Witchsmeller Pursuivant

"Witchsmeller Pursuivant" is the fifth episode of The Black Adder, the first series of the BBC One sitcom Blackadder. In 1495, the Black Plague is ravaging Europe, and infects King Richard, rendering him more deranged than usual; when Edmund comes to visit, the King nearly stabs him to death. Harry summons the Privy Council, which includes Edmund and Percy. The Council agrees (over Edmund's objections) that the Plague is the result of witchcraft,... more

"Witchsmeller Pursuivant" is the fifth episode of The Black Adder, the first series of the BBC One sitcom Blackadder. In 1495, the Black Plague is ravaging Europe, and infects King Richard, rendering him more deranged than usual; when Edmund comes to visit, the King nearly stabs him to death. Harry summons the Privy Council, which includes Edmund and Percy. The Council agrees (over Edmund's objections) that the Plague is the result of witchcraft, and summons the Witchsmeller Pursuivant (Frank Finlay). The Pursuivant suggests a test to discover the witches in their midst: he will place a dagger and a crucifix on a table, and blindfold the suspect — if he chooses the crucifix, he is innocent, but if he chooses the dagger, he is guilty. When Edmund is selected as the first suspect, the Witchsmeller blindfolds him and switches the two objects around; Edmund accidentally chooses the dagger and is condemned as a witch. As a courtesy, Edmund is granted a trial. Percy and Baldrick are... less