History Main / KnightInShiningArmor

* KnightInShiningArmor/LiveActionFilm

*** Near the start of the sequel, in the ''[[DarkestHour Forever Red]]'' StoryArc, the trope is brutally Deconstructed. His [ATragedyOfImpulsiveness typical]] leap back into the Red Room for to try and talk Maddie, a LivingWeapon and [[spoiler:Jean's [[SeparatedAtBirth stolen-at-birth]] twin sister]] around ends in disaster: he's right that she's a TragicVillain and [[ArmourPiercingQuestion his question]] makes her think. But a lifetime of ingrained obedience and programming isn't so easily overturned, and instead he spends days being horribly tortured, a mere prelude to a TraumaCongaLine that includes [[spoiler:his BlankSlate body being turned into [[LivingWeapon 'the Red Son']], used to create an aggressive Russian Empire, and repeatedly raped by Yelena Belova, [[EvilCounterpart the Red Room's Black Widow]], in her twisted take on the Black Widow/Winter Soldier dynamic]]. This leaves him on the brink of a SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum, and even after he's talked down, he's left [[ShellShockedVeteran horribly traumatised]] and deeply bitter.

*** Near the start of the sequel, in the ''[[DarkestHour Forever Red]]'' StoryArc, the trope is brutally Deconstructed. His [[TragedyOfImpulsiveness typical]] leap back into the Red Room for to try and talk Maddie, a LivingWeapon and [[spoiler:Jean's [[SeparatedAtBirth stolen-at-birth]] twin sister]] around ends in disaster: he's right that she's a TragicVillain and [[ArmourPiercingQuestion his question]] makes her think. But a lifetime of ingrained obedience and programming isn't so easily overturned, and instead he spends days being horribly tortured, a mere prelude to a TraumaCongaLine that includes [[spoiler:his BlankSlate body being turned into [[LivingWeapon 'the Red Son']], used to create an aggressive Russian Empire, and repeatedly raped by Yelena Belova, [[EvilCounterpart the Red Room's Black Widow]], in her twisted take on the Black Widow/Winter Soldier dynamic]]. This leaves him on the brink of a SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum, and even after he's talked down, he's left [[ShellShockedVeteran horribly traumatised]] and deeply bitter.

*** Near the start of the sequel, in the ''[[DarkestHour Forever Red]]'' StoryArc, the trope is brutally Deconstructed. His [[TragedyOfImpulsiveness typical]] leap back into the Red Room for to try and talk Maddie, a LivingWeapon and [[spoiler:Jean's [[SeparatedAtBirth stolen-at-birth]] twin sister]] around ends in disaster: he's right that she's a TragicVillain and [[ArmourPiercingQuestion his question]] makes her think. [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome But a lifetime of ingrained obedience and programming isn't so easily overturned]], and instead he spends days being horribly tortured, a mere prelude to a TraumaCongaLine that includes [[spoiler:his BlankSlate body being turned into [[LivingWeapon 'the Red Son']], used to create an aggressive Russian Empire, and repeatedly raped by Yelena Belova, [[EvilCounterpart the Red Room's Black Widow]], in her twisted take on the Black Widow/Winter Soldier dynamic]]. This leaves him on the brink of a SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum, and even after he's talked down, he's left [[ShellShockedVeteran horribly traumatised]] and deeply bitter.

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': Stan Marsh became a mix of this and the Only Sane Man. And sometimes he himself parodies this trope.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has an entire episode, "Sworn To The Sword", dedicated to a deconstruction of this trope. Pearl trains Connie in swordplay, while also instructing her on the duties of knighthood as being "completely dedicated to a person and a cause", expecting Connie to be dedicated to Steven as Pearl was for Rose Quartz. Unfortunately, [[spoiler:Pearl has severe self-esteem issues that she ultimately projects onto Connie, demanding that she be prepared to sacrifice her own well-being for Steven, just as Pearl had done for Rose countless times during the Gem War. Steven, Connie's "liege", is freaked out by the thought of Connie sacrificing her safety and self-worth for his sake and eventually gets through to her and Pearl by proving that it's better to fight together as a team, and gets Pearl to admit that Rose never devalued her and that she was just beating herself up]].

** ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': The climax is a battle with Prince Philip up against Maleficent to save Princess Aurora.

Subtrope to IdealHero. See also ShiningGoodness. Compare the gentleman's OldSchoolChivalry. Compare and contrast the DoggedNiceGuy. A white knight is an internet persona who wants to be this.

Historical knights were first and foremost professional soldiers. They usually were of BlueBlood -- or, if commoner-born, founders of a new noble family. [[note]]Similar professional, well-armed and armored soldiers capable of acting as heavy cavalry without belonging to the social class of knights also existed, the term for them was "man-at-arms". This term could also be applied to knights though - essentially, all knights were men-at-arms, but not all men-at-arms were knights.[[/note]] Their ''modus operandi'' was lance-armed heavy cavalry, which [[AttackAttackAttack charged the enemy in full gallop on closed ranks]]. They often were used dismounted as well, when they fought as heavy infantry, usually armed with [[BladeOnAStick enormous can-openers]] such as poleaxes or [[UsefulNotes/EuropeanSwordsmanship two-handed swords]]. A knight might also lead a group of common footsoldiers in battle.

** The titular character from ''ComicBook/{{Steel}}'' wears a cape and shining armor, wields a weapon, and is as moral and good as Superman himself.

* The Black Knight from ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'' is a literal one, though the first one was a villain. Black Knight II, however, plays it straight. Both are descended from a lineage of Black Knights that dates back to Arthurian times.

An OfficerAndAGentleman is the modern version of this trope -- ''very'' often even their direct genetic descendants as old [[BlueBlood noble families]] are ''grossly'' over-represented in all military academies around the world. With the notable exception of America, of course. Compare {{Samurai}}, which usually tends to be the Japanese equivalent of this trope.

A cultural trope in Europe since medieval times, most good knights practice something called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry chivalry,]] [[TheFettered Honor]], and [[EmotionsVsStoicism Self-Control]] and occasionally [[CelibateHero chastity]]. Prone to rescuing the DamselInDistress, or delivering her from [[MaliciousSlander false accusations]], often whilst bearing TheLadysFavour. The Knight in Shining Armor was a frequent carrier of TheDulcineaEffect: medieval {{Chivalric Romance}}s, indeed, portrayed knights who fell in love with a ''[[PeerlessLoveInterest princesse lointaine]]'' merely on hearing her described, without even seeing her - though his love and heroism usually [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan won her heart]]. Another occupational hazard is ChronicHeroSyndrome, [[KnightErrant Knights Errant]] being charged to WalkTheEarth righting wrongs until a worthy quest shows up. Oh, and he will SaveThePrincess, usually from [[DragonsPreferPrincesses dragons]].

** ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame|Disney}}'': Phoebus is more of this than his counterpart in the [[Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame source material]], being less prejudiced and willing to defy orders from a corrupt [[HangingJudge judge]] to rescue a family from a burning house.
** ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': The climax is a battle with Prince Philip up against Maleficent to save Princess Aurora.

** Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America epitomises the trope; noble, a superb warrior and deeply honourable, fighting for justice, most especially the protection of the oppressed (because he hates bullies), and pining after/mourning his lady love, he is frequently compared to King Arthur. He's also a NiceGuy who rescues kittens from trees, because of course he does. He is more ruthless than most examples, it has to be said, and has a certain hint of cynicism - plus, unlike most examples, he has [[spoiler:a child out of wedlock, with Peggy, Alison Carter - who had children and grandchildren of her own, much to Steve's shock when he finds out]]. This devastates him, because he feels that it was an ignoble act on his part, before being reminded (repeatedly) [[spoiler:that it takes two to tango, Peggy most certainly knew her own mind, and the rightful course is to stop avoiding his great-granddaughter, Carol, who idolised him and was deeply hurt by his rejection, no matter how understandable it was at the time]]. Nevertheless, it is not in the least bit surprising that he is knighted at the end of the first book, becoming part of the Order of the Garter.

* ''Fanfic/{{Greenfire}}: Inverted when the knight finds Greenfire and Rarity, it's the knight acting like a murderous bully, and it's the dragon who's attempting diplomacy and defending his lady.
* Gladion in ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainKnightOfTheOrangeLily'' aspires to be this, and he admires the [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland White Knight]] in being a chivalrous character. Unfortunately, the story deconstructs a lot of things that goes wrong with this, ranging from the training and nights Gladion slept in hotels, the fact that Gladion keeps seeing Lillie as a helpless princess stuck in a tower, or the fact that most of the problems could've been avoided if he told his mother about what happened with Lillie, Nihilego and Type: Null so much sooner.

!!Examples:

