A Knights Tale 🎥 2001 Movie Info

Plot Summary

At a jousting tournament in 14th-century Europe, squires William Thatcher, Roland, and Wat discover that their master, Sir Ector, has died. With one more pass, he could have won the tournament. Destitute, William wears Sir Ector’s armour to impersonate him, winning the tournament and taking the prize. Although only nobles are allowed in tournaments, William is inspired to compete and win more prizes. Roland and Wat would rather take their winnings and leave, but William convinces them to stay and help him train.

While traveling, they encounter a young Geoffrey Chaucer, who is also destitute and agrees to forge a patent of nobility so William can enter, assuming the name of “Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein” from Gelderland. But William is brought before Simon the Summoner and Peter the Pardoner: Chaucer has a gambling problem and is in their debt. William demands Chaucer be released and promises payment. During the competition, William’s armour is badly damaged; he goads Kate, a female blacksmith, into repairing it without payment. He wins the tournament’s sword event, enabling him to pay Chaucer’s debt.

In the joust, he faces Sir Thomas Colville, who withdraws from the tournament after being injured by William, though they exchange a ceremonial pass so that Colville can retain the honour of never having failed to complete a match. The proceedings are observed by Jocelyn, a noblewoman with whom William has become infatuated, and Count Adhemar of Anjou, a rival both in the joust and for Jocelyn’s heart. In the final joust, Adhemar defeats William by knocking his helmet off. William vows revenge, but Adhemar taunts him, “You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.” William is invited to a banquet and Kate shows him how to dance. There, he meets with Jocelyn again and, once more, Adhemar attempts to humiliate Will.

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