A Knight's Tale is a 2001 American medieval action comedy film[5][6] written, co-produced and directed by Brian Helgeland.

The film stars Heath Ledger as William Thatcher, a peasant squire who poses as a knight and competes in tournaments, winning accolades and acquiring friendships with such historical figures as Edward the Black Prince (James Purefoy) and Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany).

At a jousting tournament in 14th-century Europe, squires William Thatcher, Roland, and Wat discover that their master, Sir Ector, has died.

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.

During the competition, William's armour is badly damaged; he goads Kate, a female blacksmith, into repairing it without payment.

In the following tournament, Adhemar and William are both assigned to tilt against Sir Thomas Colville, but they learn that he is actually Prince Edward, the heir apparent to the English throne.

Unwilling to risk harming him, Adhemar withdraws; but William chooses to joust against Edward anyway and then addresses him by name, further earning his respect.

William recalls leaving his father to squire for Sir Ector and learn to become a knight, hoping to "change his stars".

He demands to be stripped of his armour while Chaucer buys time by performing the introduction of William that he omitted earlier.

The film, which notionally took place during the Middle Ages, is notable for its deliberate use of classic rock songs in its soundtrack.

[18] Roger Ebert gave the film 3 stars out of 4 and argued that the anachronisms made little difference, writing that the director himself "pointed out that an orchestral score would be equally anachronistic, since orchestras hadn't been invented in the 1400s.

"[19][20] In an obituary for David Bowie, culture critic Anthony Lane referred to the film's use of the song "Golden Years" as "the best and most honest use of anachronism that I know of.

[22] The fake critic was named David Manning and was created by a Columbia employee who worked in the advertising department.

Shannyn Sossamon was nominated for Breakthrough Female performance, losing to Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember.

[24] The film was also nominated for Best Kiss, and Best Musical Sequence, losing to American Pie 2 and Moulin Rouge!, respectively.