<P> The knights demand a sacrifice, and when Arthur states that he merely wishes to pass through the woods, the knights begin shouting "Ni!", forcing the party to shrink back in fear . After this demonstration of their power, the head knight threatens to say "Ni!" again unless the travelers appease them with a shrubbery; otherwise they shall never pass through the wood alive . When Arthur questions the demand, the knights again shout "Ni!" until the travelers agree to bring them a shrubbery, which the head knight specifies must be "one that looks nice . And not too expensive ." </P> <P> In order to fulfill their promise to the Knights of Ni, the party visits a small village, where Arthur and Bedivere ask an old crone where they can obtain a shrubbery . The woman questions them, and Arthur admits that it is for the Knights who say "Ni!", whereupon she refuses to cooperate . Arthur then threatens to say "Ni!" to the old woman unless she helps them, and when she still refuses, begins shouting "Ni!". Bedivere has trouble saying the sacred word, which he pronounces "Nu!" until Arthur demonstrates the correct technique . As the crone shrinks back from their combined assault, they are interrupted by Roger the Shrubber, who laments the lack of law and order that allows ruffians to say "Ni!" to an old woman . Arthur obtains a shrubbery from Roger, and brings it to the Knights of Ni . </P> <P> The head knight acknowledges that "it is a good shrubbery", but asserts that the knights cannot allow Arthur and his followers to pass through the wood because they are no longer the Knights who say "Ni!" They are now the Knights who say "Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing!" and must therefore give Arthur a test . Unable to pronounce the new name, Arthur addresses them as "Knights who until recently said' Ni!'," inquiring as to the nature of the test . The head knight demands another shrubbery, to be placed next to but slightly higher than the first; and then Arthur "must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest--with a herring!" The knight presents a herring to be used . Arthur objects, asserting that "it can't be done!" upon which the knights recoil as though in fear and pain . It soon emerges that the knights are unable to withstand the word "it", which Arthur's party is unable to avoid saying . The knights are soon incapacitated by the word, which even the head knight cannot stop repeating, allowing Arthur and his followers to make their escape . </P> <P> In the original screenplay, it was suggested that the head knight be played by "Mike standing on John's shoulders". In the DVD commentary for the film, Michael Palin states that their use of the word "Ni!" was derived from The Goon Show . Upon Arthur's return, the knights were to have said, "Neeeow...wum...ping!" </P>

What do the knights who say ni change their names to