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'':
** The Skull Knight doesn't do a lot of lady-charming (he ''did'' rescue a [[HookerWithAHeartOfGold damsel]] in distress once), preferring to act as a MysteriousProtector to Guts and Casca, but he's perhaps the closest thing so far to a Knight in Shining Armor in the ''Berserk'' universe, particularly when he [[spoiler:[[BigDamnHeroes saves Guts and Casca from being finished off by Femto (Griffith's Godhand self) and the Godhand at the end of the Eclipse]]]]. Fan rumor is rampant that the guy is [[spoiler:Emperor Gaiseric, the guy who unified Midland]], who may have gone through [[spoiler:a similar ordeal when Void was incarnated as a Godhand]], explaining [[spoiler:his stone-cold hate for the Godhand in general]]. And the guy is a complete badass to boot.
** Griffith may be the leader of a mercenary company, and of common birth, but he very convincingly plays the role of the perfect knight. Most people say that the first time they saw him was like looking at a storybook hero come to life. He's AFatherToHisMen, wins battles for TheGoodKingdom of Midland, saves Princess Charlotte when she loses control of her horse, and shows impeccable manners at social functions. It also helps that he's a PrettyBoy who wears shining armor and rides a white-caparisoned horse. BeneathTheMask he is a more morally ambiguous and sometimes ruthless character. At the end of the Golden Age he pulls a FaceHeelTurn, and in the Millennium Falcon Arc he becomes a VillainWithGoodPublicity by returning to save Midland while cranking his Knight in Shining Armor act up.
** Azan the [[RedBaron Bridge Knight]] has a heroic disposition and combat competence [[OldSoldier despite being of middle age.]]
%%% How so?
%%%* ''Roleplay/RecordOfLodossWar'', Due to its ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' roots, plays this archetype straight.
* Uryū Ishida in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' is an Archer in Shining Armor. Very chivalrous and generally well mannered, has a weak spot for women, especially Orihime, also tried to protect Rukia when she was powerless and even spared the life of his female opponent, mercy he doesn't show to others of her kind. Contrary to his popular image he is also one of the most capable leading characters in the series, having fought tough opponents and held his own against enemies far stronger than himself. The Quincy, people of whom he is supposedly LastOfHisKind. also had a medieval Christian knight theme given to them by the author.
* ''Anime/CodeGeass'':
** Kururugi Suzaku subverts it; he initially seems like the perfect knight, but his attitude is formed partly by his own inherent idealism towards helping people and not letting the ends justify the means -- a problem, to say the least, in an alternate Japan occupied by [[TheEmpire Britannia]] that is also a site for several violent armed rebellions -- and partly by the repressed knowledge that [[spoiler:he himself is guilty of the very thing he loathes by killing his own father at the age of 10 to make Japan surrender and keep it from becoming a permanent war zone.]] His lack of punishment for having done it drove him into becoming a DeathSeeker that wants to die serving his ideals. Having acknowledged the memories fully halfway through the season, he freely admits to being selfish, hypocritical, and, in his own words, "despicable".
** Xing-ke plays the trope straight; an honorable and badass swordsman devoted body and soul to his empress. On the Britannian side, Gilbert G.P. Guilford is this for his own princess.
* Ame from ''LightNovel/DenpaTekiNaKanojo'' claims to have been this to Juu in a past life, and wants to continue this role in the present. Her taser works just as well as a sword would.
* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'': There is a large group of Digimon called the "Royal Knights". As the name would suggest, they are a group of thirteen [[PowerLevels Mega-level]] Digimon who all resemble a cross between a classic Knight and a [[HumongousMecha mecha]]. They are supposedly a group of "good guys" who work for the [[WorldTree God of the Digital World]], but every one of their appearances so far has introduced them as antagonists of the KnightTemplar or [[BrainwashedAndCrazy brainwashed]] variety. They're not all-exclusive to the group, though. A few of them have been partners to human characters in the series: Tai and Matt's Omnimon, and Takato/Guilmon as Gallantmon are two good examples. These ones weren't actual members of the Royal Knights, though-- they were just the same "species".
* Tamahome from ''Manga/FushigiYuugi''. Hotohori ''wants'' to be this [[TheDulcineaEffect to the Priestess]], but Miaka is more interested in Tamahome.
* Alucard is this to young Integra in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' when he saved her and is still her loyal bodyguard after she grew up.
* Mist from ''Manga/{{Knights}}'' does his best at this despite being a HeroWithBadPublicity, as well as being just a squire. He fits the trope better than all the other knights thus far.
* ''Franchise/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' has a female example in [[LadyOfWar Signum]].
* ''Manga/{{Monster}}'' has the female heroine, Nina Fortner, fantasize that her secret admirer must be her "prince on a white horse." When she is rescued by Tenma, she assumes the latter must be him. In reality, the anonymous "romantic" emails that have been sent to her were from [[spoiler:her twin brother Johan.]]
* In ''Manga/MyMonsterSecret'' the main characters' teacher Akari Koumoto has been holding onto the "prince on a white horse" fantasy for years, well into her ChristmasCake phase; though it's PlayedForLaughs like everything in the series, it's also seriously examined, since it's strongly implied that the entire reason Akari has never been in a relationship is because she's convinced herself that TrueLove will just fall into her lap one day so she doesn't actually ''need'' to do anything. On the other hand, the reason she has this particular fantasy in the first place is because as a child she'd always been either made fun of or treated like OneOfTheBoys due to her unnatural strength and height, and she just wants a man will treat her like a feminine woman rather than being scared of her.
* Mytho from ''Anime/PrincessTutu'', in his true form as the Prince from the fairytale the story revolves around, fits this trope almost perfectly (except he has no armor and rescues maidens while dancing on a magically formed pillar of flower petals). Also subverted with Fakir, who is the reincarnation of the Knight from the story but [[{{Jerkass}} doesn't behave]] like the stereotypical knight.
* Sayaka from ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' aspires to be this - her love interest in this case is Kyousuke, who used to play the violin until his hand was badly injured in an accident. When she contracts to become a MagicalGirl, her outfit (of the magical girls we see in the series, hers is the only one [[TheCape with a cape]]) and weapon of choice (swords) reflect this goal. In a series written by Creator/GenUrobuchi, this quickly leads to tragedy. [[spoiler:In a horrific twist, her Witch form, Oktavia von Seckendorff also reflects this by donning a knight armor, a three-eyed helmet, and a heart-shaped cape, symbolizing how her madness thoroughly corrupted her ideals]].
* Annelotte Kreutz from ''[[Anime/QueensBlade Queen's Blade Rebellion]]'' is a noble knight with a strong sense of justice.
* ''Manga/Reborn2004'' mentions this trope verbatim; with the way that Tsuna is constantly afflicted with the DulcineaEffect, the current Arc's BigBad Byakuran even {{lampshades}} this by mocking Tsuna, asking him if he's trying to be Uni's knight in shining armor.
* The eponymous ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' aspires to be this, initially entering the plot to avenge the honor of a friend and staying to RescueThePrincess. [[ArcWords But was that really such a good idea?]] The idea is gender-flipped, subverted, deconstructed, and reconstructed throughout the series.
* Mika of ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'' is affectionately dubbed as being this [[HoYay for Yuu]] given his constant DeclarationOfProtection about him, desire to save him above all else, and occasionally getting to carry him in a BridalCarry. Ferid even refers to Yuu as the [[InSeriesNickname precious princess]] that Mika wants to save and likens it to "love".
* ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' parodies this, and the PrinceCharming idea. Both Lina and Sylphiel have an image of a prince, noble, heroic, handsome, blond, clad in white, riding on a white charger. Then they meet Amelia's father, Phil, who technically fits almost all the requirements (except the blond hair and he is not handsome), but shatters Sylphiel's fantasy of a prince into tiny little pieces. Literally shatters. A piece of Lina's actually [[AnvilOnHead bonks her on the head]].
* ''Manga/SnowWhiteWithTheRedHair'':
** Mitsuhide Lowen is a knight, kind man and excellent swordsman who is [[UndyingLoyalty completely loyal]] to prince Zen who he is a retainer for. He also attracts a number of female admirers due to his personality and looks but avoids romance both through [[ObliviousToLove obliviousness]] and [[MarriedToTheJob his dedication to his job]] as Zen's protector. Zen's other initial retainer Kiki Serian reflects this trope as well, though her stoic unreadable nature and the fact that she will have to give up living as a just a knight to take over as head of her family makes her an interesting take.
** As a prince, Zen's expected to be proficient in swordsmanship, horseback riding, and chivalry. He demonstrates all of these skills in the first episode, when he saves Shirayuki from Prince Raj ''without unsheathing his sword.''
* ''LightNovel/StrawberryPanic'' has another female example with [[{{Bifauxnen}} Amane Ohtori]], the "Prince of Spica", who rides a white horse named "Star Bride", and even pulls off a knightly horseback rescue at one point.
* ''Manga/TisTimeForTorturePrincess'': A semi-recurring character is the knight Louch Brittan, who's doing his best to rescue the Princess. He... doesn't really live up to the image, being rather below-average in terms of looks. He does indeed mean well, though, and he only really fails because each "rescue" is performed in a way that makes the Princess not ''want'' to be saved by him. For example, she rejects his attempt to use a teleportation spell because you CantTakeAnythingWithYou and she would be left nude on the other side.
* Allen Schezar of ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'' is this from start to finish. He always does the right thing, even when it hurts. Plus, his armor is a HumongousMecha.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOhCapsuleMonsters'', Yami is this in Episode 10, using Black Luster Soldier as armor and wielding the Sword of Divinity.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* "Gotham's White Knight", District Attorney Harvey Dent in ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' is trying to help bring down the criminal empire in Gotham. [[spoiler:Sadly, he ends up turning into the demented Two-Face after a horrific accident that disfigures half of his face]].
* In ''Film/EllaEnchanted'' Prince Charmont gallantly saves Ella's life exactly three times, first from a speeding carriage, second from an ogre's boiling pot and then despite himself he has her back in the court battle.
* At the end of ''Film/EverAfter'' when Prince Henry shows up to "rescue" Danielle from Pierri Le Pieu.
* John Boorman's ''Film/{{Excalibur}}'' takes this pretty literally with Lancelot. In his first scene, his armor is buffed almost to a mirror finish. Lancelot's not the only one, however; all the knights seem to wear highly polished - and sharp edged - armor ''everywhere'' including bed. Including when they are entertaining company of the feminine kind. Oddly the women don't seem to mind. Maybe it's a fetish.
* Thomas Marshall in ''Film/{{Ironclad}}'' probably fits the mold the most within the story, being a Templar knight who is a ChasteHero constantly harassed by a lustful noblewoman and wearing white robes in contrast to the other knights. He agrees to defend the castle from the invaders and certainly displays the "I fight so you don't have to" attitude.
* The eponymous Leopold of ''Film/KateAndLeopold'' is a nobleman from 1876, swept into modern times, who believes that Kate requires a chaperone on her date with her boss so he offers to go with her to protect her from his obvious intentions. When she refuses, he tells her boss, "Some feel that to court a woman in one's employ is nothing more than a serpentine effort to transform a lady to a whore." Imagine the look on a purse-snatcher's face when Leo rides him down on horseback.
-->'''Leopold:''' I warn you scoundrel, I was trained at the King's Academy and schooled in weaponry by the palace guard. You stand no chance. When you run, I shall ride, when you stop, the steel of this strap shall be lodged in your brain. \\
''[bag snatcher [[KnowWhenToFoldEm throws down the bag and flees]], onlookers applaud]''
* Balian of Ibelin in ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven'' tries really hard to live up to this trope after being knighted by his father, which is specially difficult during UsefulNotes/TheCrusades while surrounded by religious fanatics and cuttroat nobles. Unfortunately, his morals get in the way of political pragmatism such as when [[spoiler:the king on his deathbed requests that he marries his sister (whom Balian loves) in order to prevent her marriage to the fiance, [[GeneralRipper Guy of Lusignan]], who will certainly plunge the Kingdom of Jerusalem into ruin with his [[WarHawk thirst for war]]]].
* William Thatcher in ''Film/AKnightsTale'' is determined to not only be a knight when he is in fact a peasant but to defeat his jousting opponents and win London's World Championship.
* ''Film/LadyHawke'': Captain Navarre has this down to the time period; a heroic and pious man who uses a sword to fight evil.
* Subverted for laughs in ''One Fine Day'' (1996):
-->'''[[Creator/GeorgeClooney Jack]]''': You're asking me for help?\\
'''[[Creator/MichellePfeiffer Melanie]]''': It would appear that way, wouldn't it?\\
'''Jack''': I'll agree if you'll say, "Jack, please be my knight in shining armor."\\
'''Melanie''': Jack, don't be a shithead, go rescue our kids.\\
'''Jack''': This is hard for you, isn't it?
* When Vivian of ''Film/PrettyWoman'' was a little girl, she would pretend she was a princess... trapped in a tower by a wicked queen. And then suddenly this knight... on a white horse with these colors flying would come charging up and draw his sword. And she would wave. And he would climb up the tower and rescue her.
* ''Film/PrinceCharming'', a 2001 made-for-television film starring Sean Maguire, is the story of a prince who gets turned into a frog because he dashingly rescues a damsel in distress who starts trying to [[RescueSex reward him]].
