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What Blackadder can teach Michael Gove about the past What Blackadder can teach Michael Gove about the past
(2 days later)
Michael Gove might be appalled at what he sees as Blackadder's deliberate misrepresentation of the first world war, but his scorn is misjudged. Although there are enough historical anomalies in Blackadder to warrant an entire Wikipedia page, the series still contained several important history lessons. Here are just a few things Blackadder can teach us about the past.Michael Gove might be appalled at what he sees as Blackadder's deliberate misrepresentation of the first world war, but his scorn is misjudged. Although there are enough historical anomalies in Blackadder to warrant an entire Wikipedia page, the series still contained several important history lessons. Here are just a few things Blackadder can teach us about the past.
WitchfindersWitchfinders
The episode Witchsmeller Pursuivant, from the first series, dealt with the medieval superstition of witch hunting. This trend was at its birth when the show was set, roughly coinciding with Pope Innocent VIII's Summis desiderantes affectibus, a letter that recognised the existence of witches and gave inquisitors express approval to hunt them.The episode Witchsmeller Pursuivant, from the first series, dealt with the medieval superstition of witch hunting. This trend was at its birth when the show was set, roughly coinciding with Pope Innocent VIII's Summis desiderantes affectibus, a letter that recognised the existence of witches and gave inquisitors express approval to hunt them.
BobBob
Bob (or Kate) appears in the Blackadder II episode Bells, as a young woman who disguises herself as a man, much to Blackadder's sexual confusion. This was a comment on Shakespeare's employment of boy players; adolescent men who performed female roles in plays. Famous boy players included Christopher Beeton and Theophilus Bird.Bob (or Kate) appears in the Blackadder II episode Bells, as a young woman who disguises herself as a man, much to Blackadder's sexual confusion. This was a comment on Shakespeare's employment of boy players; adolescent men who performed female roles in plays. Famous boy players included Christopher Beeton and Theophilus Bird.
Rotten boroughsRotten boroughs
In Dish and Dishonesty from Blackadder the Third, Blackadder plots to install Baldrick as the MP of rotten borough Dunny-on-the-Wold. Rotten boroughs were known for their tiny populations, which allowed undue influence in parliament. A real-life rotten borough was Old Sarum in Wiltshire, which contained seven voters.In Dish and Dishonesty from Blackadder the Third, Blackadder plots to install Baldrick as the MP of rotten borough Dunny-on-the-Wold. Rotten boroughs were known for their tiny populations, which allowed undue influence in parliament. A real-life rotten borough was Old Sarum in Wiltshire, which contained seven voters.
AnarchistsAnarchists
In Sense and Senility, another episiode from the third series, an anarchist played by Ben Elton tries to murder Prince George. At the time, William Godwin was developing his theories on modern anarchist thought, denouncing things like law and marriage. He did not, however, look anything like Ben Elton.In Sense and Senility, another episiode from the third series, an anarchist played by Ben Elton tries to murder Prince George. At the time, William Godwin was developing his theories on modern anarchist thought, denouncing things like law and marriage. He did not, however, look anything like Ben Elton.
Trench ratsTrench rats
In Blackadder Goes Forth, Baldrick offers Blackadder the choice between sauteed or fricasseed rat. Although it's hard to find accounts of anyone eating a rat in the first world war, trench rats were a persistent problem. Drawn to the trenches in their millions by the food waste and human corpses, rats on the western front were known to steal food from under soldiers' noses, and crawl across their faces as they slept. Worse still, shooting the rats was prohibited as a waste of ammunition.In Blackadder Goes Forth, Baldrick offers Blackadder the choice between sauteed or fricasseed rat. Although it's hard to find accounts of anyone eating a rat in the first world war, trench rats were a persistent problem. Drawn to the trenches in their millions by the food waste and human corpses, rats on the western front were known to steal food from under soldiers' noses, and crawl across their faces as they slept. Worse still, shooting the rats was prohibited as a waste of ammunition.
Going 'over the top'Going 'over the top'
The ending to Blackadder Goes Forth is one of the best in television history, as the characters slowly accept their fate, clamber over the top of their trench and race into a huge volley of machine-gun fire. It echoed the first day of the Somme, where 14,000 men died. The ending to Blackadder Goes Forth is one of the best in television history, as the characters slowly accept their fate, clamber over the top of their trench and race into a huge volley of machine-gun fire. It echoed the first day of the Somme, when 19,240 men died.
• This article was amended on 8 January 2014. The original said that 14,000 men died on the first day of the Somme. This has been corrected.
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