Blackadder Empire in 1453, predating the events in the episode by 33 years); this dramatic licence would continue in the subsequent "Blackadders". The filming of the series was highly ambitious, with a large cast and much location shooting. The series also featured Shakespearean dialogue, often adapted for comic effect; the end credits featured the words "Additional Dialogue by William Shakespeare". "Blackadder II" is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603), who is portrayed by Miranda Richardson. The principal character is Edmund, Lord Blackadder, the great-grandson of the original Black Adder. During the series, he regularly deals with
3rd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I 3rd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I The 3rd Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I was summoned by Queen Elizabeth I on 17 February 1571 and assembled on 2 April 1571. The number of Members of Parliament (MPs) had grown from 402 to 438 since the last Parliament of 1559. To head off the usual problems caused by religious debate and calls for her to marry, Elizabeth instructed Parliament to deal with other issues and appointed lawyer Christopher Wray as Speaker of the House of Commons. However, a number of bills concerning religious practices were introduced, only two of which were passed