* The titular protagonist of the ''Franchise/RoboCop'' series is one modern example, though replace "shining" with "Kevlar/Titanium laminated", with nifty purple-on-blue highlights to boot. Despite his almost completely mechanical appearance, he will always uphold the law even if he has to do it by the book.
* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
** Jedi in general are a mix between (highly idealized versions of) knights and samurai. However, how much "knight" and how much "samurai" actually varies between cultures. Corellian Jedi, according to ''The Essential Guide to Warfare'' and ''Videogame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', are actually a lot closer to European knights than the mainline Jedi, being descended directly from those who swore oaths of fealty to a Jedi Lord during the darkest days of the [[Literature/DarthBane New Sith Wars]]. They're noted for being ''very'' [[LawfulStupid inflexible about the law and justice]].
** Jedi Knights in general are also supposed to be this (the word 'knight' ''is'' in their name after all) but as noted in the trope description, this is an ideal that not every member always lives up to. That being said, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'' will defy the council to to help supposedly "pathetic" life forms.
* In ''Film/TimeBandits'', knights appear in Kevin's bedroom. Then, at the end, one of the sets of champions the dwarfs bring to fight Evil is a group of knights.
* ''Film/TristanAndIsolde'' has the titular British knight, Tristan, who is in love with the fair Isolde.
* ''Film/WhatsEatingGilbertGrape'': Ever since his father committed suicide and his mother Bonnie became morbidly obese out of depression, Gilbert had to become the man of the house taking care of everybody, especially his developmentally disabled little brother Arnie, whom nobody should mess with unless they want Gilbert's wrath. He isn't perfect, and sometimes chafes at everybody depending on him so heavily, but when all's said and done he loves his family. Towards the end of the movie, Bonnie gratefully tells him, "You're my knight in shimmering armor." "You mean shining," he says. "No, shimmering. You shimmer."
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* The Knights of Khryl in ''Literature/TheActsOfCaine'' have this reputation as an order, which makes it all the more depressing in that their membership consists of individuals who either count as this, or KnightTemplar. ''Caine Black Knife'' reveals that Caine himself has a secret admiration for the Knights and their most exemplary members that dates back to the stories he enjoyed as a child (which is ironic since Caine is a CombatPragmatist and [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen the Knights' code of honour]] is a primary cause behind how he spends most of the novel kicking their asses).
* There are occasional references to upstanding men as this trope in the ''Literature/AuntDimity'' series, especially when they demonstrate their goodness openly. Also, among Lori and Bill's wedding gifts is a portrait of Bill on horseback and wearing armour--and his glasses.
* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': Count Trego may act like a jerk due to his rather backward worldview, but a common lout he is not. As a nobleman, he usually minds his manners and treats other people with courtesy, even if — in his own eyes — they are inferior to him due to social standing. While he does act grumpy and offended by Endysia's presence at a strategic meeting, once she greets him in his own language, he is immediately embarrassed, recognizing the fact that he behaved like a boor. He is also a valiant warrior, always ready to fight in the first line with other knights.
* In Creator/PatriciaAMcKillip's ''Literature/TheBellAtSealeyHead'', Princess Ysabo's home also has many knights, and part of her prescribed ritual is to perform certain services for them, filling cups with wine. She is [[ArrangedMarriage told she must marry one]], and when she asks why, the knight hits her. [[spoiler:However, this turns out to be a false knight, not even human. The [[CleverCrows crows]] she feeds every day as part of the ritual [[ForcedTransformation are in fact the true knights]], and when restored, they behave in a much more knightly manner.]]
* ''Literature/{{Bolo}}'': The eponymous [[TankGoodness supertanks]] of Creator/KeithLaumer's series are intentionally programmed with this notion in mind.
* ''Literature/AConnecticutYankeeInKingArthursCourt'': Subverted. Knights are portrayed as little more than wandering bullies who picked fights with each other or even defenseless passersby for no reason. The tales of their heroic deeds are entirely fabricated (and absurd on their faces, leading the main character to marvel at how nobody picks up on the implausability of it), and the story features a lengthy description of how uncomfortable the main character is when he is put in his own shiny armor to go on his own quest. Arthur nevertheless proves himself noble in a situation entirely unrelated to combat: having taken refuge in a peasant's home, Arthur and his companions learn no one goes near it because the occupants are dying of the pox, with the daughter upstairs and the mother too weak to see her off. The king, without a word, leaves the room and is heard going upstairs.
* In Creator/JohnCWright's ''Literature/CountToTheEschaton'' series, ''The Hermetic Millennia'' has the frozen Knights Hospitallar wake when the Tombs need protection.
* Anthony Woodville is portrayed as this in Philippa Gregory's ''Literature/TheCousinsWarSeries''. While Anthony is a genuinely good man who really does fit this trope, he's often dragged down by the turmoil, the conflict-ridden surroundings, and the far less upstanding people around him.
%% * ''Literature/DarwinsSoldiers'': Sir William is an English knight.
* ''Literature/TheDeedOfPaksenarrion'': Played straight with the eponymous character in the trilogy by Creator/ElizabethMoon. Paks is intentionally designed to be a Paladin from ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' (see below), written after seeing so many LawfulStupid Paladins at conventions. Also literally true: the armor worn by paladins will gradually become more lustrous whether or not they actively polish it. The gods have decreed that paladins imply shining armor.
* In ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', Carrot Ironfounderson is an urbanized version, right down to the well-polished City Watch breastplate.
* ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' has the Solamnic knights from Dungeons&Dragons ''Dragonlance'' setting. In particular, Sturm Brightblade holds to the Oath and Measure upheld by his father, even though [[spoiler:he was never actually knighted]] and most people he knows hold the order in scorn.
* In ''Literature/{{Dragonvarld}}'', King Edward of Idlyswylde is inspired by stories about these, and wants to fill this role himself. He gets a chance, because there's a dragon to drive off and the fair Melisande to rescue. He doesn't succeed (since the dragon [[spoiler:was play-acting]] and Melisande [[spoiler:ends up raped and dead]]), but it's not really his fault.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
** Harry Dresden, despite his continual disbelief at the concept, is a Wizard version of this. He isn't a firm believer in God, but holds to the "Tao of Peter Parker." He has great power and with it comes great responsibility. He will fight the monsters of the dark with all he has. While he will work with evil at times, he will never submit to it. He endures [[spoiler:a shadow of a Fallen Angel whispering in his ear for ''years'' when no shadow has taken at most days, or weeks to make the person fall]]. His good heart and stubborn determination [[spoiler:changes the shadow herself into something new, and should Harry have taken the coin at that point, would have been killed by the Fallen]]. Indeed, it goes even further than that: [[spoiler:her HeroicSacrifice to save him is a sufficient ActOfTrueLove to actually produce a child of both their minds, a Spirit of Intellect. Which Harry is technically pregnant with. Cue Murphy laughing so hard she can't breathe]].
** The [[ThePaladin three Knights of the Cross]] are this too. Bearers of holy blades, each blade has one of the Nails that pierced Jesus Christ, and reflect one particular virtue, Hope, Faith, and Love, respectively. The Knights, male or female, are bound by His codes. Their jobs are not to kill the hosts of the Fallen Angels, but offer them redemption. Should they violate this, or break their word, harm an innocent, or other corruptible act, it threatens the very nature of the Sword and risks depowering it at best, or breaking it at worst. [[spoiler:That said, nothing is lost forever and there is always hope the Sword can be reforged at the right place and at the Right time]]. They do not recruit people, nor do they force them to serve for their lives. Many Knights have taken up the Sword to help with one Crisis and set them down, no consequences upon them.
*** Michael Carpenter even meets his wife by saving her from a fire-breathing dragon. While he is an idealist, [[GoodIsNotDumb he isn't dumb.]] He can work many things out in time and plan accordingly. Even though it pains him, when he gets a call, he will [[LovedINotHonorMore depart from his family]], trusting Him to keep them safe.
*** Sanya is the Atoning Knight in Shining Armor as he was once host to one of the Fallen, but a moral epiphany freed him from the demon's clutches. He wields the Sword of Hope, bringing it to the world and helping save many people.
* Creator/DavidEddings
** ''Literature/TheElenium'' trilogy:
*** Sparhawk fits the spiritual heroism of this trope even as he rejects its superficial aspects. Ironically, Sparhawk's own mental image is the aging, weather-beaten, not-especially handsome professional soldier he is, rather than a romantic hero, and the affections of his formerly DistressedDamsel wife were at first a source of considerable guilt, as she is almost half his age. His armor, by the way, like all knights of the Pandion order, is far from shining; it's enameled black.
*** Downplayed with Sir Bevier and by extension the rest of the Cyrinic Knights from the same series who are ''literal'' Knights in Shining Armor. The Cyrinic Knights polish their armor to a mirror finish as opposed to the Pandions, and the other two orders of Church Knights go with unadorned dull steel.
** ''Literature/TheBelgariad'':
*** Sir Mandorallen from David Eddings's ''Literature/TheBelgariad'' saga (and its sequel, the ''Malloreon'' saga) is a textbook example of the Knight in Shining Armor; he embodies this trope, both outwardly and inwardly. Complete with a tragic chivalric love-from-afar affair. Eddings lampshaded the heck out of the trope, though: Mandorallen is heroic, brave and fearless, unbeaten in combat, honorable, truthful, and so on and so on. The first time in his life that he suddenly felt real fear (when he faced a magical opponent that he couldn't defeat) let to a kind of nervous breakdown, a self-doubt of epic proportions during which Mandorallen developed phobophobia, a paralyzing fear of being afraid. He eventually got over it, with the help of his friends, culminating in a moment when he ''kills a lion with his bare hands''.
*** The other characters routinely tended to poke gentle fun of Mandorallen's utter dedication to chivalry, wondering to each other if he actually has any brains (answer: yes, to an extent. However, he has absolutely no common sense whatsoever) and people who met him for the first time kept asking "Is this guy for real?" and "Did he really just charge the enemy? He's going to die!" -- "No he isn't. He's Mandorallen." Everything you need to know about Mandorallen is summed up in this exchange from ''Castle of Wizardry'', wherein Mandorallen is escorting the Rivan Queen out to the center of a field to address over fifty thousand heavily-armed, potentially hostile soldiers during a ''very'' tense diplomatic stand-off. It's important to note that Mandorallen is speaking here with ''absolutely no irony whatsoever'':
---->'''Mandorallen:''' We are some distance from our own forces, your Majesty. I pray thee, be moderate in thine address. Even I might experience some difficulty in facing the massed legions of all Tolnedra.
*** In the sequel series, he suggests to the rest of [[FiveManBand Big Guy Band]] - all barred from involvement this time around by the strictures of prophecy - that they should help their friends indirectly. Specifically, by going to Mallorea, a continent ruled by a single almighty Empire, and ''take on the entire Mallorean army''. Barak, the OnlySaneMan, just puts his head down on the table and cries.
* Galahad, from ''Literature/AnElegyForTheStillLiving'' initially appears to be one of these. But when the time comes for him to fight the dragon, he reveals that it is unbeatable and that [[DeathSeeker he only went there to die.]]
* In ''Erl of Toulouse'', a queen is saved by a champion after two knights falsely accuse her of infidelity for refusing their advances.
* Each of ''Literature/TheFaerieQueene'''s protagonists are mighty knights who achieve great feats of strength, but are more praised for their virtue. Each is chaste, active, slow to anger, kind, and humble even as gods of greed, beautiful sorceresses, and suicidal monsters try to corrupt them.
* In ''Literature/{{The Guardians|MeljeanBrook}}'', Hugh was a medieval knight sincerely striving towards honor and chivalry when he met Lilith. She taunts his naiveté by nicknaming him "Sir Pup". He was rewarded for his life of honesty with the [[PersonalityPowers Gift]] of [[LieDetector lie detection]].
* In Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''Literature/HaveSpaceSuitWillTravel'', Kip has a dream featuring knights in shining space armor (and dragons and Arcturian maidens among its tamer elements). Afterward, he insists on preceding Peewee out of the cell like a proper knight, and after a failure regards himself as not a knight, but a soda jerk.
* ''Literature/{{Horseclans}}'': Sir Geros Lahvoheetos, a gentleman's valet who earns a knighthood and myriad other honours through his chivalry and courage. Honest, humble and kind to others, convinced of his own cowardice - because in his eyes wetting himself in terror outweighs such suicidal courage as running into a blazing inferno to rescue a wounded comrade pinned beneath debris.
%%* In Creator/JulieKagawa's ''Literature/TheIronKing'', the five sent to catch Ash and Meghan. Their chief chivalrous trait is their absolute loyalty.
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Siron Esrah is a chivalrous nobleman who insists on propriety and protecting the Crown Princess. His introduction is during a joust.
* ''Literature/TheKnightInRustyArmor'': The Knight is this twenty-four hours a day. [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] as he only does this because [[IJustWantToBeLoved he'll be appreciated by others for it]]. Indeed, the armor is also a metaphor for hiding what's BeneathTheMask, and when he sheds it, so he does this trope]].
