Knights Tale Ledger

In A Knights Tale Ledger was given the chance at a lead role in an action adventure comedy romance written and directed by Brian Helgeland and filmed in the Czech Republic in 2000 for an estimated budget of $41,000,000 and released on May 11th, 2001. In A Knights Tale Ledger earned an estimated $3,000,000 for his portrayal of William Thatcher, who becomes Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland. A Knights Tale grossed over $56,000,000 during its United States Theatre run and grossed a purported sum of $117,000,000 worldwide making it a commercial success. For A Knights Tale Ledger was nominated for 4 awards, and as a whole A Knights Tale was nominated for 13 and won 4, including a Golden Trailer Award for Best Action, and the London Critics Circle Film Award for British Supporting Actor of the Year, that was presented to Paul Bettany, who portrayed Geoffrey Chaucer. A Knights Tale was subsequently released on DVD on June 4th, 2002 with an extended cut of the film released on September 27th, 2005 that contained an additional 12 minutes of footage.

In A Knights Tale Ledger portrayed William Thatcher in late medieval Europe, as one of three faithful squires that also included Roland, portrayed by Mark Addy, and Wat, portrayed by Alan Tudyk, for Sir Ector, portrayed by Nick Brimble. After the untimely and unexpected death of Sir Ector during a break of a local jousting tournament, William decides to don Sir Ectors armour and take his place to finish the competition. After William wins, the 3 squires develop a plan to continue the masquerade so they can make enough money to live a future that each one wants.

During there journey to the next tournament they meet Geoffrey Chaucer, portrayed by Paul Bettany, an acclaimed writer who in exchange for food and clothing, provides William with fake noble papers so he can compete in the tournaments as Sir Ulrich Von Lichtenstein. William, together with his new heralds, trains himself in the use of both sword and the jousting lance. As William, now known as Ulrich, is preparing for the next competition, he spots a beautiful woman, portrayed by Shannyn Sossamon, who he follows and attempts to court. The beautiful woman refuses to give her name and during a round of the competition sees her in the crowd of spectators sitting next to Count Adhemar, portrayed by Rufess Sewell. When he approaches to again ask her name, Count Adhemar insults his ancient armour and William seeks the help of Kate the Farrier, portrayed by Laura Fraser, to design him a new set. Later in the competition, William faces Sir Thomas Colville, portrayed by James Purefoy, who is actually Edward, the Black Prince of Wales in disguise. Although William wins the match based on the point system, Sir Thomas is unable to continue due to sustaining an injury. After realising that his opponent is no longer at his best, William calls the match a draw. Before the next round starts with Count Adhemar as his opponent, the beautiful woman’s maid approaches William and reveals that the name he sought was Jocelyn, and hands him a kerchief belonging to her charge. He later attends a tournament dance with Jocelyn which incenses Count Adhemar who had the intention of making Jocelyn his bride.

Afterwards the 3 squires travel to compete in the next tournament in London, which is also the place that William was born and grew up. William makes the mistake of travelling to see his father, John Thatcher, portrayed by Christopher Cazenove, but is followed by Count Adhemar who suspects William as a fraud and not of noble birth. After spending the evening with his father, he returns to the tournament only to discover that he is to be arrested and put in jail. The next day William is placed in a medieval stock for all to see, but each of his heralds remain by his side and defend him from the abuse of the jeering crowd. A dark rider approaches the stock and reveals himself to be none other than the Black Prince of Wales, Edward. He demands the guards to release him, and asks William to take a knee, after which he draws his sword and proclaims William a knight, in part because of the love of his heralds, as well as for the act of kindness that William showed him during there own competition.

Sir William Thatcher is now of noble blood and is allowed to compete against Count Ademar. In the final facing between William and Adhemar, his heralds, his lady Jocelyn, as well as his father stand amongst the crowd of witnesses to see the final outcome.