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4[[quoteright:348:[[Myth/ArthurianLegend https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/castleat_1914.png]]]]
5[-[[caption-width-right:348:image by [[http://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/10101/arthur-a-dixon-artist/ Arthur A. Dixon]]]]-]
6
7->''"Blade with whom I have lived, blade with whom I now die.\
8Serve right and justice one last time.\
9Seek one last heart of evil, still one last life of pain.\
10Cut well, old friend, and then... farewell."''
11-->-- '''Sir Orrin Neville-Smythe''', ''WesternAnimation/TheFlightOfDragons''
12
13The medieval knight who fights baddies, whether villains, knights or [[DragonsVersusKnights dragons]], and in TheTourney, charms ladies without deliberately seducing them, [[IncorruptiblePurePureness behaves honorably]], and saves the day with his [[HeroesPreferSwords sword]]; but also, any hero who behaves similarly. Invariably LawfulGood and [[TheFettered honor bound]]. First appeared in the ChivalricRomance. He has a very high incidence of having a BodyguardCrush and RescueRomance.
14
15Historical 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 enormous can-openers such as poleaxes or [[UsefulNotes/EuropeanSwordsmanship two-handed swords]]. A knight might also lead a group of common footsoldiers in battle.
16
17A cultural trope in Europe since TheMiddleAges, 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]].
18
19This is often invoked to describe a man who acts ''chivalrously'' toward women. The term may be used in more cynical works to indicate a WideEyedIdealist. Even the UrExample of the straight usage of trope, Myth/ArthurianLegend, messed around with it a lot. The one-two punch of Creator/{{Disney}} and ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' saw this trope's stock rise like crazy.
20
21The "shining" originally referred to the way his armor and weapons were kept in good condition, as opposed to the rust that accumulated for less competent knights. Most knights will be depicted wearing plate armor, despite it appearing relatively late in the era of knights.
22
23When PrinceCharming is a Knight in Shining Armor he's the WarriorPrince. PrinceCharmless, on the other hand would not be a knight by choice.
24
25See LordErrorProne and MilesGloriosus for common variations, played with tropes, and parodies and KnightInSourArmor for what happens when the world fails to live up to ''their'' standards, but they keep on being good anyway. If the knight is ''too'' dedicated to his ideals and code, he may become a KnightTemplar. If he likes fighting a bit ''too '' much, he is in danger of becoming a BloodKnight. A knight who is shiny for one person in particular is TheChampion. A knight that gets magical powers as a reward for this goodness is almost certainly ThePaladin to boot.
26
27If the Knight in Shining Armor wanders the land seeking evil to slay, then he's also a KnightErrant.
28
29AnimatedArmor will appear as this, all the way to TheReveal.
30
31Subtrope to IdealHero. Compare the gentleman's OldSchoolChivalry. Compare and contrast the DoggedNiceGuy. A white knight is an internet persona who wants to be this.
32
33An 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 the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates, of course. Compare {{Samurai}}, which usually tends to be the Japanese equivalent of this trope.
34
35'''Before adding examples, remember that--despite the name--this trope doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a character's armor or its color. A well-behaved knight in black armor or even no armor could still qualify, and a character who just wears shiny armor without behaving in a heroic manner is not an example.'''
36
37----
38!!Example Subpages:
39[[index]]
40* KnightInShiningArmor/AnimeAndManga
41* [[KnightInShiningArmor/LiveActionFilm Films — Live-Action]]
42* KnightInShiningArmor/{{Literature}}
43* KnightInShiningArmor/LiveActionTV
44* KnightInShiningArmor/VideoGames
45* KnightInShiningArmor/RealLife
46[[/index]]
47
48!!Other Examples:
49
50[[foldercontrol]]
51
52----
53!!Examples:
54
55[[foldercontrol]]
56
57[[folder:Advertising]]
58* 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.]]
