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Hero

William Thatcher

Plot Summary

When a knight dies in the middle of a jousting tournament, his squire, William Thatcher, poses as him to finish the tournament and win the prize. Afterwards, with the help of his friends, Wat and Roland, William trains to enter the next tournament under the name Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein. Along the way, the trio meet Geoffrey Chaucer, who forges a patents of nobility in exchange for food and clothes and acts as Ulrich's herald. At the tournament, he meets a princess name Jocelyn as well as Count Adhemar, who defeats William in the final round of the joust. At this point, William makes it his mission to defeat Adhemar. He becomes very good at jousting and wins several tournaments, but loses on purpose to prove his love to Jocelyn. He returns home for the final tournament and is reacquainted with his father. Adhemar discovers William is not of noble birth and has him arrested. Prince Edward sets him free and knights him, allowing him to compete in the tournament. In the final joust, Adhemar maims William with a lance with a sharpened tip. William overcomes his injury, knocks Adhemar off his horse, and wins the tournament.

Departure

Refusal of the Call: "If you can take your coins, go to England, eat cake. But if you can't, you come with me."

Initiation

Meeting with the Goddess: "Would you speak to me?"

Return

Refusal of the Return: "No! I will not run! I'm a knight."

Final Thoughts