110-698: Melchett may refer to: In fiction [ edit ] Lord Melchett , a character in the TV series Blackadder II General Melchett , a character in the TV series Blackadder Goes Forth Terence Melchett, a character in the Agatha Christie novel The Body in the Library People [ edit ] Violet Mond, Baroness Melchett (1867–1945), British humanitarian and activist Sonia Melchett (born 1928), socialite and author Baron Melchett ,
220-652: A Scottish laird , which may have resulted in Edmund's birth. She often gives Edmund unwanted advice and embarrasses him. Her character's name is never spoken in dialogue in Blackadder , but appears in the credits. She is also a skilled practitioner of witchcraft , which she uses to help Edmund escape execution. But she, along with her royal family, is killed in the series' finale, after drinking wine poisoned by Lord Percy. Nursie ( Patsy Byrne ), real name "Bernard", appears in all six episodes of Blackadder II and two of
330-501: A bandit, as his raids, expansion and threats to destabilise British authority suddenly increased in 1800. The death of Tipu Sultan had created a power vacuum and Waugh was seeking to fill it. Given independent command of a combined East India Company and British Army force, Wellesley ventured north to confront Waugh in June 1800, with an army of 8,000 infantry and cavalry, having learnt that Waugh's forces numbered over 50,000, although
440-513: A breach was opened in the main walls of the fortress of Seringapatam. An attack led by Major-General Baird secured the fortress. Wellesley secured the rear of the advance, posting guards at the breach and then stationed his regiment at the main palace. After hearing news of the death of the Tipu Sultan, Wellesley was the first at the scene to confirm his death, checking his pulse. Over the coming day, Wellesley grew increasingly concerned over
550-564: A considerable time, first with severe diarrhoea from the water and then with fever, followed by a serious skin infection caused by trichophyton . Wellesley was in charge of raising an Anglo-Indian expeditionary force in Trincomali in early 1801 for the capture of Batavia and Mauritius from the French. However, on the eve of its departure, orders arrived from England that it was to be sent to Egypt to co-operate with Sir Ralph Abercromby in
660-634: A dungeon, and sends a message to Queenie, giving her a week to decide whom she will save by paying the ransom. However, when the message arrives, Ludwig reveals that Queenie has in fact decided to keep the money and hold a big party instead, much to Blackadder's shock and Ludwig's disappointment. Blackadder and Melchett soon play ball, agreeing to give Ludwig information on how to infiltrate Richmond Palace and kill Queenie. Ludwig therefore changes their original death sentences to life imprisonment. After he departs, Blackadder and Melchett soon work together to outwit his guards, travelling back to England just in time for
770-714: A few weeks later set sail for Calcutta with his regiment. Arriving in Calcutta in February 1797 he spent 5 months there, before being sent in August to a brief expedition to the Philippines , where he established a list of new hygiene precautions for his men to deal with the unfamiliar climate. Returning in November to India , he learnt that his elder brother Richard , now known as Lord Mornington, had been appointed as
880-527: A fuel industry award See also [ edit ] Lord Melchett (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Melchett . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melchett&oldid=906577765 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
990-523: A highwayman, the Shadow ; and in the episode " General Hospital " of the fourth series, she plays Nurse Mary Fletcher-Brown who enjoys a fling with Blackadder, before being accused of being a German spy. Prince Ludwig the Indestructible ( Hugh Laurie ) appears in " Chains ", the final episode of Blackadder II , as the main antagonist and the final villain of the entire "Blackadder II" series. He
1100-645: A known figure after his victories at the Nile and Copenhagen, who was briefly in England after months pursuing the French Toulon fleet to the West Indies and back. Some 30 years later, Wellington recalled a conversation that Nelson began with him which Wellesley found "almost all on his side in a style so vain and silly as to surprise and almost disgust me". Nelson left the room to inquire who the young general
1210-565: A military career in earnest. He became a major by purchase in the 33rd Regiment in 1793. A few months later, in September, his brother lent him more money and with it he purchased a lieutenant-colonelcy in the 33rd. In 1793, the Duke of York was sent to Flanders in command of the British contingent of an allied force destined for the invasion of France. In June 1794, Wellesley with
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#17327907984841320-651: A more comedic alternative; the series makes use of a recurring joke where his name is used or referred to for comedic effect. In the series, Captain Darling is seen wearing the following ribbons: Although Darling only features as a main character for one series of the original Blackadder run, several of his ancestors and descendants are also portrayed by McInnerny, in keeping with the series' ongoing motif of identical descendants. The Blackadder feature-length special Blackadder: Back & Forth (1999) introduced descendant character Archdeacon Darling, on better terms with
1430-446: A more cynical approach – which is why she prefers Edmund Blackadder to Lord Melchett. Like Blackadder and the rest of her court, Queenie is later murdered at the hands of the evil Prince Ludwig the Indestructible, ( Hugh Laurie ), a German master of disguise who presumably after stealing her identity goes on to kill the remaining members of the court including Blackadder and Melchett before going on to rule England as Queen off-screen during
1540-506: A retreat, so Wellesley decided to launch an attack immediately. On 23 September, Wellesley led his forces over a ford in the river Kaitna and the Battle of Assaye commenced. After crossing the ford the infantry was reorganised into several lines and advanced against the Maratha infantry. Wellesley ordered his cavalry to exploit the flank of the Maratha army just near the village. During