59[[/folder]]
60
61[[folder:Art]]
62* The propaganda painting [[https://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/painting-the-standard-bearer/ "Der Bannerträger"]] ("The Standard Bearer"; painted c. 1935; first exhibited in 1937) by Hubert Lanzinger shows UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler as a knight in (literally) shining armor on horseback, his right hand holding the billowing swastika flag of the Nazi Party / the Third Reich. The image was frequently reproduced in UsefulNotes/NaziGermany, including as a postcard.
63[[/folder]]
64
65[[folder:Card Games]]
66* In ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', this is generally [[WhiteMagic White]]'s shtick. Though depending on the setting, it might range from anything from classical heroic knights to insidious [[KnightTemplar fanatics]] and other deconstructions.
67** The [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=White%20Knight White Knight]], polar opposite of the game's BlackKnight. However, game mechanics normally prevent the two from engaging each other in combat...
68** The ''Shards of Alara'' expansion features Bant, a [[PlanetOfHats plane of]] Knights in Shining Armor, who have a FantasticCasteSystem based on the acquisition of sigils, which are marks of great valor and honorable conduct.
69** [[GothicHorror Innistrad]] has cathars, which generally dress up in trenchcoats but occasionally show up in more classically medieval armor.
70** Ixalan has a rare mesoamerican version, riding ''dinosaurs''.
71** Parodied in [[http://www.artofmtg.com/art/chivalrous-chevalier/ Chivalrous Chevalier]]:
72->"I treat every foe according to the highest codes of conduct. Then I kill them."
73* ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'':
74** By day Ghostrick Dullahan masquerades as a suit of antique armor, but at night he shows his true colors as a veteran knight, acting as a leader figure for the other residents of the museum.
75** Another good example would be Freed the Brave Wanderer (who would later become Freed the Matchless General). His appearance as a Duel Spirit in the anime shows his HeroicSpirit rather plainly.
76** [[Metaplot/YuGiOhHiddenArsenal The Gem-Knights]], with the sole exception of Antiluminescent Knight Cairnogorgon. They only got involved in the storyline's battles after repeated attacks.
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder:Comic Books]]
80* [[CowardlyLion Antoine D'Coolette]] eventually grows into this in ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics''. He's very chivalrous and proper and an expert swordsman. This culminates in issue 234 where he grapples with Metal Sonic and nearly dies all in the name of service to the king.
81* The ComicBook/BlackKnightMarvelComics 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.
82* Though he may not be called a 'knight', ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is as much a pure example of this trope as modern jaded audiences can stand. His classic outfit includes maille or scales on the upper portion, he carries a shield, and a modern Captain owes much to the role of a knight in leading his troops. In behaviour? No more noble or righteous 'knight' exists in the Marvel Universe - [[AdaptationalJerkass Ultimate Cap]] excepted, of course.
83* Johan, the protagonist of the Belgian comic book series ''ComicBook/DeRodeRidder''.
84* In Creator/MarvelComics' outer space stories, the [[HollywoodCyborg Spaceknights]] of Galador also aspire to this ideal, but arguably only [[ComicBook/RomSpaceKnight Rom]] ever truly achieved it. One story even has Rom encounter the frozen form of Myth/KingArthur, still waiting for the day he will reawaken to save Britain from some future calamity, and Rom feels an instant, instinctive kinship with him.
85* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
86** The titular character from ''ComicBook/{{Steel}}'' wears a cape and shining armor, wields a weapon, and is as moral and good as Franchise/{{Superman}} himself.
87** DC Comics also had the Silent Knight, a more traditional knight than the Shining Knight, and his adventures took place at King Arthur's Camelot.
88** In a post-nuclear war apocalypse, there were the Atomic Knights who were heroic individuals who wore plate armour to protect them from radioactive fallout (though in more contemporary comics, the Atomic Knights are a faction of PoweredArmour soldiers).