* ''Literature/TheLordOfBembibre'': Don Álvaro, the titular lord of Bembibre, is a -literal- Templar Knight. He strives for behaving honorably -even when it causes him personal suffering-, being loyal to God, faithful to his lady and kind to his servants.
* In ''Literature/LeMorteDarthur'', written by Thomas Malory, [[Myth/ArthurianLegend many characters]] are subversions in that they all had glaring flaws: King Arthur, usually portrayed as TheGoodKing, had an early NiceJobBreakingItHerod moment and later [[spoiler:is struck down by Mordred]] because he was too enraged to heed a prophetic dream; the wise mentor Merlin was a DirtyOldMan and met his doom because of it; Gawain, while on the Quest for the Sangreal (Holy Grail), refused to do penance and [[WhatTheHellHero was rebuked by hermits and disembodied voices alike for his homicidal ways]]; the great Lancelot was an adulterer who had an affair with Arthur's wife, Guinevere, and failed in the Sangreal Quest due to his unstable virtue. Indeed, the Sangreal Quest itself shows, and was meant to show, how all these noble knights, great in the world, fell short spiritually. The only knight allowed to achieve the Sangreal was [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Galahad]], who exemplified the knightly ideal. Galahad is described as a flawless creature because he was intended to represent knightly perfection. There is an unused chair at the Round Table that will kill any who sit in it, except the one destined to find the Sangreal. Galahad introduces himself to Arthur by sitting in it. Arthur then takes him to a stone with a sword sticking out of it that can only be pulled by the best knight in the world. Galahad pulls it. Arthur announces a jousting tournament. Galahad beats everyone he faces. The text makes several remarks on his virtue (that he's still [[VirginPower a maid]], that he doesn't [[BloodKnight wantonly kill]]), and he achieves the Sangreal, eventually being allowed to ascend up to Heaven.
* ''Literature/TheOnceAndFutureKing'' points out the issues with Galahad being the perfect knightly ideal. is ''too'' perfect, almost invariably coming off as distant and self-righteous, to the point of being outright inhuman. He discomforts and annoys his fellow knights as a result, and comes off as rather less likeable than the similarly righteous (but more human) Sir Percival.
* In ''Living Alone'' by Stella Benson, one silly woman describes herself as fighting spiritually against the Germans as this.
-->''"Yes, I was," persisted Miss [=MacBee=]. "I lay on the hammock which I have had slung in my cellar, and shut my eyes, and loosed my spirit, and it shot upward like a lark released. It detached itself from the common trammels of the body, yes, my spirit, in shining armour, fought with the false, cruel spirits of murderers."''
* In Creator/JackCampbell's ''Literature/TheLostStars'' series, the ''Tarnished Knight'' novel leads up to the TitleDrop, Iceni reflects that she doesn't have this, but she may have a somewhat more tarnished version.
* In Creator/DevonMonk's ''Literature/MagicToTheBone'', Allie plays with this, speaking of looking for police in shining armor and the like.
* In Creator/ErinMorgenstern's ''Literature/TheNightCircus'', Bailey draws the Knight of Swords, showing a knight charging, sword drawn.
* In Creator/JohnHemry's ''Literature/PaulSinclair'' novels, Jen refers to Paul as this, repeatedly. Her father ironically observes that he expected to need sunglasses while meeting him.
* Despite his anti-hero tendencies, the titular character of ''Literature/PhilipMarlowe'' is explicitly compared, by Creator/RaymondChandler, to a knight in shining armor.
* ''Literature/TheQueensFool'' portrays Lord Robert Dudley as this. He rides to battle in the war against France to show the Queen his loyalty after he loses all his lands. He also remains respectful towards Hannah after she refuses him, and remains cool with his wife when she accuses him of cheating on her.
* In ''Literature/TheQueensThief'' series, Costis in ''The King of Attolia'' is an example. Not only does he have "a sense of honor as wide as a river," but he actually spends quite some time hoping that his armor is shiny enough for the King's critical eye.
* In Creator/LJagiLamplighter's ''Literature/RachelGriffin'' series, ''The Raven, the Elf, and Rachel'' novel features a princess's vision where she sees two sets of these standing (with some allies) against the HorsemenOfTheApocalypse. They are referred to as Saracen knights and paladins, so they appear to be from the Matter of France -- and in an EnemyMine situation.
* ''Literature/TheRoyalDiaries'' series has Eleanor crushing on a knight in ''Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine'', and she wants him to be her bodyguard. Once when they are attacked, Clotaire the Strong pulls her into his saddle, and races her back to the safety of the castle.
* In ''The Last Hero'', one of the earlier novels (1931) of ''Literature/TheSaint'' series, Simon Templar takes a back seat to his gallant and tragic associate Norman Kent, who falls in love hopelessly with Templar's girlfriend Patricia Holm (who hardly notices him) and at the end of the book sacrifices his life to let Templar and his other comrades-in-arms escape the current villain and fight again another day. A book called "Knights Errant of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries" by Caroline Whitehead and George [=McLeod=] says it all: "Norman Kent is an archetypal knight-errant. Though formally a man of 20th Century England, he lives (and dies) by the Code of Chivalry. He loves totally his Lady, Patricia Holm -- who, like Don Quixote's Dulcinea, is not aware of that love. He is totally loyal to his Liege Lord, Simon Templar. Like Sir Gawain in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", Norman Kent takes on the threats to his Lord. Not only physical threats to life and limb, but also the sometimes unavoidable need to take on dishonourable acts which would have reflected badly on the reputation of King Arthur/Simon Templar is taken on, wholly and without reservation, by Sir Gawain/Norman Kent."
* ''Literature/SaintGeorgeAndTheDragon'' which came from the poem in ''Literature/TheFaerieQueene'': The Red Cross Knight is champion for Princess Una, traveling with her to slay the dragon which has been terrorizing her land. He makes certain that she's well back from harm when the battle begins. After the king rewards him, he says [[HumbleHero never to forget the poor]] and gives away the gifts. He does accept Una as his wife and inheriting the king's crown however.
* Frank Yerby's ''The Saracen Blade'' describes the hero's friend Gautier of Montrose as "a true knight" and specifically states he was "one of the few" who lived up to the best ideals of knighthood and did a bit to redeem [[UsefulNotes/TheCrusades the period]] from savagery.
* Subverted in ''Literature/SecondApocalypse''. When Esmenet is about to get stoned by some ignorant villagers, she's rescued by a dashing holy knight called Sarcellus. However, it turns out that Sarcellus is not at all what he appears to be.
* In ''Sir Tryamour'', there's Sir Barnard, who rescues the queen after she's attacked by men sent by an evil steward during her infidelity-imposed exile. Then there's the titular character, Sir Tryamour, who goes above and beyond to defend both his lands from Germany's armies, and the honor of Princess Helen, who is seven in this story.
* Creator/JohnMoore's ''Slay and Rescue'' has a prince literally named Charming, sent by his father's chancellor to rescue fair maidens all over the place (the theory is that it keeps him too busy to try to take over the throne).
* ''Literature/SongAtDawn'': Dragonetz left for the Second Crusade as one of these; full of confidence in Christendom and Chivalry.
* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': While the series often subverts and even deconstructs the trope, it does contain a few straight examples:
** Though she has some aspects of a KnightInSourArmor, Brienne of Tarth is mostly this trope played as straight as you can get (being a woman in a job otherwise held solely by men notwithstanding). She suffers from deep insecurities, and is struggling to reconcile the ideal of what knights should be with what most are... hence, some of the sour touches. Yet, she nevertheless [[{{Determinator}} shows]] the boys how it ''should'' be done. Heck, it rubs off on ''Jaime''.
** Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of Morning, was this as well. Eddard Stark considers him to be the best knight he ever met, and everyone recognizes him as the greatest knight of his time. Jaime idolized him in his youth and considers the day he witnessed Arthur's fight against the [[BloodKnight Smiling]] [[AxCrazy Knight]] one of the best moments of his life. Jaime in a moment of self-reflection wonders how the boy who wanted to become the Sword of Morning became the Smiling Knight instead.
** In the prequel novella series ''Literature/TalesOfDunkAndEgg'', the titular Ser Duncan the Tall is a HumbleHero, but he might well be one of the most down-to-earth decent knights in Westerosi history. His rise to infamy in the first story, [[spoiler:defending a common puppeteer from a murder attempt by the King's grandson]] has everyone calling him "a knight who remembered his vows", which is treated as a rarity. His ethics have a lot to do with his humble upbringing as a former street urchin brought up as a hedge knight's squire. These qualities have a lot to do with he gets the future Aegon V ('Egg') as his squire, producing arguably the most fundamentally decent King that Westeros ever saw.
** While not a knight due to his religious affiliations, Ned Stark is a member of the comparable Northern social class of landed warrior elite and has a set of rigid moral standards that he adhere to. He wages a war against the ruling family in part to rescue his kidnapped sister, a DamselInDistress held in a tower.
** Minor character Ser Garlan Tyrell, called Garlan the Gallant, is a tall, handsome and superlative swordsman who exhibits a lot more morality in his brief page-time than most other characters in the series.
* Fermi Amati of ''Literature/SpiceAndWolf'' is actually a very successful merchant, but he offers a not-so-small ''fortune'' to alleviate the debts of the pagan wolf deity/traveling nun Horo, and rescue her from Lawrence. He'd only seen her twice when he made the decision, and he presents his intention with a written contract and a proclamation in front of a small crowd. Horo points out he's not really in love with ''her'', so much as the idea of rescuing a beautiful DamselInDistress in a knightly way.
%% * As an adaptation of the Arthurian legends, Gerald Morris's ''Literature/TheSquiresTales'' naturally features this.
* Dalinar from ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' is this to the core, and encourages his eldest son to be. This usually causes him to be regarded as an eccentric or fuddy-duddy by the other characters. Also, in the {{Backstory}} of the setting, the aptly named Knights Radiant were knights in [[PowerGlows literal shining armour]].
** Also note that the armor ''stops'' being shiny if you aren't worthy of it, and a few times when Dalinar is being particularly heroic, ''his'' armor starts glowing.
* Guy Crouchback in ''Literature/SwordOfHonour'' by Creator/EvelynWaugh consciously sees himself as a throwback to this. As one of the points is that no one else is honorable, perhaps he is also a KnightInSourArmor. But despite that, he fits the mold.
* This is enforced for Tortallan knights in the ''Literature/TortallUniverse'' by nobles sending their would-be knight sons to a central training school in the nation's capital, where they are taught chivalric values along with the arts of war. Although it doesn't always take, the eight-year training is concluded with an overnight trial in the Chamber of the Ordeal. The Chamber is inhabited by a godlike entity which hammers a person's psyche until they survive or break. This doesn't stop them from becoming corrupt later (nor does it make a JerkAss become nice), but it does weed out the truly heinous. Unfit squires have gone mad or run away, or have their crimes brutally exposed, and one character is killed outright. It's noted that one job of a training master is to spot when a youth is unfit for knighthood and end his training well before they can be broken in the Chamber.
* There's a rather nice paladin in ''[[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms The Threat from the Sea]]'' trilogy [[spoiler:(never mind that he once was pious enough to carry the symbol of his divine patron... and then hurl it to sea)]], but though he eventually acquires a mount (''[[HorseOfADifferentColor sort of]]''), he never wears heavy armor [[spoiler:(after all, he's a ''seaman'')]]. Complemented with the usual chivalric knight for contrast. There were more traditional stiff ones (including some protagonists) in ''The Pools'' trilogy. And now there's ''[[http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Thornhold Thornhold]]'' featuring Knights of Samular who "seems to think that [[http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Harpers Harpers]] and [[http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Zhentarim Zhents]] are fit to stew in the same pot" (which ''seems'' right to some extent) but ''seems'' not to be any less fit for the same pot themselves. They have an agent of a ChaoticEvil church among them.
* In Creator/PoulAnderson's ''Literature/ThreeHeartsAndThreeLions'', the hero Holger is thrown in a world where the Matter of France, Charlemagne and his paladins, is fact, and both becomes a knight himself, and meets up with knights. The three hearts and three lions of the title are the coat of arms on his shield. The Paladin class of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' is primarily inspired by the paladins from this story. [[spoiler:It's revealed in the end that he truly is one of Charlemagne's Paladins--he's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogier_the_Dane Ogier the Dane]]]]
* In Creator/SusanDexter's ''The True Knight'', Titch has a few flaws but meets the requirements -- short of being actually knighted. [[spoiler:Wren, nevertheless, pleads at the end that he is the best knight the duke will ever meet.]]
%% * Sir Nigel Loring, of ''Literature/TheWhiteCompany'', fits this to the letter.
* Prince Merik Nihar of ''Literature/TheWitchlands'' is a {{Deconstruction}}. Merik is a kind, noble, self-sacrificing man who doesn't hesitate to literally fly headfirst into trouble if it means saving others. Unfortuanately, ''because'' he's so noble and heroic, he's grown conceited and firmly convinced that he's his homeland's only hope for a better future.
* Up as a possible modern-era TropeCodifier is Wilfred of Ivanhoe from ''{{Literature/Ivanhoe}}''. A brave and valiant knight returning from crusade. Who is determined to protect those in need, support his king and adhere strongly to the code of chivalry.

