Black Knight (comics) - The Black Knight Lineage

The Black Knight Lineage

Nathan Garrett and Dane Whitman are part of a lineage of Black Knights stretching back to the 6th century. In New Excalibur #10, the first of the "Last Day of Camelot" storyline, it is revealed that Dane has turned the Garret Castle into a Black Knight museum with various exhibits on the various Black Knights, including the body of Sir Percy. There is a long line of paintings of the Knights including, according to the curator, "Sir Ralston and Sir Eobar or lesser known knights like Sir William and Sir Henry." These Black Knights are:

• Sir Raston ("Ralston" appears only in New Excalibur #10) - Sir Percy's nephew and became the Black Knight after him. He lived in the Dark Ages but was recruited into the Anachronauts by Kang the Conqueror and travelled through time.
• Sir Eobar of Garrington - He was the Black Knight during the Crusades.
• Sir William - He is depicted fighting in the trenches of World War I.
• Sir Henry - He is depicted as a swashbuckling figure.

Later in "The Last Days of Camelot" Sir Percy reveals to Dane that he was not the first Black Knight and that eight knights had carried the Ebony Blade before him, the last being King Arthur's cousin Sir Reginald. Each one had been driven mad by the sword and had to be killed until it was decided there were only three people who could take the sword but King Arthur and Merlin were needed in other capacities, so the "burden" fell to Sir Percy who accepted despite knowing the risks.

The apparent "Last Knight" is Ernst Wythim, a member of the lineage from around 2600 AD.