Black Knight (Monty Python)

The Black Knight is a fictional character who first appeared as a minor antagonist in the 1975 comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail by the Monty Python comedy troupe. A knight dressed in black who wears a helmet concealing his face, he is based on the Arthurian legend of the Black Knight. Like most of the characters in Holy Grail, he is played by a member of Monty Python, namely John Cleese, who primarily portrays Lancelot in the film.

The Black Knight appears in a scene of Holy Grail, in which he guards a tiny bridge over a small stream and fights King Arthur, who wants to pass it; although a brave and skilled swordfighter, he is defeated by Arthur, who is soon bewildered by the knight's staunch refusal to admit his obvious defeat. He also appears in the musical Spamalot, in which Christopher Sieber premiered the role in 2005.