1650-609: A reward for his service in India he was made a Knight of the Bath in September. While in India, Wellesley had amassed a fortune of £42,000 (considerable at the time, equivalent to £4 million in 2023), consisting mainly of prize money from his campaign. When his brother's term as Governor-General of India ended in March 1805, the brothers returned together to England on HMS Howe . Wellesley, coincidentally, stopped on his voyage at
1760-517: A supporting role in Blackadder the Third . In Blackadder II , Mrs Miggins is referred to as a pie shop owner, but never appears . In the third series , Mrs Miggins plays a major role and appears in all episodes. She now owns a coffee shop that Blackadder visits regularly. In the final episode, she runs off with Blackadder's Scottish cousin, MacAdder. Mrs Miggins is also briefly referenced in
1870-566: A title in the peerage of the United Kingdom Alfred Moritz Mond, 1st Baron Melchett , a British industrialist, politician and political campaigner Henry Mond, 2nd Baron Melchett (1898–1949), British industrialist and politician Julian Mond, 3rd Baron Melchett (1925–1973), British industrialist Peter Mond, 4th Baron Melchett (aka Peter Melchett, 1948–2018), British politician and environmental activist Other [ edit ] Melchett Medal ,
1980-591: Is a German master of disguise who kidnaps Lord Blackadder and Lord Melchett in 1566 and imprisons them in his dungeon under the watch of two German guards who carried out the abduction and a Spanish inquisitorial co-conspirator . He had previously befriended Blackadder, Melchett and Queenie while disguised as other individuals, including Big Sally (a waitress at a pub in Dover), Fluffy (a sheep) and an unnamed stable boy. In his childhood his mother forced him to wear shorts at school. He also had dirty hair and spots. He
2090-513: Is a pseudonym used by two characters, both female, both pretending to be male and both played by Gabrielle Glaister . Lord Flashheart ( Rik Mayall ) is the name of two characters. The first Lord Flashheart appeared in a scene of the first episode of the second series of Blackadder . His descendant, Squadron Commander the Lord Flashheart , appeared as a major character in the fourth series in an episode called " Private Plane ". In
2200-603: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages General Melchett This article lists the characters in the four series and three special episodes of the British sitcom Blackadder . Blackadder was notable for featuring actors playing many repeating characters across different eras of history, with Rowan Atkinson as the central character Edmund Blackadder , and Tony Robinson as his sidekick Baldrick , together with numerous other actors in one-off parts. Baldrick
2310-494: Is exemplary; he ultimately participated in some 60 battles during the course of his military career, and although not undefeated, he "never lost" a major engagement. Wellington is famous for his adaptive defensive style of warfare, resulting in several victories against numerically superior forces while minimising his own losses. He is regarded as one of the greatest commanders in the modern era , and many of his tactics and battle plans are still studied in military academies around
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#17327907984842420-437: Is killed by Prince Ludwig the Indestructible ( Hugh Laurie ) along with the entire main cast. In Blackadder's Christmas Carol , a vision of the future depicts her as the silliest of Queen Asphyxia XIX's triple husbandoid. Byrne later said that she was sometimes asked – in reference to a scene in the final episode of Blackadder II – whether she kept the cow costume in her wardrobe. She did not. The real life basis for Nursie
2530-480: Is the name given to a pair of related characters. The Lord Percy of Blackadder II is the descendant of that seen in The Black Adder . The character derives his name from the real Percy family . Unlike the first two Blackadders and Baldricks , the two Lord Percys are almost identical; both are portrayed as dim-witted, gullible and foppish. In the first series, Percy is Duke of Northumberland , while in
2640-570: Is the name of several characters throughout the series. Each one serves as Blackadder's servant and sidekick and acts as a foil to the lead character. Baldrick is the only character besides Blackadder himself to appear in all installments of the series, and can arguably be seen as Blackadder's best friend despite Blackadder's apparent contempt for him. Melchett ( Stephen Fry ) is a family line. There were two main Melchetts: Lord Melchett and General Melchett . Melchett shared
2750-582: Is very loosely based on the historical figure Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York , one of the Princes in the Tower who disappeared in 1483 (as the real-life Richard would have been approximately twelve if still alive in 1485). In the alternate chronology of The Black Adder , King Richard III of England (played by Peter Cook ) is introduced as being a "kind and thoughtful man" who cherishes his nephews (the two princes ) placed into his care, in contrast to
2860-696: The Just William books of Richmal Crompton . In Blackadder's Christmas Carol , Richardson appears as Queenie and the future Queen Asphyxia. In Blackadder: Back & Forth , she appears as present day Lady Elizabeth and Queenie. Queenie's immature behaviour is expressed in her desire to "get squiffy and seduce nobles " (and extort extravagant presents from them on pain of death). A naughty schoolgirl at heart, Queenie loves to party, play games and get drunk. If anyone fails to laugh at her jokes, they risk execution, but, to her followers' bemusement and frustration, she sometimes tires of their toadying and welcomes
2970-633: The Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellesley was born into a Protestant Ascendancy family in Ireland . He was commissioned as an ensign in the British Army in 1787, serving in Ireland as aide-de-camp to two successive lords lieutenant of Ireland . He was also elected as a member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons . Rising to the rank of colonel by 1796, Wellesley saw service in
