<P> The Black Knight is a fictional character who appears in a scene of the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail . As his name suggests, he is a black knight who guards a "bridge" (in reality a short plank of wood) over a small stream - which could have been easily stepped over by King Arthur but, for unknown reasons, he does not . Although supremely skilled in swordplay, the Black Knight suffers from unchecked overconfidence and a staunch refusal ever to give up . </P> <P> In the film, King Arthur (Graham Chapman), accompanied by his trusty squire Patsy (Terry Gilliam), is travelling through a forest when he enters a clearing and observes a fight taking place between a Black Knight (John Cleese) and a Green one (also played by Gilliam) by a bridge over a small stream . As he watches, the Black Knight defeats the Green one by throwing his sword straight through the eye slot of the Green Knight's great helm (during Arthur's battle with the Black Knight, the Green Knight's body can be seen in a ditch beside the area). </P> <P> Arthur then congratulates the Black Knight and offers him a place at Arthur's court at the Round Table, but the Black Knight only stands still, holding his sword vertically, and makes no response until Arthur moves to cross the bridge . The Black Knight moves slightly to block Arthur and declares "None shall pass". King Arthur, in a conciliatory manner, asserts his right to cross, but the Black Knight says Arthur will die . Arthur orders the Black Knight to move but he says, "I move, for no man". Reluctantly, King Arthur fights the Black Knight and, after a short battle, the Knight's left arm is severed, which squirts out copious amounts of blood . </P>

Who plays the black knight in monty python