Contains spoilers for this episode.
Richard IV loses another wealthy man's estate when the Archbishop of Canterbury persuades its dying owner to leave his lands to the Church. The king responds by having the archbishop murdered. Edmund takes pleasure in rumours that Harry will inherit this dangerous position, imagining his brother's death as a convenient route towards the throne. His delight vanishes when Richard appoints Edmund to the vacant office instead.
An attempted flight to France fails when his father catches him and accepts his excuse that he is travelling to Canterbury. Installed as archbishop, Edmund makes Percy a bishop and Baldrick a monk. His first urgent task is to win Lord Graveney's estate for the Crown. He defeats the Church's threats of damnation by describing Hell as a place where Graveney can continue enjoying his sins. Richard finally acknowledges Edmund as his son, and Baldrick begins planning profitable sales of counterfeit relics.
Edmund's new security collapses through a misunderstanding. Richard celebrates never having to demand the removal of another troublesome priest, but two drunken knights hear only the familiar demand and go looking for the archbishop. Edmund and his companions escape through a nunnery and dress as nuns. Caught by the Mother Superior, he accepts a scandalous explanation that earns him expulsion from office. The holy glow behind his departure turns out to come from the burning nunnery.