Black Arrow (1985) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sir Daniel wants to marry Joanna to take full possession of her inheritance. Since Joanna is the daughter of Black Arrow, who was attainted and exiled twelve years earlier, Daniel believes he can claim her lands and wealth by marrying her rather than allowing her father to rescue her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Daniel had Joanna brought from the convent to his castle specifically to prevent her father from reclaiming her.

• joanna
• inheritance
• sir daniel
• marriage
• black arrow

Black Arrow was attainted through perjury twelve years before the main events. Sir Daniel, along with Oates, Sykes, and Appleyard, testified falsely against him, causing his lands to be seized and forcing him into exile in France. This treachery created the outlaw who now seeks vengeance.

Foreshadowing: The timeline establishes that these four men perjured themselves to attaint a nobleman who would later be known as Black Arrow.

• black arrow
• outlaw
• perjury
• exile
• sir daniel

Oates betrays Sir Daniel because he wants to become a bigger landowner than Warwick. In York, Oates goes to Warwick with information that it was Sir Daniel who ordered Richard's murder, switching sides to curry favor with the powerful earl.

Foreshadowing: Oates had always been described as treacherous, and his ambition is hinted at early in the narrative.

• oates
• betrayal
• warwick
• sir daniel
• riches

Sir Daniel secretly sends Scar and men-at-arms to kill Richard and frame Black Arrow for the murder. His goal is to take over Richard's inheritance and eliminate the rival who threatens his control over the region.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Daniel had Richard sent away with Appleyard, putting him in danger from the outlaws.

• sir daniel
• richard
• murder
• scar
• inheritance

Joanna defiantly wears a red rose in Sir Daniel's household to assert her loyalty to the red rose of Lancaster. This is a political statement against the Yorkist household she is being forced into, showing her refusal to accept Daniel's control.

Foreshadowing: This act of defiance sets up the confrontation between Joanna and Richard.

• joanna
• red rose
• lancaster
• york
• defiance

Richard defeats Scar on the eve of his twenty-first birthday in a fight where Scar is handicapped with his left hand tied behind his back. Richard has been training extensively under Scar's instruction for years, and this victory marks his coming of age and establishes him as a worthy opponent.

Foreshadowing: The timeline establishes their growing enmity and the tense rivalry between them.

• richard
• scar
• duel
• victory
• twenty-first birthday

During Sir Daniel's wedding in York, Richard, Black Arrow, and Will confront the conspirators. In the blade duel that follows, Sir Daniel disarms Richard and nearly kills him, but Black Arrow shoots Sir Daniel with a black arrow, killing him.

Foreshadowing: Black Arrow is established as a skilled longbowman who uses the black arrow as his signature weapon.

• black arrow
• sir daniel
• black arrow
• wedding
• kill

Warwick agrees to outlaw Black Arrow because he wants Sir Daniel's support for his future revolt against King Edward IV. This political alliance strengthens Daniel's position while serving Warwick's larger ambitions against the king.

Foreshadowing: The film takes place just before Warwick leads his rebellion against Edward IV.

• warwick
• black arrow
• outlaw
• edward iv
• rebellion

Joanna overhears Sir Daniel and Warwick planning her marriage, so she steals Sir Richard's clothing while he is bathing and uses the disguise to escape from the castle. She avoids being forced into an undesired union with Daniel.

Foreshadowing: The marriage plot was being arranged specifically to secure Joanna's inheritance for Daniel.

• joanna
• escape
• richard
• clothes
• castle

After Scar shoots Richard and captures Joanna, Black Arrow and his men locate the wounded Richard and capture Scar. Richard eventually recovers enough to engage Scar in close combat, where he kills him.

Foreshadowing: Scar's role as Daniel's enforcer and his attempt to kill Richard set up this final confrontation.

• scar
• richard
• combat
• death
• captured

When Scar shoots Richard in the shoulder, Joanna comes to his rescue. Hearing the approach of Scar and his companions, Joanna rides off to draw them away from where Richard lies gravely wounded, sacrificing her freedom to save his life.

Foreshadowing: This act sets up her capture and the subsequent events in York.

• joanna
• richard
• rescue
• scar
• wounded