TV series

By the Sword Divided

1983–1985 · 2 seasons

A stately, emotionally charged historical drama that immerses you in a family's painful divisions during a brutal civil war.

Overview: This classic period drama series follows the fortunes of the aristocratic Lacey family, living peacefully in Arnescote Castle until the onset of the English Civil War in 1640. Sir Martin Lacey, the head of the family, is steadfastly loyal to the King. However the family is torn apart when his eldest daughter Anne weds John Fletcher - son of a merchant family who support the forces of Cromwell.
How it feels: Melancholic, earnest, tense and dark. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Family, war, loyalty, betrayal
Content: Mild violence, gore and sexual content. No swearing.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: melancholicstrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 1 of 3
darkstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: family
war
loyalty
betrayal
politics
Places: single country house
countryside
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: serialised
ensemble
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language none
Violence mild
Sex mild