3080-524: The Blackadder story world was in the pilot episode which was shot in 1982 but not broadcast until 2023. In this episode, which is set sometime during the Elizabethan Era , Harry's character is one of two sons of the King and Queen of England. Although monarchs are not explicitly named, Harry may be intended as a fictional offspring of Queen Elizabeth I . This version of the character was played by
3190-568: The Blackadder specials; Blackadder's Christmas Carol and Blackadder: Back & Forth . Once Queenie 's childhood nurse , by the time of her appearances in Blackadder II , Nursie is either senile or otherwise irreversibly stupid, but remains at court at the side of the Queen for unknown reasons (possibly being kept-on as a lady's companion , though her continued presence at "Queenie's" side reinforces her portrayal as 'childish'), as
3300-502: The Duke of Rutland (then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ) to consider Arthur for a commission in the Army. Soon afterward, on 7 March 1787, he was gazetted ensign in the 73rd Regiment of Foot . In October, with the assistance of his brother, he was assigned as aide-de-camp , on ten shillings a day (twice his pay as an ensign), to the new Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Buckingham . He
3410-555: The East India Company having pursued and destroyed his forces once already, forcing him into retreat in August 1799, he raised a sizeable force composed of disbanded Mysore soldiers, captured small outposts and forts in Mysore, and was receiving the support of several Maratha killedars opposed to British occupation. This drew the attention of the British administration, who were beginning to recognise him as more than just
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3520-540: The Merrion Hotel . His mother, Anne, Countess of Mornington, recalled in 1815 that he had been born at 6 Merrion Street . His family's home at Dangan Castle , Dangan near Summerhill , County Meath has also been purported to have been his birthplace. In his obituary, published in The Times in 1852, it was reported that Dangan was unanimously believed to have been the place of his birth, though suggested it
3630-721: The Peninsular War . These included a strong sense of discipline through drill and order, the use of diplomacy to gain allies, and the vital necessity of a secure supply line. He also established high regard for the acquisition of intelligence through scouts and spies. His personal tastes also developed, including dressing himself in white trousers, a dark tunic, with Hessian boots and black cocked hat (that later became synonymous as his style). Wellesley had grown tired of his time in India, remarking "I have served as long in India as any man ought who can serve anywhere else". In June 1804 he applied for permission to return home and as
3740-519: The Wars of the Roses . Richard is crowned King Richard IV of England after Richard III is accidentally killed by Edmund, and though he by far favours Harry over Edmund, he gradually comes to appreciate Edmund as a loyal son, and is genuinely saddened by Edmund's imminent death in the final episode (unaware that Edmund had tried and failed to overthrow him). As he drinks a toast to his dying son's honour, he and
3850-488: The World War I flying ace ), slanted to emphasise the negative qualities associated with such characters such as narcissism , sexism and promiscuity . His catchphrases are "Woof!" and "Let's do-oo-ooooo it!", while suggestively thrusting his pelvis. He commonly uses sexual innuendo in ordinary conversation, for example, "Am I pleased to see you, or did I just put a canoe in my pocket ?" Rik Mayall later recalled, "I
3960-470: The rotten borough of Trim to speak against the granting of the title " Freeman " of Dublin to the parliamentary leader of the Irish Patriot Party , Henry Grattan . Succeeding, he was later nominated and duly elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Trim in the Irish House of Commons . Because of the limited suffrage at the time, he sat in a parliament where at least two-thirds of
4070-558: The 33rd regiment set sail from Cork bound for Ostend as part of an expedition bringing reinforcements for the army in Flanders. They arrived too late to participate, and joined the Duke of York as he was pulling back towards the Netherlands. On 15 September 1794, at the Battle of Boxtel , east of Breda , Wellington, in temporary command of his brigade, had his first experience of battle. During General Abercromby's withdrawal in
4180-548: The 33rd sailed to join them in August. After extensive and careful logistic preparation (which would become one of Wellesley's main attributes) the 33rd left with the main force in December and travelled across 250 miles (402 km) of jungle from Madras to Mysore. On account of his brother, during the journey, Wellesley was given an additional command, that of chief advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad 's army (sent to accompany
4290-578: The Blackadder II series finale episode, "Chains". Richardson appears in later series as characters not explicitly stated as being descendants of Elizabeth I, who had no known offspring (but may share common ancestors with her). In the fifth episode of Blackadder the Third , she plays Amy Hardwood, the seemingly-delicate wealthy industrialist's daughter, whom the Prince Regent courts to get out of serious debt with her dowry, later revealed as
4400-463: The British advance. On 10 September, at the Battle of Conaghul , Wellesley personally led a charge of 1,400 British dragoons and Indian cavalry, in single line with no reserve, against Dhoondiah and his remaining 5,000 cavalry. Dhoondiah was killed during the clash; his body was discovered and taken to the British camp tied to a cannon. With this victory, Wellesley's campaign was concluded, and British authority had been restored. Wellesley then paid for