89** ''ComicBook/SevenSoldiersOfVictory'': Shining Knight of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Sir Justin, a knight of King Arthur, was given by Merlin a suit of magical armor that would protect him from all harm, and a magical sword that would cut through anything. Merlin also gave Justin's horse wings and the ability to fly. Justin was frozen for centuries and revived in the 1940s, where he applies his honor as a knight to fighting crime in the present day. His chronological predecessor/published successor Ystin also qualifies, although they're a bit less idealistic than Justin, coming from a more LowFantasy version of Camelot.
90** ''ComicBook/CaptainAtom'': Captain Atom's daughter [[DaddysGirl Margaret]] ''sees'' him this way. He ''eventually'' [[BecomingTheMask becomes one]].
91[[/folder]]
92
93[[folder:Comic Strips]]
94* In ''ComicStrip/FrankAndErnest'', Frank, as a knight, complains of having to dress on a cold morning.
95* In one ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' comic strip, Jon gets freaked out by a scary part in the movie theater and [[TroubledFetalPosition starts sucking his thumb]]. Liz sarcastically mutters, "My knight in shining armor", and Garfield replies, "Make that your sissy in double-knit."
96[[/folder]]
97
98[[folder:Fan Works]]
99* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'':
100** 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.
101** Thor is a noble and [[PrinceCharming charming]] WarriorPrince, right down to the shining armour. Especially given his increased dutifulness towards Asgard (not necessarily to the throne, however, as he's more than willing to challenge his father), dedication to protecting the small and defenceless, and slaying of monsters - these days, no longer simply for [[BloodKnight the thrill of the challenge]]. He's also and an all-round NiceGuy, a good boyfriend and [[GoodParents a good dad]], being dedicated to both roles - though it should be remembered, as and when his son gets hurt, that [[GoodIsNotSoft he is the God of Thunder and Lightning]] ''[[GoodIsNotSoft not]]'' [[GoodIsNotSoft Reason and Understanding]].
102** Harry is an interesting variant, being a DeconReconSwitch.
103*** In the first book, he plays the trope Straight, with his largely idealistic nature, ChronicHeroSyndrome, and TheDulcineaEffect (minus the romance). It doesn't always pan out very well, such as his BullyHunter antics, compounded by his temper, but he's always going to help, no matter the cost. It's regularly noted that he's far too sweet and kind for his own good, standing out in a jaded and cynical cast, his PowerOfTrust bringing out better natures in those who didn't even know they had them. Even his darker moments are brief, and his good heart is key in the first book's climax when he's relied upon by arch-schemer Doctor Strange to resist TheFinalTemptation. For his actions, he is also Knighted as a member of the Order of the Garter.
104*** 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.
105*** 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'.
106* ''Fanfic/EquestriaGirlsFriendshipSouls'': What Sunset's Bankai turns her into.
107** Applejack's [[spoiler:completed Fullbring covers her in armor save for her head, white cape attached smoothly across the back and shoulder guard, and gives her a giant lance/drill combination]].
108* ''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.
109* ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainKnightOfTheOrangeLily'': Gladion 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.
110* ''Fanfic/TheKingNobodyWanted'': Ser Clegane... Ser Tytos Clegane, that is. He is an honorable man who cares passionately about helping the innocent, and is deeply resected and admired by his followers..
111[[/folder]]
112
113[[folder:Fairy Tales]]
114* 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.
115* In "Literature/IronHans", the prince dresses up in armor to fight on the king's behalf. Then he does the same to catch the princess's golden apple.
116* In "Literature/ThePrincessOnTheGlassHill", Boots finds suits of armor with each CoolHorse, and so can ride up the hill as a knight.
117* In "Literature/OneEyeTwoEyesThreeEyes", a knight takes Two-Eyes away from her abusive family and marries her.
118* In Creator/FranzXaverVonSchonwerth's "Literature/KingGoldenlocks", Goldenlocks is given a magic sword, a suit of armor and a horse to fight a war.
119[[/folder]]
120
121[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
122* Creator/{{Disney}}:
123** ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'': At the end of the movie, a prince arrived to take Snow White away on his white horse.
124** ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': The climax is a battle with Prince Philip up against Maleficent (as a giant dragon) to save Princess Aurora, King Stefan, King Hubert, Queen Leah, and the entire kingdom from their slumber.
125** ''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. Quasimodo even calls him this when Phoebus doesn't hesitate to go to warn Esmeralda and the other Romani that Frollo is coming.
126** ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' has Flynn Rider gallantly racing on the white Maximus over the bridge to rescue lost princess Rapunzel, which is not only a visual shout-out to this trope, but symbolic of his CharacterDevelopment from a selfish, thieving rogue to something closer to this trope.
127* ''Anime/DoraemonNobitaAndTheKnightsOnDinosaurs'' have the Knights of Enriru, [[LizardFolk troodon-men]] warriors bearing shields and lances on their trusty velociraptor steeds. Their leader Banhou is introduced into the story saving the lives of Doraemon and gang while beating off a horde of hostile Naga tribesmen.
128* ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' begins with Prince Edward saving Giselle from a troll, resulting in their planning to get married the next day.
129* ''WesternAnimation/TheFlightOfDragons'': Sir Orrin Neville-Smythe is a classic example of this; the aged, but steadfast and noble knight dedicated wholly to justice. He gives a badass speech during the final battle; then gets set on fire by [[TheDragon Bryagh's]] flame. [[HeroicSacrifice He withstands the heat long enough to hurl the now-flaming sword into the heart of the black dragon]], [[TogetherInDeath then collapses next to his fallen love]].
130-->''"Blade with whom I have lived, blade with whom I now die.\
131Serve right and justice one last time.\
132Seek one last heart of evil, still one last life of pain.\
133Cut well, old friend, and then... farewell."''
134* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'': Flash Sentry. The human version that's the closest thing to a LoveInterest for one of the Mane Six has a counterpart in Equestria, it turns out -- the pony Flash is a member of the Crystal Empire' royal guard -- the only one we've seen who isn't a Crystal Pony. He gets more screentime -- well, page time -- in the comics.
135* As ''WesternAnimation/Shrek2'' opens, Prince Charming has adventured, overcoming many obstacles and climbing the high tower in order to rescue Fiona, finding instead a cross-dressing wolf. It turns out that there was an old promise that Charming would be able to marry Fiona, but Fiona has already married Shrek in the first movie. It's later subverted when he reveals himself to be a [[PrinceCharmless snobby, narcissistic]], [[FailureKnight sociopathic jerk]].
136* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwanPrincess'': After Princess Odette is kidnapped, Prince Derek becomes determined to find her. Once he does, he plans to break the spell on her by making a vow of everlasting love.
137[[/folder]]
138
139[[folder:Gamebooks]]
140* The titular Warrior from ''Literature/WizardsWarriorsAndYou'' is brimming with weapons, wears a full suit of plate mail, and is a loyal servant of King Henry, always ready to face whatever challenge threatens the kingdom, the king, Princess Saralinda, and the people. Weirdly, it is noted that he wears no heraldry, and given how he's always referred to as Warrior, he may not even be a knight.
141[[/folder]]
142
143[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
144* 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.
145* 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.
146[[/folder]]
147
148[[folder:Music]]
149* 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?")
150* The Music/FaithHill song "This Kiss"
151-->Cinderella said to Snow White\
152'How does love get so off course?\
153All I wanted was a white knight with a good heart,\
154soft touch, fast horse.'\
155Ride me off into the sunset, baby I'm forever yours.
156* The song "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera:
157-->Just like a knight in shining armor\
158From a long time ago\
159Just in time I will save the day\
160Take you to my castle far away.
161* The country song "Suds In The Bucket" by Music/SaraEvans.
162-->When her prince pulled up - a white pickup truck\
163Her folks shoulda seen it comin' - it was only just a matter of time\
164Plenty old enough - and you can't stop love\
165She stuck a note on the screen door - "sorry but I got to go"
166* The Music/TaylorSwift song "White Horse" is a subversion, as it features a woman who got heartbroken by a lover who she once believed to be her knight, and realizes that [[ThisIsReality real life is not like the fairytales she thought it was]].
