Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle · Chapter
XVIII: The Black Knight explained
The Great Tourney reaches its climax as Blake, the Black Knight of Nimmr, defeats Sir Guy of the Sepulcher but spares his life, winning admiration and confusion.
What happens
The Great Tourney reaches its climax as Blake, the Black Knight of Nimmr, defeats Sir Guy of the Sepulcher but spares his life, winning admiration and confusion. Despite a narrow lead, Nimmr wins the tourney by two points. As the victors claim the prize, a knight in leopard skin bassinet enters the stands and Princess Guinalda is kidnapped.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Chivalry
Blake defies the laws of the tourney to aid the wounded Sir Guy, demonstrating a personal code of honor that values mercy over custom.
Love and Sacrifice
Blake fights for his Princess, whispering 'For my Princess!' as he charges Sir Wildred, showing his motivation is love.
Loyalty and Betrayal
King Bohun betrays the tourney's spirit by orchestrating the kidnapping of Princess Guinalda while the victors are distracted.
Characters to notice
- James Hunter Blake
The Black Knight of Nimmr; defeats Sir Guy and Sir Wildred, shows chivalry by aiding his fallen foe, and fights for his Princess.
- Sir Guy
Knight of the Sepulcher; defeated by Blake, wounded in the throat, but saved by Blake's mercy.
- Sir Richard
Knight of Nimmr; leads a party to protect Blake and explains customs to him.
- Sir Wildred
Knight of the Sepulcher; unhorsed by Blake in the final event, puzzled by Blake's friendly demeanor.
- King Bohun
King of the Sepulcher; orchestrates the kidnapping of Princess Guinalda after the tourney.
- Princess Guinalda
Princess of Nimmr; kidnapped from her loge by Bohun's knights during the prize ceremony.
Key passages
“I do not give a damn for your laws or your customs. Where I come from a decent man wouldn't let a yellow dog bleed to death without trying to save him, much less a brave and gallant boy like this, and because he fell by my hand, by the customs of my country I should be compelled to aid him.”
Blake tells the marshals that he doesn't care about their ancient rules; in his homeland, a decent person would never let even a dog die without help, especially a brave young man he himself defeated.
Blake explains his modern ethics to the medieval knights, shocking them with his disregard for tradition.
“For my Princess!”
Blake whispers a dedication to his beloved princess as he charges into combat against Sir Wildred.
Blake's personal motivation is revealed in this brief, heartfelt cry.