4510-400: The British force). This position was to cause friction among many of the senior officers (some of whom were senior to Wellesley). Much of this friction was put to rest after the Battle of Mallavelly , some 20 miles (32 km) from Seringapatam, in which Harris' army attacked a large part of the sultan's army. During the battle, Wellesley led his men, in a line of battle of two ranks, against
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4620-535: The Forces until his death . Wellesley was born into an aristocratic Anglo-Irish family, belonging to the Protestant Ascendancy , beginning life as The Hon. Arthur Wesley. Wellesley was born the son of Anne, Countess of Mornington , and Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington . His father was himself the son of Richard Wesley, 1st Baron Mornington , and had a short career in politics representing
4730-555: The French Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers , where he progressed significantly, becoming a good horseman and learning French, which later proved very useful. Upon returning to England later the same year, he astonished his mother with his improvement. Despite his new promise, Wellesley had yet to find a job and his family was still short of money, so upon the advice of his mother, his brother Richard asked his friend
4840-669: The Low Countries and India , where he fought in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War at the Siege of Seringapatam . He was appointed governor of Seringapatam and Mysore in 1799 and, as a newly appointed major-general , won a decisive victory over the Maratha Confederacy at the Battle of Assaye in 1803. Rising to prominence as a general officer during the Peninsular War , Wellesley was promoted to
4950-605: The Midlands, Lord Po-Maker-In-Ordinary, and Harbinger of the Doomed Rat. A member of the House of York , Harry is the first son of King Richard IV of England ( Brian Blessed ) and Queen consort Gertrude of Flanders ( Elspet Gray ) and great-nephew of Richard III ( Peter Cook ). He has a younger brother (possibly his half-brother), Prince Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh ( Rowan Atkinson ). The first portrayal of Prince Harry in
5060-417: The Queen repeatedly treats Nursie with contempt. Nursie frequently embarrasses both the Queen and herself by openly recounting tales of the Queen's childhood, prompting Queenie's standard reply of "Shut up, Nursie." She is also known for her complete non sequiturs in conversation. Lord Blackadder describes her as "a sad, insane old woman with an udder fixation." In the series' finale episode, "Chains", she
5170-424: The actor Robert Bathurst . Prince Harry made his first televised appearance (played by Robert East) in episode 1 of The Black Adder , entitled " The Foretelling ", in which the events of the first series are set up by rewriting a period of English history and telling the story of a fictional ruling monarch who succeeds Richard III after the Battle of Bosworth Field . Mrs Miggins ( Helen Atkinson-Wood ) plays
5280-531: The affair affected Wellesley. He resolved "never to attack an enemy who is preparing and strongly posted, and whose posts have not been reconnoitred by daylight". Lewin Bentham Bowring gives this alternative account: One of these groves, called the Sultanpet Tope, was intersected by deep ditches, watered from a channel running in an easterly direction about a mile from the fort. General Baird
5390-508: The audience. He also notes that Melchett's "Baaah!" can be found (although in a more subtle form) in his other acting work such as Peter's Friends . In April 2020, Fry reprised his role as a descendant of Lord Melchett for The Big Night In , a telethon held during the COVID-19 pandemic , in a skit which he held a video call with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge , who made a surprise appearance. Lord Percy Percy ( Tim McInnerny )
5500-457: The battle Wellesley himself came under fire; two of his horses were shot from under him and he had to mount a third. At a crucial moment, Wellesley regrouped his forces and ordered Colonel Maxwell (later killed in the attack) to attack the eastern end of the Maratha position while Wellesley himself directed a renewed infantry attack against the centre. An officer in the attack wrote of the importance of Wellesley's personal leadership: "The General
5610-420: The common historical portrait of Richard III as an usurper who likely murdered the princes. Richard, Duke of York grew into "a big strong boy" (the fate of his elder brother, Edward V of England , is left unmentioned), and becomes his uncle's favourite, reflected by his being seated at the side of the king at the banquet on the eve of the Battle of Bosworth Field , which is a victory for the House of York during
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#17327907984845720-410: The constituency of Trim in the Irish House of Commons before succeeding his father as Baron Mornington in 1758. Garret Mornington was also an accomplished composer , and in recognition of his musical and philanthropic achievements was elevated to the rank of Earl of Mornington in 1760. Wellesley's mother was the eldest daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, 1st Viscount Dungannon , after whom Wellesley
5830-508: The contemporary Blackadder. The time travel narrative of the special also allowed writers to introduce more historical Darlings to the series' chronology: the Duke of Darling, aide to the Duke of Wellington (Fry), and the Duc de Darling, assistant to Napoleon I ( Simon Russell Beale ). The final Darling, however, is also a Blackadder and was portrayed by Atkinson in BBC promotional materials in 2002;
5940-579: The cost of only 361 British casualties. A further successful attack at the fortress at Gawilghur , combined with the victory of General Lake at Delhi , forced the Maratha to sign a peace settlement at Anjangaon (not concluded until a year later) called the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon . Military historian Richard Holmes remarked that Wellesley's experiences in India had an important influence on his personality and military tactics, teaching him much about military matters that would prove vital to his success in