167-->I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale\
168I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet\
169Lead her up the stairwell\
170...Now it's too late for you and your white horse\
171To come around.
172[[/folder]]
173
174[[folder:Pinballs]]
175* Heavily featured in ''VideoGame/GoldenLogres,'' which has quests for all twelve [[Myth/ArthurianLegend Knights of the Round Table.]]
176* The player is cast in this role in the "Knight of the Rose" table of ''VideoGame/LastGladiator''.
177[[/folder]]
178
179[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
180* When EMLL became the more internationally diverse Wrestling/{{CMLL}}, few of the new luchadors were better received than [[Wrestling/ValVenis Steele]], the large, powerful, [[HonorIsFairPlay honorable, fair playing]] knight in his shiny face plate looking mask.
181* Wrestling/{{Chikara}} has the time-displaced knight Lance Steel and his more time-displaced self, who also serves as his TagTeam partner. They made it their mission to defeat the gnashgabs and uplift pro wrestling to a new, glorious level, and they wear colorful 'armor'. "Huzzah!"
182[[/folder]]
183
184[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
185* Creator/{{Chaosium}}'s ''TabletopGame/{{Pendragon}}'' game is based on the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
186* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': The [[AlwaysLawfulGood paladin]] class was based on Knight in Shining Armor archetype in general and supposedly ''Three Hearts and Three Lions'' in particular. Paladins are more like holy crusaders empowered with divine magic, though ([[ThePaladin which has its own trope, on that note]]).
187** Sturm Brightblade of the ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' D&D saga is the epitome of this trope played straight [[spoiler:except for not actually being a knight until shortly before his death]]. His fellow Knights of Solamnia are not quite so ideal but, with a couple of (important) exceptions, are generally good.
188** The ''Player's Handbook II'' from late in ''D&D'' 3rd Edition introduced the knight class, which is a lot like the paladin but without magical abilities. The knight's abilities focus on mounted combat, [[CombatByChampion single combat with an opposing champion]], and maintaining honor.
189** The 1st edition Cavalier class, introduced in that era's ''Unearthed Arcana'', was closer to the "standard" Arthurian knight. For a while, the Paladin class was a subclass of the Cavalier instead of the Fighter.
190* Paizo's ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' RPG has brought ThePaladin full-circle with the "Shining Knight" archetype, complete with bonuses to mounted combat and riding skill. For those not wanting to add divine elements to it, there's also the Cavalier class.
191** Ironically, Alain Germande, the Iconic Cavalier, is very much ''not'' this, though he does excel at presenting himself this way to aid in seducing impressionable women. He's a LawfulNeutral arrogant GloryHound BloodKnight who, though surprisingly charismatic, regards all others as expendable tools in pursuit of ever-greater glory and success.
192* Creator/{{TSR}}'s ''Knights of Camelot'' game also covered the Arthurian knighthood setting.
193* The ''TabletopGame/{{Talisman}}'' board game provides two examples of this trope, who reflect the chivalric code slightly differently: the Knight character, who [[IncorruptiblePurePureness is always of good alignment]] and who cannot attack other characters of good alignment, and the Chivalric Knight, who can aid rival characters in battle and cannot attack another character whose strength value is less than his own.
194* In Creator/WargamesResearchGroup games DBM and DBMM, Knights are the second most formidable troop types after War Elephants. They are fairly confident on running down any mounted troops and most foot, but they are vulnerable to shooting. The AchillesHeel of Irregular Knights is their impetuosity: unless constantly guarded, they are liable on charging spontaneously the nearest enemy and thus ruining the battle plan.
195* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'':
196** All noble Bretonnians aspire towards becoming true knights in shining armour...though as a whole they also tend to display [[FeudalOverlord all of potential abuses and flaws of the system of feudalism]] as a DeconstructiveParody of the trope. Grail Knights, who have been found pure in heart and soul and blessed by the [[EnigmaticEmpoweringEntity Lady of the Lake]], are said to all qualify for this trope by definition (though the aforementioned skewed sense of morality has some fans wonder if [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation the Grail Knights are really more like their more ordinary fellows]]).
197** The Empire also has several noble knightly orders, but their modernization means that the chivalric ideals are not as predominant there as in Bretonnia.
198* The Cyber Knights from ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}'' are a post-apocalyptic version of this trope, combining Mad Max aesthetic and advanced tech with traditional chivalric values and discipline. Ironically, their founder Lord Coake was a straight up knight from a fantasy world that was displaced to Earth and created the order for the purpose of fighting evil in all of it's forms. While he fits the trope perfectly, his principles do get him into trouble like [[spoiler:the one time he refuse to lend aid to [[TheAlliance Tolkeen]] (one of the other main heroic factions of the setting) because they consorted with demons as [[GodzillaThreshold last resort]] to resist an enemy siege. This action alienated his knights who went on separate ways and he went to found another knightly order to serve this purpose as the Cyber Knights]].
199[[/folder]]
200
201[[folder:Web Animation]]
202* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Portraits of Nicholas Schnee in the Schnee Manor depict him in knightly armour. The design of the armour can also be seen in the Knight statues that decorate the house, and forms the basis for the Amor Gigas that Weiss defeats in the White Trailer and transforms into her primary summoning aide. Nicholas was noted as being a man of the people, who became wealthy only as a result of his quest to create a better economy and living conditions for the people of Mantle. The men who travelled on dangerous quests to find new Dust mines were led by him and they had a great deal of respect for his willingness to risk his life for others. He only gave up his adventuring lifestyle when it became clear to him just how much his wife and family missed being with him.
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206* Sir Toby, from ''Chivalry and Knavery''. A Christian knight (who happens to be an anthropomorphic lion), who is kind, brave and extremely strong. And patient, otherwise he would have run screaming from Kira and Ulf. According to his character description, he believes that there is good in everyone - amazingly, his time with the two of them hasn't beaten that belief out of him.
207* In ''Webcomic/CucumberQuest'', due to being a work of satire that affectionately pokes fun at video game tropes, this trope is zigzagged.
208** The knights of Cake Town all wear hodgepodge suits of armor made of random parts, and are just little more than glorified servants for King Croissant and his daughter, Princess Parfait. Because of the king's low standards of knighthood, most of the knights are easily defeated by Peridot during Cordelia's invasion of Cake Town. The rest of them turn traitor while one, Sir Carrot, escapes.
209** Sir Carrot aspires to be a true knight and behaves according to chivalric traditions, but his crippling cowardice prevents him from acting like he should, to the point of becoming TheLoad while his much younger friends (Nautilus, Cucumber, and Almond) are much more capable than him. In fact, Sir Carrot's cowardice becomes a point of drama in Chapter 3 [[spoiler:where Almond is manipulated into seeing him as a villain by Rosemaster]] and the others, including himself, lose faith in him. [[spoiler:But the Nightmare Knight's intervention, combined with receiving a LoveLetter and a [[ThePowerOfLove love boost]] from a captive Parfait, causes Sir Carrot to regain his courage and level up permanently - gaining a gleaming, heart-themed suit of armor and a strawberry-shaped heart on his chest that allows him to summon magical weapons from it. [[TookALevelInBadass And he defeats Rosemaster, too]]]].
210* ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'':
211** Big-Ears is probably the most good-aligned character in the whole comic. If he were human they'd have named a city after him.
212** Kore, on the other hand, is a complete inversion though ''he'' believes he's the good guy.
213* Sir Muir in ''Webcomic/{{Harkovast}}'' fits this trope, even if his armour is more battered then shining most of the time!
214* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': All the Sapphire Guards are, but O-Chul even ''more'' so. [[WordOfGod The Giant]] describes him as "everything right about the paladin". He was already one in all but name in his prequel story, when he was just a regular captain in the army. He is honest and humble, stern but compassionate, courageous in the face of overwhelming odds, but above all else, committed to protecting the lives of ''everyone'', human or hobgoblin. In fact, he alone is the main reason that the Sapphire Guard is such a bastion of righteousness. He initially tried to have the Sapphire Guard dismissed due to them being a bunch of elitist nobles more concerned with slaughtering evil than paying attention to the most obvious ramifications of their actions, but when told that wasn't an option, he joined them instead as an InternalReformist. [[TheParagon It worked]].
215-->'''O-Chul:''' A lot of people are going to get hurt tomorrow. All we can do is stand in the way of that and say, "Not them. Me. If you need to hurt someone, hurt me."
216* Esten in ''Webcomic/{{Roza}}''. Even if lacking the armor and resembling a BountyHunter.
217* Hong Chunhwa from ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'', a chivalrous knight who always pays his respects to the ladies.
218* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob:'' [[InsistentTerminology Dame]] Abby Primrose, with her suit of PoweredArmor, is essentially this for the dragon civilization.
219* In ''Webcomic/CrimsonKnights'' the titular warriors are a cross between this and Hunter of Monsters, being an Order of knights tasked to kill monsters and apprehend misusers of magic.
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222[[folder:Web Original]]
223* While several Servants in ''Roleplay/FateNuovoGuerra'' come from Arthurian romances or the Matter of France, the best example would probably be Sir Roland. Sir Gawain is a special case: his devotion to Chivalry eventually led to Camelot's downfall, as he refused to call for Lancelot's help for the Battle of Camlann.
224* ''Roleplay/FireEmblemOnForums'': This is the ideal for players of the Paladin class, and indeed many characters exist that live up to it.
225** ''[=FEF=] 2'': Miguel aspires to be this despite his old age. Whether he lives up to the trope is....questionable.
226** ''Final Hour'': Lamden is this, though downplayed due to his ChivalrousPervert tendencies.
227** ''[[Roleplay/FireEmblemOnForumsDemonSoulSaga Demon Soul Saga]]'': The White Knight of Mishima, later revealed to be the Kaijin Gawain, is designed after this aesthetic, but he himself averts this trope. Mori (and a few other characters) take Akihiko to be this trope due to being a BullyHunter, but he's closer to being a KnightInSourArmor.
228** ''Mortal Transgressions'': Ferdiad Domniann. His codename is literally ''Knight''. This starts to chip away, however, as he is forced to confront the realities of working within GrayAndGreyMorality, with the stress leading him to temporarily disappear from the party.
229* In ''Roleplay/TheGamersAlliance'', Marcus Sarillius is a virtuous, and occasionally gullible, paladin who is always eager to save damsels in distress and set things right. Osmond Locke and Swenson Von Strupenguard are other notable examples.
230* In ''Literature/TalesOutOfTallis'' Sir Bastien is trying very hard to be one, though Rien tends to make it extraordinarily difficult for him.
231* Roman from ''WebVideo/SandersSides'' would very much ''like'' to be one, but he has difficulty since, 1) He's simply a facet of Thomas' personality, not an actual human, and, 2) Thomas lives in modern, suburban Florida. He still tries to push Thomas into acting like one from time to time.
232-->'''Roman:''' ''(on finding a romantic partner)'' There's a way to simultaneously make them feel special, ''and'' show them how awesome you are.\
233'''Thomas:''' How?\
234'''Roman:''' You find out what might be making their life difficult...\
235'''Patton:''' Yeah?\
236'''Roman:''' ...And you ''[[SeriousBusiness kill it]]''.\
237'''Virgil:''' [[FlatWhat What?]]
238* Literature/{{Worm}} has [[EmotionControl Gallant]], a superhero who explicitly chooses to live by this trope.
239** Chevalier as well. He's one of the most morally upright characters in the setting, and for bonus points he actually wears shining armor.