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* [[TheAce The Groosalaugg]] from ''Series/{{Angel}}'', although he ditches the shining armor shortly after moving to LA.
* Alistair in one episode of ''Series/AsTimeGoesBy'' shows up dressed as a Knight in Shining Armor to help him win Judy's affection.
* Jamie Reagan in ''Series/BlueBloods'' is a cop not a knight but plays to this trope in the sense of dedicating his live to protecting [[OrderVersusChaos order]], being loyal to his family and comrades, [[WeHelpTheHelpless helping the helpless]] and in general putting [[HonorBeforeReason honor]] ''way'' before reason. And wearing a [[BlingOfWar cool uniform]]. Call him a Knight in shining blue cloth.
* ''Series/{{Bones}}'': Angela refers to Booth as a "knight in shining FBI standard-issue body armor".
* One is summoned by accident in ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'', thanks to Paige.
* [[Series/TheDailyShow Jon Stewart's]] sudden appearance on ''Series/TheColbertReport'' to save [[Creator/StephenColbert Stephen]] from utter humiliation at the hands of Conan O'Brien, with the now-famous shout of "Don't you do it, boy!", has been referred to as the 'knight in shining Armani' moment by fans, (ordinarily, he's much more of a ButtMonkey.)
* Sir Thomas Grey, 'Quite the Knight of the Realm' as an outlaw observes in one episode of ''Series/CovingtonCross''. Sir Thomas' sons, William, Richard, and Cedric, are aspiring knights - as is his only daughter! On the other hand his eldest son wants to be a cook...
* ''Series/CriminalMinds'': In the first season finale the Un Sub is suffering from the delusion that Reid and the team are this. It's also been stated in the special features that they attempt to write stories about knights in shining bulletproof vests, and end up with what the show is.
* ''Series/DoctorWho''
** In "The Girl in the Fireplace": The Doctor does a SuperWindowJump on a white horse to save the lady from evil. The chivalrous parallel is increased by the fact that in doing so, he's trapping himself in time.
** The Doctor takes up a [[{{BFS}} big sword]] in a duel to decide the fate of Earth as the planet's champion during "The Christmas Invasion".
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Ser Loras Tyrell (see Literature above) literally has the shiniest armor in Westeros, at least in the first season, and apart from some CombatPragmatism, acts the part of this trope. By the second season, his armor becomes rusty and dirty, expressing [[KnightInSourArmor his increasing cynicism]], and he does not smile as much. Although Loras is not romantically interested in Sansa, his adherence to knightly ideals plays a part in wanting to rescue her from the hell she's in, and he willingly enters into an [[spoiler:ArrangedMarriage]] with the girl so that [[spoiler:he can whisk her away to Highgarden]]. Say what you will of his grandmother's and sister's ulterior motives, but Loras is more honourable than that. He understands that King's Landing is a terrible place for Sansa, and he sees her as a DamselInDistress who is held prisoner by the "monster" Joffrey. Unfortunately for his non-yaoi {{Fangirl}}s, he's gay.
** Jaime Lannister ''looks'' exactly like this, but is actually a BloodKnight reviled as TheOathbreaker. As his physical state degrades, however, he actually starts trying to live up to the trope.
** Barristan Selmy arguably fits this trope the best, and is presented as something of a paragon of a by-gone age. This becomes especially clear after he joins Daenerys, and his advising her to morally correct choices contrasts with Jorah's more coldly pragmatic suggestions.
** Along with Barristan Selmy and Loras Tyrell, Brienne of Tarth comes closest to being one and plays this trope quite straight, despite being denied knighthood because of her gender, though her actual armour in Season 4 is black. She's dedicated, an excellent fighter, unwaveringly loyal, protective of the weak, noble and good-hearted.
** Sandor Clegane so despises this trope that he refuses knighthood even when he joins the previously knights-only order of the Kingsguard.
** The loyal Stark retainer Rodrik Cassel is a strong, loyal, and honorable OldSoldier and one of the few official knights in the North, though he lacks in actual shining armor.
** Davos Seaworth is not a straight example, because he doesn't wear armor, but he's one of the very few unambiguously good non-Stark characters and is a knight. It's thus a welcome development that he has now become the leading retainer of the resurgent Kingdom of the North, together with Brienne.
** The gilded armor Gregor Clegane wears as Kingsguard member is clearly meant to invoke this. Unfortunately, this character ''utterly'' averts this.
** Jorah Mormont is not nearly as straight an example as Barristan Selmy (indeed, his armor's a rather dull, functional grey, reflecting his pragmatism), but he's definitely got his moments. Also {{Reconstruction}} in his case, as he began the series as a rather self-centered manipulator (selling out the Targaryens, to whom he had sworn an oath, to Varys and King Robert in exchange for a pardon). But when he finds someone truly worthy of his loyalty, and whom he also loves (Daenerys) he drops it immediately, BecomingTheMask and a rock-hard Targaryen loyalist, not to mention upright, kind, and honest, while still being acceptably pragmatic and ruthless towards the Targaryens' enemies.
* In ''Series/HaveGunWillTravel'', Paladin, as the name suggests, although he wears what looks more like a villainous outfit if you go by traditional GoodColoursEvilColours. In some of the darker stories stories he can come off as more of a KnightInSourArmor, when dealing with more disgusting individuals his bitterness can shine through.
* In ''Series/{{House}}'', William admits that he's in love with his queen, Shannon, but out of respect for his honor code as a knight, he does not want to break up her relationship with her fiancé, Miles, in the episode ''Knight Fall''.
* The main reason Touma Kamiyama becomes a Kamen Rider at first in ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'' is to defend innocents from the Megid. He later becomes a more literal example of this when his first MidSeasonUpgrade turns him into a knight.
* Sheriff Cody Johnson, Creator/BrianThompson's character in the short-lived series ''Series/KeyWest'', was thoroughly one of these.
* Although not a literal knight David Shephard in ''Series/{{Kings}}'' fulfills all the other qualifications and as a soldier could be said to be the modern equivalent of a knight.
* ''Series/TheMandalorian'': In [[Recap/TheMandalorianS1E3Chapter3TheSin the third episode]], main character Din Djarin gets an upgrade to his armor that sees him clad in shiny [[FantasyMetals beskar]] just in time for him to heroically rescue The Child out of guilt for handing the infant over to the Imperial Remnant. In [[Recap/TheMandalorianS2E8Chapter16TheRescue "The Rescue"]] he becomes the rightful wielder of the Darksaber, adding a CoolSword to his equipment.
* Lancelot in ''Series/{{Merlin 2008}}'', albeit only briefly until he is thrown out for being a commoner. Meanwhile, Prince Arthur is becoming one, and part of the point of the series is Merlin helping Arthur become one. As of the end of series 3, Lancelot has been properly knighted as one of Arthur's new Round Table, as well as Gwaine, Elyan and newcomer Percival. Along with veteran knight Sir Leon, they all aspire towards this trope and prove their worthiness as knights at many points during the rest of the series.
* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'': Any of the Rangers, although they subvert it occasionally, usually with KnightInSourArmor.
** Fantasy buff Chip from ''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'' was thrilled to find out "knight" is an actual rank in the mystic realm and strives to reach it so he can be a knight in shining armor. [[SixthRanger Daggeron, the Solaris Knight]], fits the bill quite well already, though again, any Ranger tends to. However, Daggeron's the one who gives the most stereotypically "knightly" lines like "I'd rather die with honor than live without it." NobleDemon Koragg, also of knight rank, gives such speeches, but [[spoiler:it's actually his true self bleeding through the brainwashing; he actually doesn't want to fight the Rangers at ''all.'' His good alter-ego Leanbow taught Daggeron everything he knows.]]
** Other more literal knights include the second Magna Defender of ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'' (the original was a BlackKnight), Sentinel Knight of ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'', and Sir Ivan of ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge''. Robo Knight of ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'' was intended to be one, but programming flaws lead him to focus strictly on eliminating threats and not consider things like civilian safety, though he's getting better.
* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'': [[HerCodenameWasMarySue Sir Percival]] in the fairytale Perry Cox tells his son in a FormulaBreakingEpisode.
* ''Series/TheStrain'': Fed is big, strong, loyal to a fault, fearless to the point of insanity and pretty much smashed his way through a wall that separated him from his lover and team mate Dutch, then being tortured by a complete and utter monster. [[spoiler:Later on, when a badly traumatized Dutch is about to leave the team and him, he is visibly hurt. Instead of being bitter or making any reproaches, he accepts her choice and wishes her the best.]]
* ''Series/TinMan'': Cain's no knight, but he ''did'' vow to be the princess's protector. When the crew is riding to DG's rescue in part 3, he's got the white horse.
* Adam in ''Series/TheWanderer'' goes from cutthroat businessman to Knight in Shining Armor in a single episode. Handwaved by the fact he is reverting to the mindset of an earlier incarnation.
* ''Series/TheWhiteQueen'': Richard of Gloucester adheres to the code of chivalry during his adolescence and young adulthood, and this is remarked upon ("[George] has none of Richard's chivalry" / "[Edward] said I was a fool for chivalry"). Absolutely no one questions his devotion to King Edward IV, as Richard is always dutiful whether it's peacetime or war. He also defends Anne Neville at the Battle of Tewkesbury when several soldiers assault her, which evokes LadyAndKnight. However, Richard becomes a KnightInSourArmor in Episode 7 after he's disenchanted with the king's debauchery, and he's offended when Edward attempts to appease him by bribing him with gold. By Episode 8, Richard's moral compass is thoroughly broken when the opportunity to usurp the throne opens up to him.
* Prince Eric Greystone of ''Series/WizardsAndWarriors'' (the TV series, not the video games), golden haired and usually clad in gold lame. Honorable to the point of folly - or beyond. His even hunkier brother Prince Justin on the other hand is a total subversion of the Trope.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
* Myth/SaintGeorge: In the medieval legend, St. George kills a dragon, thereby saving a virginal princess, and aferwards refuses all material rewards but instead converts the locals to Christianity. Thus St. George the Dragonslayer embodies the ideal knight, as he is both an undaunted warrior and a saint who dedicates his martial prowess to helping the helpless and the promotion of Christianity.
* Saint James "Matamoros", from the myth of the Myth/BattleOfClavijo. He supposedy came down to help save 100 virgins that were given as tribute to the Caliphate.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''Franchise/BaldursGate'': The series had a few - brash but idealistic squire Anomen, relentlessly pious and judgmental Ajantis, and the old but still fighting Keldorn. Oddly enough, perhaps the most outspokenly classical example is a female halfling, Mazzy, who comes as close as a halfling can come to a paladin in a Second Edition-based game. The Knights of the Noble Order of Radiant Heart were an order of this trope, whom the protagonist could join if s/he was a paladin too.
* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' has Ludwig, the Holy Blade, as the closest thing one gets in a Gothic Horror setting. He was the first Church Hunter and the Ludwig's Holy Blade weapon was based on his personal sword. By all accounts, he was a genuinely decent person who honestly wanted to protect Yharnam and was completely open about the Beast plague. [[spoiler:He is fought as a boss in the DLC after he's succumbed to the Beast Scourge,... well, for the first half of the fight. For the second half, he'll [[RestorationOfSanity return to his senses]] and fight you with the Holy Moonlight Sword.]]
* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'': Cyrus in the English version. His apprentice Glenn takes on traits of this as well along with being a cursed knight. Not in the original Japanese version: LostInTranslation.
* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has Solaire of Astora and Oscar of Astora. Solaire is an honorable, friendly Warrior of the Sun, and Oscar was on a quest to ring the Twin Bells of Awakening. Siegmeyer of Catarina wants to be this, but is far too bumbling. Artorias ''used'' to be one, but [[spoiler:he was corrupted by the Abyss]] and is centuries dead by the time of the game.
** ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' has Siegward of Catarina, as a slightly less bumbling and more badass version of Siegmeyer, and Anri of Astora, who's on a quest to defeat a great evil and wears the Elite Knight set. Darkly subverted with Prince Lorian, though; he was ''originally'' this, but after he and his brother Lothric Linked the Fire, he was reduced to a brain-damaged brute unable to even stand upright, aiding his brother in rejecting the Linking of the Fire and becoming the last Lords of Cinder you fight. Also subverted with Holy Knight Hodrick, who probably ''used to be'' this, but has since gone AxCrazy and joined the Mound-Makers, becoming a threat to anything that crosses his path.
* One of the armor sets for the Titan class in ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'' resembles the armor of a knight and flashes a bright blue, befitting of Guardians renowned for being fearless protectors who embody strength and self-sacrifice.
* Balmung of the ''Franchise/DotHack'' series (all incarnations). While the setting of the series is an MMORPG, Balmung specifically investigates circumstances which could easily get him hurt in the real world. However, he has a strong moral code on issues of lesser significance, such as a strong distaste for hacking and player harassment. He also has a penchant for swooping in at the last moment to save other characters:
** In Sign, Balmung only appears in one episode, but rushes in to distract the Phase monster so that Subaru and company can escape.
** Similarly, Balmung's introduction in the video games has him chasing down another corrupted monster and trying to get Kite and [=BlackRose=] to run away.
** and in the Legend of Twilight manga, Balmung (Now a sysadmin) swoops down yet again and saves Rena, takes out the data bug, and disappears before they can even find his name. When the people he works for ban him from getting involved in this again, he quits his job and takes up arms on his own.
** His status as this in-universe even extends to [[spoiler:Newly born AI Aura taking his character template for use as an automated defender of the World.]]
* Typically for a LowFantasy setting, the ''Franchise/DragonAge'' games employ this trope:
** [[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins The Warden]], [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Hawke]], and [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition the Inquisitor]] can all fit the trope, if the player so chooses, especially in the warrior class. ''Inquisition'' even lets you craft ''literal'' shining armor for the character.
** Alistair in ''Origins'' is mostly this, being a tank warrior who works best in heavy armor and wielding a {{BFS}}; he's sweet, sensitive, and chivalrous. He's also the only party member (besides the dog) who cannot be forced or even asked to leave, due to his UndyingLoyalty to the only other Warden. If romanced, he adores his lady and presents her with a rose and some bashful speeches. On top of all that, he's also secretly a [[spoiler:PrinceCharming]], as you learn over the course of the story. Covers a lot of bases, does our boy Alistair.
** A rather novel version is found in the ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening Awakening]]'' expansion with the Spirit of Justice. A Fade Spirit based on the concept of Justice, it is eventually trapped in the corpse of a Grey Warden named Kristoff. It then joins your party as an [[DarkIsNotEvil Undead]] Knight in Shining Armor.
** Aveline from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is a gender-flipped version, complete with [[RescueRomance rescuing]] of her love interest.
** ''Inquisition'' has two among the Inquisitor's friends:
*** Warden-Constable Blackwall, who feels that part of being a Grey Warden is to be this trope. [[spoiler:Which is why [[DeadPersonImpersonation he pretends to be Warden-Constable Blackwall]] to [[TheAtoner atone for his sins]].]]
*** Cullen has transitioned from a traumatized Templar recruit to a good example of this trope. He's kind, honorable, and thoughtful. On the other hand, he is still troubled by recovering from his lyrium addiction, and is buried so deep in his work he sometimes forgets to be Cullen: human being. The other characters can help him improve in this vein a little; it's more pronounced if he's romanced.
* Erdrick/Loto's descendant from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' is one of the earliest examples for Japanese RPG history by saving a princess in distress and defeating an evil dragonlord ''[[OneManArmy on his own.]]''
* ''VideoGame/DualBlades'' has Duke Andre, a Christian knight who embarks on a journey to save his people from half-human/half-beast monsters as he is [[MissionFromGod guided by the voice of God]] according to his bio and literally wears a ''shining armor'', in fact one of his dislikes is said to be ''unpolished armor''.
* In ''Videogame/EldenRing'', there are many knights associated with the various demigods, but most of them are presented as either mercenaries or loyal servants of their respective demigod with no regard for morality or chivalric virtues. However, the clearest examples of this trope are the Erdtree Sentinels, who are knights clad in golden armor, riding enormous steeds, and are devoted to defending the titular Erdtree. The Erdtree itself is the source of the Golden Order, a divine law created by a being known as the Greater Will, which defines the laws of life and physics in the world, effectively making the Erdtree Sentinels into knights who defend the very laws of reality.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
** Throughout the series (at least until ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' did away with classes), "Knight" was a preset class. Knights get bonuses to the [[KnightlySwordAndShield Blade and Block]] skills, as well as [[MightyGlacier Heavy Armor]], Speechcraft, and Restoration, following the trope closely. The class description reads: "Of noble birth, or distinguished in battle or tourney, knights are civilized warriors, schooled in letters and courtesy, governed by the codes of chivalry. In addition to the arts of war, knights study the lore of healing and enchantment."
** Though outside of High Rock, the [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are better known for their magical prowess, he Bretons actually have a strong chivalric tradition and most city states have their own knightly order to that end, as most prominently seen in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]''. (Knights of the Rose in Wayrest, Knights of the Dragon in Daggerfall, as well as various Templar Orders such as the Order of the Hour who are dedicated to Akatosh, the God of Time, and the Knights Mentor, dedicated to the God of Knowledge.) Due to High Rock's [[DecadentCourt cutthroat politics]], how noble these knights actually are can vary wildly.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'''s ''Knights of the Nine'' expansion, the PlayerCharacter can found a new holy order of shiny-armored knights. Membership requires avoiding "Infamy" at all costs.
** From the series' backstory comes Pelinal Whitestrake, the legendary 1st Era hero of mankind who came to [[FounderOfTheKingdom St. Alessia]] to serve as her [[PhysicalGod divine champion]] in the war against the [[AbusivePrecursors Ayleids]]. Or, at least, that's how he is [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade remembered in Imperial dogma]] anyway. Pelinal subverts the trope, having ''also'' been a [[FantasticRacism racist]] [[TheBerserker berserker]] who would fly into fits of UnstoppableRage (''mostly'' directed at the Ayleids) during which he [[BloodSplatteredWarrior would be stained with their blood]] and [[PaintTheTownRed left so much carnage in his wake]] that Kyne, one of the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Divines]], would have to [[CueTheRain send in her rain]] to cleanse Ayleid forts and village before they could be used by Alessia's forces. In one infamous fit of rage, he ''damaged the lands themselves'', which nearly caused the divines to ''leave the world in disgust''.
* The Justice faction in ''VideoGame/EternalCardGame'', perhaps unsurprisingly, has many of these in its ranks.
* The ''Franchise/FateSeries'' has plenty of examples, several of whom were actual knights of the Round Table.
** To start with, there is ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'''s Saber, a LadyOfWar who believes whole-heartedly in honor and fair play. Fitting, considering she's [[spoiler:King Arthur/[[HistoricalGenderFlip Artoria]] Pendragon.]]
** ''LightNovel/FateZero'''s Lancer is very similar to the aforementioned Saber, and the two of them actually see each other as a WorthyOpponent and FriendlyEnemy because of that.
** Gawain is [[spoiler:the "most honorable knight" according to Artoria]], with being [[UndyingLoyalty undyingly]] [[HonorBeforeReason loyal]] and a bit of a [[ChivalrousPervert chivalrous pervert]]. [[spoiler:[[FailureKnight Turns out that part of the reason why he's so loyal is due to blaming himself for Artoria's death]]]]. Subverted in ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', [[spoiler:where he ends up [[MyMasterRightOrWrong following the evil Lion King]] [[TheAtoner due to his guilt over said death.]] However, the Gawain summoned by the Lion King is different than the one allied with the player, and the trope is again played straight in the SE.RA.PH arc.]]
** Sir Bedivere might be the shiniest of all of them. He's unfailingly chivalrous, loyal and an [[NiceGuy upstanding guy all around.]] And even with his HeroicSelfDeprecation, he's still a ''very'' impressive BadassNormal.
* The Brotherhood of Steel from ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' was founded to be a group of proud warriors that protect humanity from itself by securing and locking away any technology that could be used with disastrous results in the wrong hands. Many in the wasteland simply view them as holier-than-thou technophiles. They even have a caste referred to as the "Knights" that DependingOnTheWriter will either maintain the PowerArmor and laser weaponry that the Paladins use, or are warriors that serve under a Paladin.