6050-407: The costume party, where Blackadder exposes Ludwig who was posing as a cow; Blackadder realised that Ludwig's cow outfit was too good, while Nursie who always went as a cow had an udder fixation. When Ludwig attempts to flee while swearing he'll exact his revenge, Blackadder informs him that he will die and be buried, and throws a dagger at Ludwig that presumably either kills or wounds him off-screen, as
6160-493: The credits of this episode the name Flashheart is spelled Flasheart . Lord Flashheart is boisterous and an arrogant womaniser, attractive to all the women he meets. He is extremely popular among his peers and becomes the centre of attention whenever he enters a room, usually by bursting through a door in a spectacular fashion. The two Flashhearts are stereotypes of a certain kind of hero (the Elizabethan swashbuckler and
6270-521: The damp environment. Though the campaign was to end disastrously, with the British army driven out of the United Provinces into the German states, Wellesley became more aware of battle tactics, including the use of lines of infantry against advancing columns, and the merits of supporting sea-power. He understood that the failure of the campaign was due in part to the faults of the leaders and
6380-405: The daughter of Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford . She was described as being full of 'gaiety and charm'. In 1793, he proposed, but was turned down by her brother Thomas , 2nd Earl of Longford , who considered Wellesley to be a young man, in debt, with very poor prospects. An aspiring amateur musician, Wellesley, devastated by the rejection, burnt his violins in anger, and resolved to pursue
6490-419: The enemy to a gentle ridge and gave the order to fire. After an extensive repetition of volleys, followed by a bayonet charge, the 33rd, in conjunction with the rest of Harris's force, forced Tipu's infantry to retreat. Immediately after their arrival at Seringapatam on 5 April 1799, the Battle of Seringapatam began and Wellesley was ordered to lead a night attack on the village of Sultanpettah, adjacent to
6600-471: The entire royal court are killed after Lord Percy poisoned the entire vat of wine in an exaggerated attempt to kill the Black Seal, a group of assassins led by Edmund's archenemy. Gertrude of Flanders ( Elspet Gray ) is the wife of King Richard of England, Scotland and Ireland and mother of Princes Harry and Edmund . In attitude, Gertrude is mostly distant and absent-minded. She had an affair with
6710-561: The expulsion of the French from Egypt . Wellesley had been appointed second in command to Baird, but owing to ill health did not accompany the expedition on 9 April 1801. This was fortunate for Wellesley, since the vessel on which he was to have sailed sank in the Red Sea. He was promoted to brigadier-general on 17 July 1801. He took residence within the Sultan's summer palace and reformed
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#17327907984846820-462: The face of superior French forces, the 33rd held off enemy cavalry, allowing neighbouring units to retreat safely. During the extremely harsh winter that followed, Wellesley and his regiment formed part of an allied force holding the defence line along the Waal River . The 33rd, along with the rest of the army, suffered heavy losses from attrition and illness. Wellesley's health was also affected by
6930-412: The final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth , when George suggests they could pass the time by singing along to " music hall hits", one of them being "Whoops Mrs Miggins, you're sitting on my artichokes!" The Duke of Wellington Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington , ( né Wesley ; 1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish military officer and statesman who
7040-468: The fortress to clear the way for the artillery. Because of a variety of factors including the Mysorean army's strong defensive preparations and the darkness the attack failed with 25 casualties due to confusion among the British. Wellesley suffered a minor injury to his knee from a spent musket-ball. Although they would re-attack successfully the next day, after time to scout ahead the enemy's positions,
7150-532: The future upkeep of Dhoondiah's orphaned son. In September 1802, Wellesley learnt that he had been promoted to the rank of major-general . He had been gazetted on 29 April 1802, but the news took several months to reach him by sea. He remained at Mysore until November when he was sent to command an army in the Second Anglo-Maratha War . When he determined that a long defensive war would ruin his army, Wellesley decided to act boldly to defeat
7260-411: The ground and bound along in a serpentine motion until their force was spent. According to one British observer, a young English officer named Bayly: "So pestered were we with the rocket boys that there was no moving without danger from the destructive missiles ...". He continued: The rockets and musketry from 20,000 of the enemy were incessant. No hail could be thicker. Every illumination of blue lights
7370-554: The island of Saint Helena and stayed in the same building in which Napoleon I would live during his later exile. In September 1805, Major-General Wellesley was newly returned from his campaigns in India and was not yet particularly well known to the public. He reported to the office of the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies to request a new assignment. In the waiting room, he met Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson , already
7480-400: The lack of discipline among his men, who drank and pillaged the fortress and city. To restore order, several soldiers were flogged and four hanged . After battle and the resulting end of the war, the main force under General Harris left Seringapatam and Wellesley, aged 30, stayed behind to command the area as the new Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. While in India, Wellesley was ill for
7590-432: The main battle, rocketeers maneuvered to the rear of the British encampment, then 'threw a great number of rockets at the same instant' to signal the beginning of an assault by 6,000 Indian infantry and a corps of Frenchmen, all ordered by Mir Golam Hussain and Mohomed Hulleen Mir Miran. The rockets had a range of about 1,000 yards. Some burst in the air like shells . Others, called ground rockets, would rise again on striking
