Home / Series / By The Sword Divided / Aired Order /

All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Gather Ye Rosebuds

    • October 16, 1983
    • BBC One

    There is great excitement surrounding the arrival of John Fletcher at Arnescote Castle. His father and Lord Lacey have a heated discussion about the wedding dowry.

  • S01E02 This War Without an Enemy

    • October 23, 1983
    • BBC One

    The King dramatically makes several arrests for treason in the House of Commons. While out riding Lucinda meets Prince Rupert on his way to visit Sir Martin.

  • S01E03 The Sound of Drums

    • October 30, 1983
    • BBC One

    Anne returns to the castle to collect her belongings and has a sad parting with her father. Lord Lacey is badly wounded fighting and a cousin, Susan Protheroe, arrives seeking refuge.

  • S01E04 A Silver Moon

    • November 6, 1983
    • BBC One

    Lucinda is rude to the King because of her sense of justice - she then embarks on a successful adventure posing as 'Luke' Lacey and redeems herself.

  • S01E05 The Edge of the Sword

    • November 13, 1983
    • BBC One

    Arnescote is commandeered by Captain Marsh, a Cavalry Officer for Cromwell's Parliament. Sir Martin feels let down by the King and cousin Susan betrays the family.

  • S01E06 Outrageous Fortune

    • November 20, 1983
    • BBC One

    Dick Skinner returns to Arnescote with tales of pillaging in Swinford. Tom goes there and brings his sister Anne home despite her angry protests. Lucinda receives advice from the King.

  • S01E07 A Sea of Dangers

    • November 27, 1983
    • BBC One

    Tom is anxious about the castle's security and calls for more diligence. Anne gives birth then bids a sad farewell to Arnescote. Hugh Brandon performs a 'valiant commission' for Sir Martin.

  • S01E08 Ring of Fire

    • December 4, 1983
    • BBC One

    Arnescote is surrounded and is under siege by the Roundheads. Sam Saltmarsh brings shame on his family by being a turncoat and Susan Protheroe is re-acquainted with Colonel Marsh.

  • S01E09 Ashes to Ashes

    • December 11, 1983
    • BBC One

    Sir Martin's funeral brings with it more family and political discord. Colonel Marsh is holding Arnescote's inhabitants hostage and the future of the castle is looking grim.

  • S01E10 Not Peace But a Sword

    • December 18, 1983
    • BBC One

    The Fletchers return to Arnescote as the new owners but life is not as they expected. Cousin Susan gets shocking news from Colonel Marsh. Edward has a plan to get Tom out of the Tower.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Conflicts

    • January 6, 1985
    • BBC One

    1645: Arnescote Castle, home to the mid-seventeenth century Lacey family, is now in the hands of Parliamentarian John Fletcher and his wife Anne.

  • S02E02 Cruel Necessity

    • January 13, 1985
    • BBC One

    1649: The trial and execution of Charles I seems to have put an end to the Royalist cause.

  • S02E03 Cromwell at Arnescote

    • January 20, 1985
    • BBC One

    1649: The Fletchers receive Oliver Cromwell at Arnescote, unaware of the dangers involved.

  • S02E04 Witch Hunt

    • January 27, 1985
    • BBC One

    1650: Henry Snelling, a witch-finder, arrives at Arnescote Castle and spreads suspicion and distrust that leads to strained relations between John and Anne.

  • S02E05 Escape

    • February 3, 1985
    • BBC One

    1651: King Charles II, defeated at the Battle of Worcester, seeks sanctuary at Arnescote and is treated kindly, before attempting to escape into exile.

  • S02E06 Fateful Days

    • February 10, 1985
    • BBC One

    1653: Arnescote's 'singing boy' Hugh Brandon discovers his true identity and is horrified to discover who his birth mother is.

  • S02E07 Forlorn Hope

    • February 17, 1985
    • BBC One

    1655: Sir Thomas Lacey is involved in an uprising plot to recapture Arnescote Castle. Sir Austin Fletcher stands firm.

  • S02E08 The Mailed Fist

    • February 24, 1985
    • BBC One

    1657: Martin Fletcher is caught brawling with the village boys and Anne is summoned to London by her husband, John, to discuss his suspicions.

  • S02E09 Retribution

    • March 3, 1985
    • BBC One

    1658: Cromwell is on his deathbed. Tom Lacey meets with his twin, Anne, to discuss her affair with Horton and finally proposes to Frances.

  • S02E10 Restoration

    • March 10, 1985
    • BBC One

    1660: With the restoration of King Charles II, John Fletcher is brought to trial as a regicide. Tom is surprised to be honoured as a Baron by the King.