** It's worth noting that power armor marked as Brotherhood armor, and thus disguises the player as a member of the faction in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' is notably cleaner looking than any other power armor in the game. Even the same set of non-faction armor will look rusted and dirty by comparison. FridgeBrilliance dictates that if your PowerArmor is well maintained, you must be Brotherhood. If your armor is all rusted out, you're probably just a scavenger that got lucky and found a functional suit in a cave somewhere. Guess where most, if not all non-faction power armor can be found.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** The Warrior of Light in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' takes the trope and runs with it. In fact, he's heroic, noble, unashamedly, unrepentantly, [[OverlyLongGag disgustingly]] chivalrous to the point of making his characterization seem a tad unrealistic. And it's justified too, [[spoiler:as a side effect of him originally being born as a clone without much emotions. He's extremely loyal to Cosmos because that's all he's ever known in life]].
*** As does [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]], but that rather goes without saying (though perhaps not as much as the Warrior).
** [[TheHero Cecil Harvey]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''. Indeed, his turn from [[BlackKnight the dark side]] to this is one of the driving forces behind and most emotionally satisfying part of the overarching plot.
** Steiner in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', to the point that he makes a clanking sound whenever he walks. He is also chivalrous to a fault, and is torn by his conflicting duties to [[AdiposeRex Queen]] [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Brahne]] and [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Garnet]].
** Basch in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII''. Lampshaded when [[EvilTwin Judge Gabranth]] wonders, in their final confrontation, how come Basch failed his motherland, and then the kingdom who took him in, but is still the one who keeps his sense of honor of the two.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'':
** Parodied with Sain in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade The Blazing Blade]]'', who acts like this [[ChivalrousPervert just so he can get women]]. The only result is that his comrade, Kent, repeatedly tells him to drop it and get back to work.
** Played straight as an arrow with Seth from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones The Sacred Stones]]'', Geoffrey from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Path of Radiance]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]]'', and Kent himself for that matter.
** Camus and Arran from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light]]'' explore the more tragic aspects of this trope:
*** Camus ends up having to choose between his love and his country, ending up going with the latter. This results in him being left for dead and his love being stuck in a loveless ArrangedMarriage. When he returns as Sirius in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem Mystery of the Emblem]]'', he devotes himself to saving Nyna, but in the end, [[spoiler:even though he's able to snap her out of being BrainwashedAndCrazy, he resigns himself to the fact he can't be with her, and leaves, never to return]].
*** Meanwhile, a case of MyGreatestFailure has led Arran to continue to adopt this persona [[spoiler:even while terminally ill, as a way of [[FaceDeathWithDignity Facing Death with Dignity]]]].
* ''VideoGame/ForHonor'' has the Knights of the Iron Legions as one of its three factions, yet the only Knight class that approaches this trope is [[HeroesPreferSwords the Warden]], who looks the most like the classic interpretation of a knight, wields a longsword, and serves as the viewpoint character for their chapter [[spoiler:and afterwards ends up leading a resistance movement of the other Legions against [[BigBad Apollyon and her Blackstone Legion]].]] Still, they don't wear full-on shining plate armor as the trope usually goes, instead wearing brigandine over their torso. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation There's nothing stopping a Warden player]] [[CombatPragmatist fighting as dishonorably as they want to win fights in the game however.]]
* ''VideoGame/GemsOfWar'':
** The Whitehelm region has a piety-and-honour theme to it, meaning that its units tend to fit this archetype (i.e. being good-aligned religious crusaders). Besides the cards ''called'' "The Paladin" and "High Paladin", there's Gravitas, a divine knight with special powers against the undead and daemons.
** Sword's Edge, labeled in the opening credits as "Knights of the Iron Reach", has the noble knight thing going. "Ser Cygnea" is a human knight who specializes in defense and is often found first in battle.
* Prince Rurik of ''VideoGame/GuildWars'', doubling as TheScrappy for many.
* Ky Kiske from ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear.'' Prior to the events of the game, he's the commander who willingly risked his life to save people even if the situation seemed hopeless or even if the person to be saved [[ManipulativeBitch was questionable.]] An in ''XX'' Ky continues to be a noble public servant as a high ranking police officer. In ''Overture'', his popularity and charisma earns him the position of a king.
* ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'' makes it clear that Pit is one, as he is [[UndyingLoyalty endlessly loyal]] to [[GodOfGood Palutena]] and will always fight for the human race, even though the game also shows that HumansAreBastards and [[spoiler:the real BigBad, Hades, easily manipulates them to kill each other.]]
* In ''VideoGame/KingArthurTheRoleplayingWargame'', this is a given as you command various members of the Knights of the Round Table. While there are murderous Knights who are more concerned about their chances at raping and pillaging, many of your Knights are law-abiding and hold true to the folklore of chivalry, including your first Knights - Sir Ector and King Mark.
* In ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'' Graham of Daventry forgoes the armor in favor of [[GuileHero guile]], but he is still very much a knight at heart, even after being crowned king.
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' has Link who, while not always a knight by occupation, is nonetheless an IdealHero who's been saving the princess and the land of Hyrule from EvilOverlord Ganon since ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI 1986]]''. That said, his ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarine of Time]]'' incarnations are stated to have descended from the Knights of Hyrule, the ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' version is in the middle of training to become a knight at the start of the game, and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]''[='s=] Link served as Princess Zelda's personal knight.
* [[spoiler:Oersted]] from ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' is a deconstructed example. Demon-slaying, princess-saving, the whole nine yards. The chapter is dedicated to show that even the noblest of knights [[spoiler:can finally crack if there's enough hatred to corrode them, and in his case he cracked [[FromNobodyToNightmare pretty damned hard]]]].
* Samara in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2,'' even going so far as to give a KnightErrant (perhaps with a bit of Samurai) as the closest human equivalent to her order. Though she has a strong ruthless streak, and is absolutely unbending when it comes to her code.
* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'': Lady Aribeth, Paladin of Tyr, the god of Justice is a rare female example. [[spoiler:Her fall towards evil after seeing the city she had sacrificed so much for execute her fiancé for a crime he is innocent of (he was made a scapegoat and the people condemning him are fully aware of it) as well as the blatant injustice committed in the name of the god of justice is the main plot of the game]]
* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'' had Casavir. Granted, he has all the personality of a brick, but he's a chivalrous paladin nevertheless.
* ''Noblemen: 1896'' from Foursaken Media, has a post-Civil War America that lost 70% of the population. This enabled a rise of a new aristocracy. And when the undead emerged with the plague, from this new aristocracy came new classes of expensively armored knights such as the Sabre Knight and the Rifle Knight. The highest tier of this new knighthood are the heavily armored Paladins who wear power armor that's one part medieval knight, one part Ned Kelly and the rest a bank vault. These religious warriors don't have any magic but they do extra damage against ghouls and vampires.
* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'': Reinhardt Wilhelm is more of knight in [[PoweredArmor mechanical rocket powered armor]], but he still fits, and in fact ''[[InvokedTrope invokes]]'' this trope. He sees himself as a modern day knight, and was previously part of an entire ''order'' of modern knights in powered armor called The Crusaders. He acted as TheHeart to the titular Overwatch, staunchly supporting the group, but calling them out the minute they started straying morally. His forced retirement was the first step to the organization's eventual collapse from corruption and infighting, leading him to become a KnightErrant. [[spoiler:In his youth, he was a hot-blooded and reckless gloryhound whose actions led to the massacre of his mentor and almost his entire unit. [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone He later deeply regrets it]]]].
** Also of ''Overwatch'' is Reinhardt's Squire, Brigitte. While she was originally mainly tasked with helping maintain his PowerArmor, she eventually develops her own and functions as a {{Paladin}}-esque Hero.
* Fernando from ''VideoGame/{{Paladins}}'' is an egotistical self-appointed knight who does heroics for glory and charming women. However, [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold he does look out for his comrades]] and will protect them with his mighty shield and fry foes with his flame lance.
* Aeron, of ''VideoGame/PandorasTower'', who starts the game off sneaking into the capital city of the country his homeland is at war with just to watch his girlfriend sing, then doesn't hesitate to disappear with her when Elena is promptly afflicted with a curse. He then spends half the game looking to break said curse, and the other half looking after her and making their shabby safehouse a much more pleasant place to be just so she's more comfortable. Bonus points for the fact his armor is literally bright, shiny gold.
* The Knight class in ''VideoGame/RunesOfMagic'' is apparently inspired by this trope.
* In ''VideoGame/ShopHeroes'', Gauvin aspires to be a classic knight — slaying dragons to rescue princesses. He's currently a squire, though.
* ''[[VideoGame/SonicStorybookSeries Sonic and the Black Knight]]'': In the final battle against [[spoiler:Merlina]], Nimue and the Knights of the Round Table use the power of the sacred swords to transform Sonic into Excalibur Sonic, a SuperMode which grants the blue hedgehog [[GoldenSuperMode golden armor]].
* ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'':
** Doubly subverted with [[TheHero Siegfried]]; his outward design is evocative of the trope wearing bright white/silver armor, but alas he is a KnightInSourArmor in personality. He dreamt of becoming this just like his father who was an heroic knight that qualified for the trope, but fell into some bad company and eventually turned into a monster. He became so consumed with his crimes that he spent most of the series seeking atonement for them, and nearly veered into KnightTemplar territory in the fourth game. By ''Soulcalibur V'', he found peace and most definitely can be considered a noble knight as his new mission is to defend humans against the Malfested.
** Patroklos is similar albeit in a relatively less tragic way as he was initially an arrogant {{Jerkass}} who did morally questionable things in the name of "justice". He does grow out of it.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'', [[TheHero Raynor]] starts out as one, Kerrigan even lampshades it; but unfortunately he then realizes that the Koprulu Sector is a CrapsackWorld and becomes a KnightInSourArmor.
* Flynn in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia''.
** While Flynn is a very literal example on top of displaying the character traits, his best friend Yuri embodies the traits befitting this trope, while crossing it with KnightInSourArmor, due to his dislike of the Empire and his time as an actual knight. He even gets a title in reference to the characteristics of this trope, called True Knight, and it's noted when you get the costume that Yuri is the most knightly of any of the characters, including Flynn (as the character who says this is talking ''to'' Flynn, who will agree with her).
* * ''VideoGame/TrailsSeries''
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel II'', Alfin considers [[TheHero Rean]] to be her knight in shining armor when he inadvertently rescues her at [[CoolShip Pantagruel]] (he was forcibly taken there and both had no idea that the other was also on the ship) complete with Rean giving Alfin a BridalCarry.
** Arianhrod is a rare female ''and'' antagonistic example. Her entire aesthetic is that of a silver knight, with an imposing armor and helmet along with an absolutely massive jousting lance. Despite being an Anguis of [[GreaterScopeVillain Ouroboros]], she's shown to be one of the most honorable antagonists in the series. She even has 'squires' in the form of the [[AmazonBrigade Stahlritter]], a trio who share her knightly aesthetic and are fervently loyal to her.
* ''VideoGame/{{TCTRPG The Colour Tuesday}}'': Kyle fits this; he only rebels when its clear his sister will die if she does not recieve medicine that he can't leave town for because of an arbitrary law (apparently it's the wrong "season") He's consistently the most polite and level-headed character, and doesn't think twice [[spoiler:about [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing his relationship with Alex and his powers]] to cross the magical flames which separate him and the medicine he carries from his sister.]] Thankfully this isn't necessary.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', Undyne literally refers to herself as a "knight in shining armor" in one version of her pre-BossBattle speech. Though she will fight humans for other monsters with a vengeance, she's really a HotBlooded badass who bows to practically nobody.
* ''VideoGame/TheWitcher3WildHunt'': Sir Gillaume De Launfal [[GenreRefugee seems to have entirely missed the memo about what kind of world]] ''The Witcher'' is set in, and manages to be young, naïve, affectionate, impulsive and ready to throw himself at any chivalrous cause without regard for his own safety. [[spoiler:Play your cards right, and he can make it work, and become one of the few characters in the franchise to get an unambiguously happy ending.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, was the younger son of a minor nobleman who became the tournament champion of all Europe and went on to serve the royal family of [[UsefulNotes/HenryTheSecond Henry II of England]] and be given the hand and estates of Isabel de Clare, eventually rising to become the right hand man of three successive Kings (Henry II, Richard I and John), and regent to a fourth (Henry III), fighting in battle in his 70s. He eventually came to be known by his contemporaries as "[[SpellMyNameWithAThe The Marshal]]" and "the greatest knight," getting a real life HistoricalHeroUpgrade by featuring in a number of ''chansons de geste.'' He's also notable as reportedly being the only man ever to defeat Richard the Lionheart in combat.
* Godfrey of Bouillon, first King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, was a leading crusader in the First Crusade, and unlike his relative Baldwin of Edessa and his contemporary, Bohemond of Taranto, he was a genuinely honest and pious man seeking to execute what he thought was God's will. Like William Marshal, he also underwent considerable HistoricalHeroUpgrade.
* Zig-Zagged with Edward, the Black Prince. He was scrupulously honourable in the treatment of his noble prisoners, including French King John the Good, even giving John permission to go home at one point, as well as delaying the Battle of Poitiers for a day to allow both sides to discuss the battle and Cardinal Périgord to plead for peace. However, he also favoured the ''chevauchée'' strategy, which is essentially short-hand for RapePillageAndBurn for reasons of strategic expediency. Basically, as ''Webcomic/HarkAVagrant'' says, [[http://www.oxonianreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/duality.png like this.]]
* Geoffroi de Charny, who literally wrote the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Chivalry manual on chivalry]] was widely regarded in his day as a ''True and Perfect Knight''. His reputation for honesty was such that when captured by the English, he was released on parole to collect his ransom and he found someone to pay it, true to his word. He famously proposed that [[UsefulNotes/TheHundredYearsWar the Battle of Poitiers]] in 1356 be settled by a hundred champions from each side to limit loss of life. His proposal was rejected and he died in the battle, defending the sacred Oriflamme banner of France to his [[LastStand last breath]].
* Enguerrand VII de Coucy had much the same stature as Charny in the later half of the 14th century. He was given to the English as a hostage to secure the release of King Jean II, who had been captured in the battle of Poitiers, but King Edward III of England was so impressed with his courtesy and character that he allowed him to marry his eldest daughter, Princess Isabel. He later returned all his English lands and titles upon the accession of Richard II. Coucy became the role model for a whole generation of young French knights as an experienced campaigner and paragon of virtue. Finally in 1397, he was wounded and captured in the Battle of Nicopolis against Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, and died before he could be ransomed.
* Richard I and his WorthyOpponent, Saladin, were both elevated to this status by later popular history, to the point where Saladin became [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff significantly more famous and well regarded in the West]] than he was in the lands he had once lived.
* Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, was known in his lifetime as "the knight without fear and beyond reproach" and, to his friends, "the good knight". He served three kings of France with absolute loyalty, unimpeachable courage, chivalry and honor, and exceptional skill in war. Right up until the 20th century the name "Bayard" was a byword for courage and virtue.
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zawisza_Czarny Zawisza the Black]] was considered to be a model of knightly virtues in Poland in his lifetime and even more after his death. He served two kings, Władysław Jagiełło (of his native Poland) and Sigismund of Luxembourg (the king of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor). Interestingly, in the Battle of Grunwald, where Sigismund allied with the Teutonic Knights against Poland, he decided that his national identity trumped the commitments to his overlord Sigismund, a sentiment quite innovative in the Middle Ages. Apart from being a jousting champion (in 1421 he defeated Prince John of Aragon at a tourney in the castle of Perpignan), he was also an accomplished diplomat and frequently negotiated peace treaties. He died while fighting Ottoman Turks in Serbia. Even today, in Poland his first name (quite a popular name at the time) is [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade shorthand of chivalry and righteousness]].
* John Hunyadi was known as the "White Knight of Wallachia" and much like Godfrey of Bouillon, was also was revered by his contemporaries for his crusade against the Ottoman Empire. His deeds led him to be awarded the title of ''Athleta Christi'' (Champion of Christ) by UsefulNotes/ThePope and he was respected by his enemies, with [[AntagonistInMourning Sultan Mehmed II allegedly grieving at his death]] when Hunyadi perished from the plague and ''that'' was shortly after Hunyadi dealt him such crushing defeat at the Siege of Belgrade that the Ottomans were unable to advance into Europe for 70 years. Today he is a Hungarian national hero and also revered as an example of chivalry in Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
* Franz von Sickingen was a German knight that cultivated this public image of himself as "protector of the oppressed", often taking the side of the weaker party in many political disputes to the point he eventually earned the favor of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. This led him to participate in the Protestant Reformation when he granted asylum to Martin Luther which culminated in leading the failed Knight's Revolt in order to stop the decline of the status of the imperial knights.
* Sir Giles d'Argentan was known in the early 14th century as the "third best knight" in all of Christendom. Since he was just an ordinary knight, and the top two were the Holy Roman Emperor and [[UsefulNotes/RobertTheBruce King Robert of Scotland]], this ranking was particularly notable. He died at the Battle of Bannockburn, fighting on the English side -- having seen that the battle was lost, he escorted King Edward II to safety before telling him: "Sire, your protection was committed to me, but since you are safely on your way, I will bid you farewell for never yet have I fled from a battle, [[HonorBeforeReason nor will I now]]." He charged back into battle and died.
[[/folder]]

