A Knight's Tale

     Before we start this journey together, if you have not seen the movie A Knight's Tale starring Heath Ledger, it's time you did!  The movie is a medieval adventure-comedy, a delightful rollicking romp with a contempoary soundtrack about a wannabe 'knight' working the tournament circuit.
 
     Join the peasants cheering along the rails to Queen's We Will Rock You or get up and dance to Bowie's Golden Years! You can't help but have a good time.
 
     Why this film?  It's my way of introducing you to the Black Prince, played in the movie by James Purefoy. From it, you'll gain a sense of how watching football today isn't much different from being a spectator at a tournament of yesteryear.

      Like today's pre- and half-time shows, there was entertainment.  Each knight was introduced by his herald regaling the crowd with his lord's deeds of daring.  The more audacious and ribald the herald's bragging, the more delighted and rowdier the crowd.  I suspect there may have been wardrobe malfunctions too!

Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer (who actually served in Edward III's court)

James Purefoy as the Black Prince

     Heath Ledger plays the part of William Thatcher, a peasant pretending to be of noble birth, masquerading as one Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland (who was a real person BTW).  During one of the tournaments, the Black Prince competes incognito, but his identity is no secret and all the combatants choose to withdraw rather than go up against him.  Ulrich chooses not to withdraw, thus honoring the prince.  Much later, when Ulrich is 'found out', the Black Prince comes to his rescue.

Sir William Thatcher is knighted by the Black Prince.

Edward and Joan

     There, seated in the berfois, is the Black Prince and at his side, his wife, Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent.  But that's for another post!

    My novel's working title is Duty Reigns: The Life of the Black Prince. It weaves the lives of Edward, Joan, and Edward III.  Hollywood couldn't write a screenplay better than the lives they lived!