By the Sword Divided is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1983 and 1985.
The series, created by John Hawkesworth, was a historical drama set during the mid-17th century, dealing with the impact of the English Civil War on the fictional Lacey family, made up of both Royalist and Parliamentarian supporters.
It follows the family as it is torn apart by the conflicting and changing loyalties of the war, as families were during that time, and the defeat of the Royalist forces at the end of the First English Civil War. Series two covers the second and third civil wars and the eventual Restoration of the Monarchy. The last episodes see the surviving members of the family (from both sides of the divide) witness the arrival of King Charles II on a visit to the ancestral Lacey home.
Cast
Regular Cast
Lucy Aston as Lucinda Lacey/Ferrar Timothy Bentinck as Sir Thomas (Tom) Lacey Simon Butteriss as Hugh Brandon Judy Buxton as Susan Protheroe/Winter Jeremy Clyde as HM King Charles I Rosalie Crutchley as Goodwife Margaret Rob Edwards as John Fletcher Peter Guinness as Dick Skinner Janet Lees Price as Emma Bowen/Skinner Andrew McCulloch as Captain/Colonel Leckie Andrew MacLachlan as Nathaniel Cropper Sharon Maughan as Anne Lacey/Fletcher Bert Parnaby as Sir Austin Fletcher Edward Peel as Walter Jackman Eileen Way as Minty
Series 1 only:
Ben Aris as Edmund Waller Tim Brierley as Lord Edward Ferrar Mark Burns as Captain Charles Pike Simon Dutton as Will Saltmarsh Julian Glover as Sir Martin Lacey Charles Kay as Sir Henry Parkin Frank Mills as Matthew Saltmarsh Michael Parkhouse as Sam Saltmarsh Malcolm Stoddard as Captain/Colonel Hannibal Marsh Jerome Willis as John Pym
Series 2 only:
Cyril Appleton as Mayor of Swinford Peter Birch as Lord Edward Ferrar David Collings as John Thurloe Peter Jeffrey as Oliver Cromwell Joanna McCallum as Lady Frances Neville/Lacey Christopher Neame as Henry Snelling Sir Robert Stephens as Sir Ralph Winter Malcolm Terris as Gabriel Rudd Gareth Thomas as Major-General Horton Simon Treves as HM King Charles II John Woodvine as Solicitor General
Episodes
Series 1 (1983)
Series 2 (1985)
Film locations The filming for the programme took place at Fermyn Woods Hall, Rockingham Castle and Lilford Hall in Northamptonshire.
DVD release By the Sword Divided is available on DVD in the UK, distributed by Acorn Media UK.
References
External links
Episode 1: Gather Ye Rosebuds at YouTube Episode 2: This War without an Enemy at YouTube Episode 3: The Sound of Drums at YouTube Episode 4: A Silver Moon at YouTube Episode 5: The Edge of the Sword at YouTube Episode 6: Outrageous Fortune at YouTube Episode 7: A Sea of Dangers at YouTube Episode 8: Ring of Fire at YouTube Episode 9: Ashes to Ashes at YouTube Episode 10: Not Peace, but a Sword at YouTube Part 2 Episode 1: Conflicts at YouTube Part 2 Episode 2: Cruel Necessity at YouTube Part 2 Episode 3: Cromwell at Arnescote at YouTube Part 2 Episode 4: Witch Hunt at YouTube Part 2 Episode 5: Escape at YouTube Part 2 Episode 6: Fateful Days at YouTube Part 2 Episode 7: Forlorn Hope at YouTube Part 2 Episode 8: The Mailed Fist at YouTube Part 2 Episode 9: Retribution at YouTube Part 2 Episode 10: Restoration at YouTube