How can you not love Blackadder II (1986)? All editions of Rowan Atkinson’s comedic romp through British history are hilarious, but this one’s my fave because, of course, the 16th century is my happy place. The whole series is proof you can take the piss out of history and still wear wonderfully accurate historical costumes, and to me, this one is the peak. The costumes are so gorgeously detailed and several are clearly inspired by period imagery. It doesn’t much matter that each character basically wears the same outfit throughout all six episodes. Even with this small wardrobe, there’s enough detail that I feel a deep-dive is in order.
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It strikes me that the most entertaining explanation for Edmund Blackadder wearing riding boots at all times is that it’s a strong hint that the character is, at all times, anticipating the strong possibility of being obliged to make a hasty getaway.
Given his relationship with ‘Queenie’, one can imagine why that might be the case.
One also wonders if the Golden Fleece might be a sort of visual hint that Lord Percy is picking up a pension from the Spanish court (Philipp II of Spain was King Consort of England at one point and would certainly have been looking to maintain some Useful Idiots at court, given his enterprises against England – though whether Percy is a useful idiot must remain a question for the ages).
Also, remember that Percy discovered Purest Green and his wardrobe shift could well be a side effect … or just good branding.
One presumes that the Elizabethan court stylists issued a floating ruff to Baldrick because they needed something to draw attention away from his face…
Interesting to note that for all Lord Flasheart’s spontaneity, his elopement with Kate cannot have been entirely unplanned (Otherwise how could they have been able to ensure their costume changes matched).