7700-464: The majority (around 30,000) were irregular light cavalry and unlikely to pose a serious threat to British infantry and artillery. Throughout June–August 1800, Wellesley advanced through Waugh's territory, his troops escalading forts in turn and capturing each one with "trifling loss". The forts generally offered little resistance due to their poor construction and design. Wellesley did not have sufficient troops to garrison each fort and had to clear
7810-560: The members owed their election to the landowners of fewer than a hundred boroughs. Wellesley continued to serve at Dublin Castle , voting with the government in the Irish parliament over the next two years. He became a captain on 30 January 1791, and was transferred to the 58th Regiment of Foot . On 31 October, he transferred to the 18th Light Dragoons and it was during this period that he grew increasingly attracted to Kitty Pakenham ,
7920-509: The most serious villain in the Blackadder franchise, having successfully murdered the main cast as well as being the only villain in the series not to have been killed off or even brought to justice for the crimes he committed. From a real-world point of view, this is part of Hugh Laurie's continuous set of appearances in Blackadder , but the last of those in which he is only credited as a guest actor, Laurie having made his debut appearance in
8030-613: The name Sir Osmond Darling-Blackadder suggests an unknown familial union between Blackadders and Darlings at some point in their histories. George ( Hugh Laurie ) appears in Blackadder the Third as "Prince George", Prince Regent of England and an "upper-class twit"; Lt. The Hon. George Colthurst St Barleigh , an overexcited and keen young lieutenant in Blackadder Goes Forth ; and "Lt. The Hon. George Bufton-Tufton" in Blackadder: Back & Forth . Bob
8140-588: The new Governor-General of India . In 1798, he changed the spelling of his surname to "Wellesley"; up to this time he was still known as Wesley, which his eldest brother considered the ancient and proper spelling. As part of the campaign to extend the rule of the British East India Company , the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War broke out in 1798 against the Sultan of Mysore , Tipu Sultan . Arthur's brother Richard ordered that an armed force be sent to capture Seringapatam and defeat Tipu. During
8250-473: The numerically larger force of the Maratha Empire . With the logistic assembly of his army complete (24,000 men in total) he gave the order to break camp and attack the nearest Maratha fort on 8 August 1803. The fort surrendered on 12 August after an infantry attack had exploited an artillery-made breach in the wall. With the fort now in British control Wellesley was able to extend control southwards to
8360-415: The poor organisation at headquarters. He remarked later of his time in the Netherlands that "At least I learned what not to do, and that is always a valuable lesson". Returning to England in March 1795, he was reinstated as a member of parliament for Trim. He hoped to be given the position of secretary of war in the new Irish government but the new lord-lieutenant, Lord Camden , was only able to offer him
8470-530: The post of Surveyor-General of the Ordnance . Declining the post, he returned to his regiment, now at Southampton preparing to set sail for the West Indies . After seven weeks at sea, a storm forced the fleet back to Poole . The 33rd was given time to recuperate and a few months later, Whitehall decided to send the regiment to India. Wellesley was promoted full colonel by seniority on 3 May 1796 and
8580-491: The previous Blackadder II episode, "Beer" as Simon Partridge or "Farters Parters" and "Mr. Ostrich", a drunk. He remains one of two actors in the Blackadder series to have played two completely different characters in the same series, Blackadder II (the other being Rowan Atkinson himself, who played Mr. E. Blackadder and his Scottish cousin MacAdder in the Blackadder the Third series finale episode, "Duel and Duality"). Laurie
8690-606: The rank of field marshal after leading British-led forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. Following Napoleon's first exile in 1814, he served as the British ambassador to France and was made Duke of Wellington . During the Hundred Days campaign in 1815, Wellington commanded another British-led army which, together with the Prussian Army under Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher , defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Wellington's battle record
8800-401: The rest of the group celebrate the fact that Ludwig has been defeated. However, after the end credits have aired, it is revealed that Ludwig has resurfaced and, now disguised as Queenie after murdering her, has gone on to kill the entire main cast by using a dagger to cut their throats although it is implied that he broke Blackadder's neck or strangled or suffocated Melchett. Ludwig is regarded as
8910-487: The river Godavari . Splitting his army into two forces to pursue and locate the main Marathas army (the second force, commanded by Colonel Stevenson was far smaller), Wellesley was preparing to rejoin his forces on 24 September. His intelligence, however, reported the location of the Marathas' main army, between two rivers near Assaye . If he waited for the arrival of his second force, the Marathas would be able to mount
9020-729: The same contemporary newspaper evidence, which states that he was born on 1 May 1769, the day before he was baptised in St. Peter's Church on Aungier Street in Dublin. However, Ernest Lloyd states "registry of St. Peter's Church, Dublin, shows that he was christened there on 30 April 1769". His baptismal font was donated to St. Nahi's Church in Dundrum, Dublin , in 1914. Wellesley may have been born at his parents' townhouse, Mornington House at 6 Merrion Street (the address later became known as 24 Upper Merrion Street), Dublin, which now forms part of