Historical knights were first and foremost professional soldiers. They usually were of BlueBlood -- or, if commoner-born, founders of a new noble family. [[note]]Similar professional, well-armed and armored soldiers capable of acting as heavy cavalry without belonging to the social class of knights also existed, the term for them was "man-at-arms". This term could also be applied to knights though - essentially, all knights were men-at-arms, but not all men-at-arms were knights.[[/note]] Their ''modus operandi'' was lance-armed heavy cavalry, which [[AttackAttackAttack charged the enemy in full gallop on closed ranks]]. They often were used dismounted as well, when they fought as heavy infantry, usually armed with [[BladeOnAStick enormous can-openers]] such as poleaxes or [[UsefulNotes/EuropeanSwordsmanship two-handed swords]].

A cultural trope in Europe since medieval times, most good knights practice something called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry chivalry]], [[TheFettered Honor]], and [[EmotionsVsStoicism Self-Control]] and occasionally [[CelibateHero chastity]]. Prone to rescuing the DamselInDistress, or delivering her from [[MaliciousSlander false accusations]], often whilst bearing TheLadysFavour. The Knight in Shining Armor was a frequent carrier of TheDulcineaEffect: medieval {{Chivalric Romance}}s, indeed, portrayed knights who fell in love with a ''[[PeerlessLoveInterest princesse lointaine]]'' merely on hearing her described, without even seeing her - though his love and heroism usually [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan won her heart]]. Another occupational hazard is ChronicHeroSyndrome, [[KnightErrant Knights Errant]] being charged to WalkTheEarth righting wrongs until a worthy quest shows up. Oh, and he will SaveThePrincess, usually from [[DragonsPreferPrincesses dragons]].

