also usually finds himself involved in the more dangerous and life-threatening points of history, usually takes a lot of work.
Despite this, each Blackadder is generally a witty, charming and intelligent man (with the notable exception of the first, Prince Edmund "The Black Adder", who in addition to these points was also rather slimy, stupid and incompetent) who despite being beset by bad luck is usually very capable of manipulating his way out of a crisis and in securing for himself some degree of prestige and fortune. Blackadder is also usually one of the few intelligent people present at any given time, and usually is surrounded by incompetent and stupid servants, equals and superiors. As a result, he possesses a scathing wit and is usually prepared with numerous sarcastic put-downs.
Although he is frequently present at some of the defining moments of British history, Blackadder nevertheless usually views his contemporaries with unbridled contempt, regardless of their historical importance or interest. In particular, he possesses a tendency to comment sardonically on what might, to modern eyes, be considered the more ludicrous follies of history (from the injustice of the medieval witchhunts, to the petty whims and stupidities of various British monarchs, to the pointless butchery of World War I). As a result, he is something of a modern perspective placed in past societies (although it is questionable as to whether Blackadder would be any less bemused by and critical of modern society). He is also generally scathing of the contemporary arts and culture in the various eras in which he lives, such as medieval folk pageants including morris dancing, then-contemporary theatre such as Shakespeare, and Charlie Chaplin movies.
Each Blackadder is also surrounded by various other figures who reappear over the series. Most, such as his manservant Baldrick and the various imbecilic aristocrats whose company he is lumbered with (such as Lord Percy Percy or George) are usually hindrances to him whom he is repeatedly incapable of ridding himself of.
[edit] Main Blackadders
In this section, brief descriptions of the various Edmund Blackadders who have appeared in their own series or in another notable Blackadder production are provided.
[edit] Prince Edmund (Wars of the Roses)
See main article: Prince Edmund (Blackadder)
Prince Edmund is the first man in the dynasty to refer to himself as 'the Black Adder' (although in Blackadder: Back and Forth, a centurion in Roman Britain also possesses a similar name). He appears in the first series, The Black Adder, set shortly after The Wars of the Roses, and is the son of the fictional King Richard IV of England. He is a drastic departure from the character that his descendants would become, as he is rather stupid, slimy, incompetent and loathsome, and is generally despised by all. His primary concern is to seize the British throne and become king.
[edit] Lord Edmund Blackadder (Elizabethan England)
See main article: Lord Blackadder
Lord Edmund Blackadder is the next-seen member of the dynasty, appearing in Elizabethan England. He is the central character of Blackadder II, and is a nobleman in the court of Elizabeth I of England. Although his 'great-grandfather' was Prince Edmund, he is much more intelligent, charming and witty than his ancestor. His main concerns are pleasing his Queen, depicted here as a childish, spoilt and fickle over-grown school-girl, and in outwitting his various contemporary rivals for her favour.
[edit] Mr. Edmund Blackadder (Regency Britain)
See main article: Mr. E. Blackadder
Mr. Edmund Blackadder is the Blackadder appearing in the Regency period of British history. His family having fallen on hard times, he is reduced to a life of servitude, a fall made even more insufferable by his position as butler to the oafish and uncouth George, the Prince Regent. Despite this, he remains keenly intelligent, and is usually found stealing from his employer.
[edit] Ebenezer Blackadder (Victorian London)
See main article: Ebenezer Blackadder
Ebenezer Blackadder, the Victorian Blackadder, appears in Blackadder's Christmas Carol. Unlike his miserly, cynical ancestors, he is by repute the nicest man in Victorian England. Unfortunately, this only serves to make him a target for the cynical crooks and cheats he is surrounded by, and a Christmas Carol-like encounter with a Ghost of Christmas sees him greatly inspired by his snide-yet-triumphant ancestors.
[edit] Captain Edmund Blackadder (World War One)
See main article: Captain Blackadder
Captain Edmund Blackadder appears in Blackadder Goes Forth, and is an officer in the British Army during World War I. Characteristically reluctant to meet his end in the mud of the trenches of the Western Front, this Blackadder's sole goal is to escape his inevitable fate.
[edit] Lord Edmund Blackadder V (Modern)
See main article: Lord Edmund Blackadder V
Lord Edmund Blackadder is the modern representative of the Blackadder family. He intends to play a 2000 millennium-prank on his friends by claiming that he (or rather, Baldrick) has invented a time machine - only to be unpleasantly surprised when it transpires that the device that Baldrick has invented is actually a time machine.
[edit] Other Blackadders
Although not appearing within their own series or one-off special, various other Blackadders have appeared or been alluded to over the course of the series. Most prominently is Sir Edmund Blackadder, who appears in the Comic Relief special Blackadder: The Cavalier Years. Set after the English Civil War, Sir Edmund is (apparently) a loyal royalist and friend of Charles I of England.
Various one-off specials have introduced other Blackadders throughout history, from the Roman Centurion Blackadicus to a Grand Admiral Blackadder in the distant future who becomes ruler of the universe.
[edit] The Blackadder Dynasty
- Centurion Blackadicus - Roman Britain (Blackadder Back And Forth)
- Prince Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh, the Black Adder - Middle Ages (The Black Adder)
- Lord Edmund Blackadder - Elizabethan (Blackadder II)
- Blackadder (Shakespeare's agent) - Elizabethan
- Prince Edmund, Duke of York - 400 years ago (The Black Adder THE PILOT )
- Sir Edmund Blackadder - Stuart, English Civil War (Blackadder: The Cavalier Years)
- Lord Edmund Blackadder, Privy Cousellor - Stuart, 1680 (Blackadder And The King's Birthday )
- Edmund Blackadder, Esq - Regency (Blackadder the Third)
- Mr Ebenezer Blackadder - Victorian (Blackadder's Christmas Carol)
- Captain Edmund Blackadder - First World War (Blackadder Goes Forth)
- Lord Edmund Blackadder - 1999 (Blackadder Back And Forth)
- King Edmund III - 1999 (Blackadder Back And Forth) (alternate)
- Lord Edmund Blackadder, Captain In Her Royal Highness' Regiment of Shirkers - 2000 (Blackadder: The Army Years )
- Sir Osmond-Darling Blackadder, 'Keeper of the Lawn Sprinklers' - 2002 (BBC Golden Jubilee advert)
- Grand Admiral Blackadder of the Dark Segment - Distant Future (Blackadder's Christmas Carol)
