Pretenders

Miniseries

1972 · 13 episodes · 5h 25m in all

In 1685 England, two children are caught up in the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion against King James II.

Episodes

1. 1

   1. Rebellion

   27 Feb 1972 · 25 min

   The Protestant Duke of Monmouth has landed in Dorset, determined to raise an army and wrest the throne from his Catholic uncle, James II.

2. 2

   2. Not a Live Thing Left

   5 Mar 1972 · 25 min

   Elam sets off with his sister, Perfect, to find their father and avoid the conflicts and passions of the Monmouth rebellion.

3. 3

   3. Escape!

   12 Mar 1972 · 25 min

   Joachim, Elam and Perfect are held by Royalist soldiers on the march. When they make camp, the children plan to free Joachim. Encountering two of Monmouth's men who wish to desert, Elam tries to inspire them to fight on.

4. 4

   4. In Safe Keeping

   19 Mar 1972 · 25 min

   The children seek refuge from the Royalists with Alice, an innkeeper in a village that supports the rebel cause - but danger stalks in the form of a merchant who plans to kidnap the children and hold them to ransom.

5. 5

   5. The Players to the Rescue

   26 Mar 1972 · 25 min

   Elam and Perfect are still locked in the hovel while Bailey and Carrity wait for a chance to hand them to the Royalists. However, Joachim meets the travelling Players and together they arrive in the village, where innkeeper Alice has discovered Bailey's plot.

6. 6

   6. Shipwreck

   2 Apr 1972 · 25 min

   Still trying to reaching the Duke, Joachim, Elam and Perfect board a boat for a trip along the Bristol Channel to Bridgewater. Both the boatman and the weather turn against them.

7. 7

   7. The Paymaster

   9 Apr 1972 · 25 min

   Elam, Perfect and Joachim finally make it to Somerset but Joachim is arrested by the King's Dragoons when he is caught trying to steal some food.

8. 8

   8. Prince of Avalon

   16 Apr 1972 · 25 min

   Young Elam's claim to royal blood seems to be recognised when he is greeted as a prince on the road to Glastonbury - but it is only by a scheming merchant who plans to use the lad to gain favour with Monmouth.

9. 9

   9. Into Battle

   23 Apr 1972 · 25 min

   The battle to decide the fate of the throne is imminent: the King's army camps on Sedgemoor while Monmouth plans a surprise attack. Meanwhile, Elam and Perfect decide to follow the assorted rebel forces as they march from Bridgewater.

10. 10

    10. The Last Battle

    30 Apr 1972 · 25 min

    The rival forces come together at last on Sedgemoor in a battle which will determine the future of the English crown once and for all.

11. 11

    11. The Eye of the Drum

    7 May 1972 · 25 min

    After their disastrous rout at Sedgemoor, the battered remnants of Monmouth's rebels are forced to flee the wrath of the victorious Royalists. Elam and Perfect must not only save themselves but try to rescue the captured Joachim.

12. 12

    12. Prizemen

    14 May 1972 · 25 min

    Elam finally confronts the man whom he believes to be his father. He finds that the Pretender is very unlike the man that he had imagined him to be.

13. 13

    13. Fare Thee Well

    21 May 1972 · 25 min

    Joachim is now on the run and, amid a climactic series of events, abandons the two children.