9130-493: The same personality and mannerisms. In Ben Elton's 2016 sitcom Upstart Crow , Tim Downie 's character Christopher Marlowe resembles Flashheart. "Queenie" ( Miranda Richardson ) is a caricature of the historical figure Queen Elizabeth I of England featured in Blackadder II . Though she is only twice referred to as "Queenie" in the series, this name is commonly used by the general public. In contrast to
9240-736: The second Dangan Castle , 3 miles (5 km) north of Summerhill in County Meath . In 1781, Arthur's father died and his eldest brother Richard inherited his father's earldom. He went to the diocesan school in Trim when at Dangan, Mr Whyte's Academy when in Dublin, and Brown's School in Chelsea when in London. He then enrolled at Eton College , where he studied from 1781 to 1784. His loneliness there caused him to hate it, and makes it highly unlikely that he actually said "The Battle of Waterloo
9350-688: The second he is heir to the title. The title of Duke of Northumberland was not in fact held by a real person surnamed Percy until 1766, when Hugh Percy, born Hugh Smithson, was awarded the title, although the title of the Earl of Northumberland was granted to a Percy in 1377. Introduced in its fourth iteration, Blackadder Goes Forth , Captain Kevin Darling ( Tim McInnerny ) is main character Captain Edmund Blackadder ( Rowan Atkinson )'s intellectual peer and bitter rival (just like Melchett
9460-462: The surrounding area of insurgents before advancing to the next fort. On 31 July, he had "taken and destroyed Dhoondiah's baggage and six guns, and driven into the Malpoorba (where they were drowned) about five thousand people". Dhoondiah continued to retreat, but his forces were rapidly deserting, he had no infantry and due to the monsoon weather flooding river crossings he could no longer outpace
9570-481: The tax and justice systems in his province to maintain order and prevent bribery. In 1800, whilst serving as Governor of Mysore, Wellesley was tasked with putting down an insurgency led by Dhoondiah Waugh , formerly a Patan trooper for Tipu Sultan . Having escaped after the fall of Seringapatam he became a powerful brigand, raiding villages along the Maratha–Mysore border region. Despite initial setbacks,
9680-508: The theory that he was born in Dublin is generally accepted but by no means proved". Other places that have been put forward as the location of his birth include a coach between Meath and Dublin, the Dublin packet boat and the Wellesley townhouse in Trim, County Meath. Wellesley spent most of his childhood at his family's two homes, the first a large house in Dublin, Mornington House , and
9790-456: The tope, was at once attacked in the darkness of night by a tremendous fire of musketry and rockets. The men, floundering about amidst the trees and the water-courses, at last broke, and fell back in disorder, some being killed and a few taken prisoners. In the confusion Colonel Wellesley was himself struck on the knee by a spent ball, and narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the enemy. A few weeks later, after extensive artillery bombardment,
9900-444: The trademark bellow "Baaah!" with Fry's earlier portrayal of Wellington , which would be delivered at random intervals for no apparent reason. In a BBC Four interview broadcast on 17 August 2007, Fry goes into some depth on the "odd history" of Melchett's "Baaah!", explaining that it began as early as his work in student productions of Shakespeare at Queens' College, Cambridge , where he would produce strange noises in order to amuse
10010-435: The usual regal and austere depiction of Elizabeth I, Miranda Richardson's portrayal is childish, spoiled and silly, possessing a fiery temper. Amanda Barrie 's portrayal of Cleopatra in the 1964 film Carry On Cleo as a childish seductress has been suggested as an inspiration for Richardson's interpretation of Elizabeth I. It has been remarked that Queenie closely resembles the character Violet Elizabeth Bott featured in
10120-434: The war, rockets were used on several occasions. Wellesley was almost defeated by Tipu's Diwan, Purnaiah , at the Battle of Sultanpet Tope . Quoting Forrest, At this point (near the village of Sultanpet, Figure 5) there was a large tope, or grove, which gave shelter to Tipu's rocketmen and had obviously to be cleaned out before the siege could be pressed closer to Srirangapattana island. The commander chosen for this operation
10230-643: The world. After the end of his active military career, Wellington returned to politics. He was twice British prime minister as a member of the Tory party from 1828 to 1830 and for a little less than a month in 1834. Wellington oversaw the passage of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 , while he opposed the Reform Act 1832 . He continued to be one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and remained Commander-in-Chief of
10340-654: Was Queen Elizabeth's real governesses, Kat Ashley , Margaret Bryan and Blanche Parry . Prince Henry "Harry" Plantagenet, Earl of March (1460–1498) ( Robert East ) was in The Black Adder (series 1). His Royal titles were the Prince of Wales , Earl of March, Captain of the Guard, Grand Warden of the Northern and Eastern Marches, Chief Lunatic of the Duchy of Gloucester, Viceroy of Wales, Sheriff of Nottingham , Marquess of
10450-429: Was Col. Wellesley, but advancing towards the tope after dark on the 5th April 1799, he was set upon with rockets and musket-fires, lost his way and, as Beatson politely puts it, had to "postpone the attack" until a more favourable opportunity should offer. The following day, Wellesley launched a fresh attack with a larger force, and took the whole position without any killed in action. On 22 April 1799, twelve days before
10560-411: Was accompanied by a shower of rockets, some of which entered the head of the column, passing through to the rear, causing death, wounds, and dreadful lacerations from the long bamboos of twenty or thirty feet, which are invariably attached to them. Under the command of General Harris , some 24,000 troops were dispatched to Madras (to join an equal force being sent from Bombay in the west). Arthur and