240* The title ''[[https://youtu.be/8vYFFx4whoE Knight of Hope]]'' is naturally this. It's implied he's sent by God Himself to [[DivineIntervention answer woman's prayers]] to be saved from a camp of bandits, and after slaughtering literally all of them, takes time to return her necklace depicting Saint Michael back to her and show her she's safe now before departing.
241* ''WebVideo/SevenSecondRiddles'': They often show up to save the PrincessClassic from their predicament, sometimes by [[DragonsVersusKnights fighting a dragon]], other times by solving puzzles.
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244[[folder:Western Animation]]
245* The recurring ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGummiBears'' character Sir Victor, the White Knight, is a classic Knight in Shining Armor. However, it turns out that he is actually the estranged brother of the series' BigBad, Duke Igthorn, and lives in constant fear that he would [[VillainousLineage turn evil like the rest of his family]] (before AnAesop is delivered to him, anyway) and rights wrongs as perceived [[TheAtoner atonement]] for his house's ill deeds.
246* Sir Roderick from ''WesternAnimation/{{Gawayn}}''. It's a shame he also tends to be LordErrorProne.
247* Shining Knight of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited''. Especially played up in "Patriot Act" where he and a mutated GeneralRipper do battle while they argue what duty to one's country means.
248* ''WEsternAnimation/MrBenn'': In the first episode ("Red Knight"), an invitation to a fancy dress party enticed Mr. Benn to seek it out. In a bit of irony, he's not fond of parties, but he loves dressing. There was no party to find anywhere, which eventually lead Mr. Benn to the costume shop at which he would become a regular, and then go on to wear a bright red suit of armor. Rather unusually, Mr. Benn goes on to subvert the typical dragon slaying, instead ending up befriending the dragon he encounters, who goes on to tell Benn about how [[HeroWithBadPublicity he was framed for burning buildings by a greedy matchstick maker]].
249* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', Twilight Sparkle's big brother is a tall, white stallion named Shining Armor and is Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. For bonus points, he even marries a princess in the season 2 finale, though his sister and his bride-to-be Cadance have to save ''[[DistressedDude him]]'' from the MonsterOfTheWeek.
250* Sir Giles in Creator/{{Disney}}'s animated featurette of Kenneth Grahame's "The Reluctant Dragon" chapter of ''Dream Days'' both embodies and subverts this trope, in that although he actually ''is'' a famous dragon-slaying hero (in Grahame's book actually [[Myth/SaintGeorge St. George]] himself), he is nevertheless willing to [[spoiler:fake a combat with the eponymous dragon]] on learning that he, too, is 'a bit of a bard'.
251* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': [[Characters/SouthParkStanMarsh Stan Marsh]] became a mix of this and the Only Sane Man. And sometimes he himself parodies this trope.
252* Prince Alex from ''WesternAnimation/Super4''. Despite coming from Kingsland (a medieval location) he doesn't wear a lot of armor, but has the personality to a T.
253* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has an entire episode, "[[Recap/StevenUniverseS2E9SwornToTheSword Sworn to the Sword]]", dedicated to a deconstruction of this trope. [[Characters/StevenUniversePearl Pearl]] trains [[Characters/StevenUniverseConnieMaheswaran Connie Maheswaran]] 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]].
254* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
255** Silverbolt, from ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', is a usually tongue-in-cheek example of this type. He's not a parody so much as a walking LampshadeHanging, complete with trumpet fanfares when he speaks. It really helps that both his animals -- one a wolf, the other an eagle -- are typical "noble" animals. (which sorta makes a Griffin, an even more noble animal)
256--->'''Blackarachnia:''' Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''?\
257'''Silverbolt:''' It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character.
258** Sadly, he also counts as a case of StupidGood, and in the sequel ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'', he gets [[FaceHeelTurn run]] [[BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood through]] [[KnightInSourArmor the]] [[TheAtoner ringer]] quite cruelly.
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