Within Dark Souls‘ desolate world of Lordran, remnants of Lord Gwyn’s once-glorious kingdom lie in ruin. Among these relics stand the imposing figures of Gwyn’s knights. The silver-clad guardians of Anor Londo and the battle-scarred Black Knights encountered throughout Lordran present an interesting dichotomy.
While both don Gwyn’s coat of arms, a closer examination reveals a significant dissimilarity in their prowess. A new fan theory says that the Black Knights represent Gwyn’s elite, forever altered by a pivotal event, while the silver knights represent a less-skilled, more ceremonial force.
The Black Knights May Have Had A Greater Purpose
Dark Souls‘ lore establishes a clear connection between the Black and silver knights. The Black Knight Greatsword description explicitly identifies them as demon hunters, their once-silver armor forever scorched by the fires of the Chaos. These survivors, forever marked by their ordeal, were not simply welcomed back into the fold of Anor Londo.
The strategic placement of Black Knights throughout Lordran suggests a deliberate purpose beyond mere patrol duty. Their presence guarding key items like the Blue Tearstone Ring and their tactical positioning for maximum impact hint at a more covert objective.
A recent Reddit theory posted in the r/darksouls community proposes that the Black Knights were tasked with a secret mission – to act as Gwyn’s private enforcers, commissioned to eliminate the growing threat posed by the Chosen Undead.
Is The Silver Knights’ Ineptitude In Dark Souls Intentional?
In stark contrast to the Black Knights’ prowess stand the silver knights of Anor Londo. Their scattered formations, ease of defeat, and seeming obliviousness to threats like the Titanite Demon raise questions about their effectiveness. Lord Gwyn likely took notice of their incompetence.
The silver-armored archers of Anor Londo are a different story, though. Their use of Dragonslayer Greatbows and tactical positioning suggest significant combat experience, potentially dating back to their war with the dragons. It’s entirely possible that they were entrusted with the unenviable task of training the remaining silver knights that stood.
Gwyn’s awareness of the silver knights’ limitations may have led him to relegate them to primarily ceremonial duties. Their placement guarding Gwynevere exemplifies this – the true protection comes from the Sentinels, Ornstein, and Smough. The silver knights remain a visible symbol of Gwyn’s power, but their combat prowess appears to have been severely exaggerated.
This theory reveals a fascinating disparity within Gwyn’s knightly ranks. The black knights become Gwyn’s elite bodyguards, whereas the lower-skilled and oafish silver knights remain in Anor Londo, their true purpose a carefully constructed facade. This revelation adds more mystique to Dark Souls‘ already cryptic lore, highlighting the depths of Gwyn’s strategic maneuvering and the tragic fate of his once-proud knights.