10670-399: Was also transferred to the new 76th Regiment forming in Ireland and on Christmas Day, 1787, was promoted lieutenant . During his time in Dublin his duties were mainly social; attending balls, entertaining guests and providing advice to Buckingham. While in Ireland, he overextended himself in borrowing due to his occasional gambling, but in his defence stated that "I have often known what it
10780-416: Was and, on his return, switched to a very different tone, discussing the war, the state of the colonies, and the geopolitical situation as between equals. On this second discussion, Wellington recalled, "I don't know that I ever had a conversation that interested me more". This was the only time that the two men met; Nelson was killed at his victory at Trafalgar seven weeks later. Wellesley then served in
10890-497: Was directed to scour this grove and dislodge the enemy, but on his advancing with this object on the night of the 5th, he found the tope unoccupied. The next day, however, the Mysore troops again took possession of the ground, and as it was absolutely necessary to expel them, two columns were detached at sunset for the purpose. The first of these, under Colonel Shawe, got possession of a ruined village, which it successfully held. The second column, under Colonel Wellesley, on advancing into
11000-509: Was in season 2); while Blackadder reluctantly serves in World War I trenches , Darling is safely stationed some distance from the front line . Darling is the sycophantic adjutant to Stephen Fry 's General Melchett. The character was originally conceived as "Captain Cartwright"; writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis were simply unable to think of a more amusing name for him. Eventually however, Stephen Fry suggested "Darling" would be
11110-535: Was in the thick of the action the whole time ... I never saw a man so cool and collected as he was ... though I can assure you, till our troops got the order to advance the fate of the day seemed doubtful ..." With some 6,000 Marathas killed or wounded, the enemy was routed, though Wellesley's force was in no condition to pursue. British casualties were heavy: the British losses amounted to 428 killed, 1,138 wounded and 18 missing (the British casualty figures were taken from Wellesley's own despatch). Wellesley
11220-458: Was named. Through Elizabeth of Rhuddlan , Wellesley was a descendant of Edward I . Wellesley was the sixth of nine children born to the Earl and Countess of Mornington. His siblings included Richard, Viscount Wellesley , later 1st Marquess Wellesley , 2nd Earl of Mornington , and Baron Maryborough . The exact date and location of Wellesley's birth is not known, but biographers mostly follow
11330-717: Was one of the leading military and political figures in Britain during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, serving twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom . He is among the commanders who ended the Anglo-Mysore Wars when Tipu Sultan was killed in the fourth war in 1799 and among those who ended the Napoleonic Wars in a victory when the Seventh Coalition defeated Napoleon at
11440-482: Was surprised when they asked me. Very honouring that they asked me. 'Alright,' I said, 'I'll do it, as long as I get more laughs than Rowan. ' " The writing for Lord Flashheart seems to have been at least in part inspired by George MacDonald Fraser ’s, adaptation of Harry Flashman . The character of Robin Hood in Blackadder: Back and Forth , also played by Mayall, is essentially another version of Flashheart, with
11550-420: Was the first to do so, with Atkinson second. Laurie would later join the main cast for Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth ; possibly, they all share a common ancestor. (Lt. George had a German uncle, so this is not out of the question.) King Richard IV ( Brian Blessed ) is the father of Prince Harry and Prince Edmund Plantagenet ("The Black Adder") and features in the first series. The character
11660-409: Was therefore bullied by his classmates, who gave him the nickname, "Shorty Greasy Spot-Spot". He despises the name to such an extent that he flies into a rage whenever it is mentioned in his presence. As a result, he became a power-hungry megalomaniac, determined to fulfil his goal of becoming King of England by any means necessary. Once his men capture Blackadder and Melchett, he keeps them imprisoned in
11770-400: Was to be in want of money, but I have never got helplessly into debt". On 23 January 1788, he transferred into the 41st Regiment of Foot , then again on 25 June 1789 he transferred to the 12th (Prince of Wales's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons and, according to military historian Richard Holmes , he also reluctantly entered politics. Shortly before the general election of 1789, he went to
11880-501: Was troubled by the loss of men and remarked that he hoped "I should not like to see again such loss as I sustained on 23 September, even if attended by such gain". Years later, however, he remarked that Assaye and not Waterloo was the best battle he ever fought. Despite the damage done to the Maratha army, the battle did not end the war. A few months later in November, Wellesley attacked a larger force near Argaum , leading his army to victory again, with an astonishing 5,000 enemy dead at
11990-426: Was unlikely, but not impossible, that the family had travelled to Dublin for his baptism. A pillar was erected in his honour near Dangan in 1817. The place of his birth has been much disputed following his death, with Sir J.B. Burke writing the following in 1873: "Isn't it remarkable that until recently all the old memoirs of the Duke of Wellington seemed to infer that County Meath was the place of birth. Nowadays
12100-531: Was won on the playing fields of Eton", a quotation which is often attributed to him. Moreover, Eton had no playing fields at the time. In 1785, a lack of success at Eton, combined with a shortage of family funds due to his father's death, forced the young Wellesley and his mother to move to Brussels . Until his early twenties, Arthur showed little sign of distinction and his mother grew increasingly concerned at his idleness, stating, "I don't know what I shall do with my awkward son Arthur." In 1786, Arthur enrolled in
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