The original six BBC TV episodes starring Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Brian Blessed, Peter Cook, Miriam Margolyes and Rik Mayall includes: "The Foretelling", "The Queen of Spain's Beard", "Born To Be King", "Witchsmeller Pursuivant", "Archbishop", and "The Black Seal".
The third novel in Annie Murray's "Birmingham" series. While Genie's father is away fighting in World War II, her mother has a ruinous affair which leaves her pregnant; Genie's little brother leaves, never to return; while Genie herself meets a man who then disappears to war.