Contains spoilers for this episode.
Richard IV strips Edmund of his duchy while rewarding Harry with fresh honours, leaving his younger son in charge of the royal privies. Edmund dismisses Percy and Baldrick and sets out to overthrow his family. With an unwanted retired Morris dancer following him, he gathers six violent men whose crimes seem to qualify them for his conspiracy. They agree to answer a black messenger and seize the court together.
The dancer reveals himself as Philip of Burgundy, Edmund's childhood enemy, and imprisons him as revenge for years spent in exile. Edmund remains trapped with Mad Gerald until a key made from Gerald's teeth provides an escape. He then acquires black homing birds and summons his conspirators. Philip has already reached the castle, however, and Edmund's description of his rival as a ruthless murderer merely convinces the gang to choose Philip as its leader.
They strap Edmund into a torture chair and mutilate him before Percy and Baldrick arrive disguised as serving women. Their poisoned wine kills the conspirators, saving Edmund from further harm. Richard and the court gather around his bed and drink a toast to him, unaware that Percy poisoned the entire supply. Everyone collapses. Edmund guesses that the wine is responsible but tastes it to check. He briefly claims the throne before dying too, and his servants return too late to prevent the fatal toast.