* Fruit of the Loom wants you [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXfKCF78Nc to meet the knights (who wear nothing but fruit costumes) who will give new shirts to people]].

** The Skull Knight doesn't do a lot of lady-charming (he ''did'' rescue a [[HookerWithAHeartOfGold damsel]] in distress once), preferring to act as a MysteriousProtector to Guts and Casca, but he's perhaps the closest thing so far to a Knight in Shining Armor in the ''Berserk'' universe, particularly when he [[spoiler:[[BigDamnHeroes saves Guts and Casca from being finished off by Femto (Griffith's Godhand self) and the Godhand at the end of the Eclipse]]]]. Fan rumor is rampant that the guy is [[spoiler: Emperor Gaiseric, the guy who unified Midland]], who may have gone through [[spoiler:a similar ordeal when Void was incarnated as a Godhand]], explaining [[spoiler:his stone-cold hate for the Godhand in general]]. And the guy is a complete badass to boot.

** Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America epitomises the trope; noble, a superb warrior and deeply honourable, fighting for justice, most especially the protection of the oppressed (because he hates bullies), and pining after/mourning his lady love, he is frequently compared to King Arthur. He's also a NiceGuy who rescues kittens from trees, because of course he does. He is more ruthless than most examples, it has to be said, and has a certain hint of cynicism - plus, unlike most examples, he has [[spoiler: a child out of wedlock, with Peggy, Alison Carter - who had children and grandchildren of her own, much to Steve's shock when he finds out]]. This devastates him, because he feels that it was an ignoble act on his part, before being reminded (repeatedly) [[spoiler: that it takes two to tango, Peggy most certainly knew her own mind, and the rightful course is to stop avoiding his great-granddaughter, Carol, who idolised him and was deeply hurt by his rejection, no matter how understandable it was at the time]]. Nevertheless, it is not in the least bit surprising that he is knighted at the end of the first book, becoming part of the Order of the Garter.

*** Near the start of the sequel, in the ''[[DarkestHour Forever Red]]'' StoryArc, the trope is brutally Deconstructed. His [[TragedyOfImpulsiveness typical]] leap back into the Red Room for to try and talk Maddie, a LivingWeapon and [[spoiler: Jean's [[SeparatedAtBirth stolen-at-birth]] twin sister]] around ends in disaster: he's right that she's a TragicVillain and [[ArmourPiercingQuestion his question]] makes her think. [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome But a lifetime of ingrained obedience and programming isn't so easily overturned]], and instead he spends days being horribly tortured, a mere prelude to a TraumaCongaLine that includes [[spoiler: his BlankSlate body being turned into [[LivingWeapon 'the Red Son']], used to create an aggressive Russian Empire, and repeatedly raped by Yelena Belova, [[EvilCounterpart the Red Room's Black Widow]], in her twisted take on the Black Widow/Winter Soldier dynamic]]. This leaves him on the brink of a SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum, and even after he's talked down, he's left [[ShellShockedVeteran horribly traumatised]] and deeply bitter.
*** Yet despite the above, the trope is steadily Reconstructed in [[GuileHero appropriately]] [[CombatPragmatist nuanced]] [[TaughtByExperience fashion]]. He's still dedicated to helping a newly reformed Maddie, [[JerkassRealization he's horrified when confronted by Cedric Diggory about how he's been terrorising his fellow students]] and he remains a KnightInSourArmor. As Strange says, he is ''still'' the person who will ''always'' do what is right rather than what is easy, and it's why he's TheChosenOne. The ''Bloody Hell'' arc shows him as a shining knight once, rescuing [[CourtlyLove Carol]] [[FightDracula from Dracula]] (who wants her [[spoiler: [[SuperSoldier special blood]]]]). He faces Dracula twice (once in a literal suit of armour), and despite being almost crippled and [[PhysicalGod horribly outmatched]], he plans ahead, gets help, and (eventually) succeeds, before nearly killing himself to [[spoiler: save Carol with an emergency transfusion]]. All while resisting the temptation to tap into his [[RealityWarper reality warping]] SuperpoweredEvilSide. He vows to become a KnightOfFaith, and sealing the transformation, he receives [[PoweredArmour a personal silvery-white suit of Iron Man armour]], leading [[TheGadfly Coulson]] to codename him 'Agent Galahad'.

* In Creator/AndrewLang's "[[http://www.mythfolklore.net/andrewlang/044.htm The Golden Crab]]", the king tries to have TheTourney to substitute a bridegroom for the crab his daughter married. Three times the crab-husband shows up in human guise to fight.

** Harry Dresden, despite his continual disbelief at the concept, is a Wizard version of this. He isn't a firm believer in God, but holds to the "Tao of Peter Parker." He has great power and with it comes great responsibility. He will fight the monsters of the dark with all he has. While he will work with evil at times, he will never submit to it. He endures [[spoiler:a shadow of a Fallen Angel whispering in his ear for ''years'' when no shadow has taken at most days, or weeks to make the person fall]]. His good heart and stubborn determination [[spoiler:changes the shadow herself into something new, and should Harry have taken the coin at that point, would have been killed by the Fallen]]. Indeed, it goes even further than that: [[spoiler: her HeroicSacrifice to save him is a sufficient ActOfTrueLove to actually produce a child of both their minds, a Spirit of Intellect. Which Harry is technically pregnant with. Cue Murphy laughing so hard she can't breathe]].

* ''Series/TheStrain'': Fed is big, strong, loyal to a fault, fearless to the point of insanity and pretty much smashed his way through a wall that separated him from his lover and team mate Dutch, then being tortured by a complete and utter monster. [[spoiler: Later on, when a badly traumatized Dutch is about to leave the team and him, he is visibly hurt. Instead of being bitter or making any reproaches, he accepts her choice and wishes her the best.]]

* The music video for "Music/HoldingOutForAHero" by Bonnie Tyler has one: in this case, a heroic cowboy knight in angelic white armor on a [[WhiteStallion white horse]], which is also mentioned in the song ("Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?").

* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' has Ludwig, the Holy Blade, as the closest thing one gets in a Gothic Horror setting. He was the first Church Hunter and the Ludwig's Holy Blade weapon was based on his personal sword. By all accounts, he was a genuinely decent person who honestly wanted to protect Yharnam and was completely open about the Beast plague. [[spoiler: He is fought as a boss in the DLC after he's succumbed to the Beast Scourge,... well, for the first half of the fight. For the second half, he'll [[RestorationOfSanity return to his senses]] and fight you with the Holy Moonlight Sword.]]

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has Solaire of Astora and Oscar of Astora. Solaire is an honorable, friendly Warrior of the Sun, and Oscar was on a quest to ring the Twin Bells of Awakening. Siegmeyer of Catarina wants to be this, but is far too bumbling. Artorias ''used'' to be one, but [[spoiler: he was corrupted by the Abyss]] and is centuries dead by the time of the game.

** Aveline from [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Dragon Age II]] is a gender-flipped version, complete with [[RescueRomance rescuing]] of her love interest.

** Gawain is [[spoiler: the "most honorable knight" according to Artoria]], with being [[UndyingLoyalty undyingly]] [[HonorBeforeReason loyal]] and a bit of a [[ChivalrousPervert chivalrous pervert]]. [[spoiler:[[FailureKnight Turns out that part of the reason why he's so loyal is due to blaming himself for Artoria's death]]]]. Subverted in ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', [[spoiler:where he ends up [[MyMasterRightOrWrong following the evil Lion King]] [[TheAtoner due to his guilt over said death.]] However, the Gawain summoned by the Lion King is different than the one allied with the player, and the trope is again played straight in the SE.RA.PH arc.]]

** The Warrior of Light in ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' takes the trope and runs with it. In fact, he's heroic, noble, unashamedly, unrepentantly, [[OverlyLongGag disgustingly]] chivalrous to the point of making his characterization seem a tad unrealistic. And it's justified too, [[spoiler: as a side effect of him originally being born as a clone without much emotions. He's extremely loyal to Cosmos because that's all he's ever known in life]].

*** Camus ends up having to choose between his love and his country, ending up going with the latter. This results in him being left for dead and his love being stuck in a loveless ArrangedMarriage. When he returns as Sirius in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem Mystery of the Emblem]]'', he devotes himself to saving Nyna, but in the end, [[spoiler: even though he's able to snap her out of being BrainwashedAndCrazy, he resigns himself to the fact he can't be with her, and leaves, never to return]].

* ''VideoGame/ForHonor'' has the Knights of the Iron Legions as one of its three factions, yet the only Knight class that approaches this trope is [[HeroesPreferSwords the Warden]], who looks the most like the classic interpretation of a knight, wields a longsword, and serves as the viewpoint character for their chapter [[spoiler: and afterwards ends up leading a resistance movement of the other Legions against [[BigBad Apollyon and her Blackstone Legion]].]] Still, they don't wear full-on shining plate armor as the trope usually goes, instead wearing brigandine over their torso. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation There's nothing stopping a Warden player]] [[CombatPragmatist fighting as dishonorably as they want to win fights in the game however.]]

* ''VideoGame/TheWitcher3WildHunt'': Sir Gillaume De Launfal [[GenreRefugee seems to have entirely missed the memo about what kind of world]] ''The Witcher'' is set in, and manages to be young, naïve, affectionate, impulsive and ready to throw himself at any chivalrous cause without regard for his own safety. [[spoiler: Play your cards right, and he can make it work, and become one of the few characters in the franchise to get an unambiguously happy ending.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has an entire episode, "Sworn To The Sword", dedicated to a deconstruction of this trope. Pearl trains Connie in swordplay, while also instructing her on the duties of knighthood as being "completely dedicated to a person and a cause", expecting Connie to be dedicated to Steven as Pearl was for Rose Quartz. Unfortunately, [[spoiler: Pearl has severe self-esteem issues that she ultimately projects onto Connie, demanding that she be prepared to sacrifice her own well-being for Steven, just as Pearl had done for Rose countless times during the Gem War. Steven, Connie's "liege", is freaked out by the thought of Connie sacrificing her safety and self-worth for his sake and eventually gets through to her and Pearl by proving that it's better to fight together as a team, and gets Pearl to admit that Rose never devalued her and that she was just beating herself up]].

* Zig-Zagged with Edward, the Black Prince. He was scrupulously honourable in the treatment of his noble prisoners, including French King John the Good, even giving John permission to go home at one point, as well as delaying the Battle of Poitiers for a day to allow both sides to discuss the battle and Cardinal Périgord to plead for peace. However, he also favoured the ''chevauchée'' strategy, which is essentially short-hand for RapePillageAndBurn for reasons of strategic expediency. Basically, as ''Webcomic/HarkAVagrant'' says, [[http://www.oxonianreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/duality.png like this]].