 Throughout the series , Blackadder 's chief rival is Lord Melchett ( Stephen Fry ) , the Queen 's pretentious and grovelling Lord Chamberlain . Melchett is himself in fear of upsetting the Queen , and thus attempts to outdo Blackadder by supporting the Queen in whatever current fad she is interested in . Comic relief in the Court is provided by the Queen 's rather demented former nanny , <unk> ( Patsy Byrne ) . 
