The show sets out to rectify the situation by telling the "real story" and presents the alternate history of King Richard IV.

The script of this episode contains many lines and situations which borrow from or parody William Shakespeare's plays Richard III and Macbeth.

A close-up of one of the children fades to a shot of the bearded Richard, Duke of York (Brian Blessed) roaring with laughter, as the narrator declares that he grew up to be "a big, strong boy", and that it was he who was crowned king after winning the Battle of Bosworth Field, not Henry.

A feast is held at the castle of King Richard III of England as his court prepares for the next day's battle with the forces led by Henry Tudor.

[1] A young lord's overzealous cheering raises the King's attention, who asks Richard, Duke of York, about the cheerer's identity.

Noticing an attempt to steal his horse, Edmund draws his sword and decapitates the apparent thief, only recognising him as King Richard III afterwards.

Later, Edmund finds himself haunted by the headless ghost of his great-uncle, who openly accuses him of beheading him and even calling him "Edna" in order to taunt him.

During the celebratory banquet in honour of the new king, a portrait of Henry Tudor is presented for ridicule, and Edmund is horrified to learn that the wounded man he is sheltering is actually the enemy.

[7] In the end, parts of Cook's performance took the form of a mock-heroic parody of Laurence Olivier's portrayal of the king in the 1955 film version of Shakespeare's play.