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The King’s Thief (1955) movie poster

Timeline

The King’s Thief (1955) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1955 · 78 mins · English
Directed by
Robert Z. Leonard, Hugo Fregonese
Starring
Roger Moore, Matt Moore, Rhys Williams, David Niven, George Sanders, Melville Cooper

A romance inspired by a true story of a soldier of fortune! An ex-soldier turned highwayman uncovers a plot to take control of England from King Charles II.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like The King’s Thief
  5. 5 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

The King’s Thief Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The King’s Thief (1955) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Duke's power leads to executions

    James, the Duke of Brampton, wields immense influence with King Charles II. His power is such that he can order the execution of two of the King's loyal friends for treason. The second victim is the father of Lady Mary, setting her on a path to seek justice.

    Where
    London, England
  2. Father of Lady Mary executed

    Lady Mary, grieving and determined, travels from France to London to seek justice for her father's death. She aims to confront the man behind the treachery that stripped her family of peace and security.

    Where
    London, England
  3. Mary travels to London to seek justice

    In London, Mary meets Michael Dermott, a soldier who fought to restore Charles II to the throne. He is described as someone who has fallen on hard times since soldiers were unpaid. This encounter links her quest for justice to his risky world.

    Where
    London, England
  4. Mary meets Michael Dermott

    Mary's meeting with Michael marks the beginning of an uneasy alliance. They sense that justice may require risking everything. Together, they begin to navigate a dangerous game.

    Where
    London, England
  5. Michael's backstory: unpaid soldiers turned highwaymen

    Michael Dermott reveals that he and many of his fellow soldiers were never paid for their services to restore Charles II. With no compensation or clear future, he has turned to a life as a highwayman.

    Where
    England
  6. Robbery and the notebook fall into their hands

    Michael and his comrades rob the Duke of Brampton and come into possession of the Duke's notebook. The notebook lists twelve rich and powerful people and details of their possessions. It hints at a conspiracy that could topple or ruin many if exposed.

    Where
    Duke of Brampton's estate
  7. Notebook reveals twelve targets, two crossed out

    The notebook contains twelve names and possessions; two are crossed out, leaving ten targets exposed. Michael realizes the others are in peril. The threat looms over the powerful.

    Where
    Duke of Brampton's estate
  8. First blackmail attempt against the Duke

    Michael attempts to blackmail the Duke with the notebook, hoping to gain leverage. The Duke resists, showing that his grip on power remains unshaken.

    Where
    Duke of Brampton's estate
  9. Simon the fence betrays the hiding place

    A fence named Simon betrays Michael's hiding place. The betrayal exposes them to the Duke's men. The danger increases as the clock ticks on their next move.

    Where
    Duke's estate
  10. Escape from the Duke's soldiers

    Michael and Jack escape from the Duke's soldiers; Michael is wounded in the shoulder during the escape. They must push ahead despite the injury and pursuit.

    Where
    Duke's estate
  11. Duke's pursuit to retrieve his notebook

    Adventure abounds as the Duke tries to retrieve his property before it can be used against him. The chase intensifies as both sides scramble for control of the notebook's power.

    Where
    England
  12. Ten targets face peril as the plot tightens

    With ten targets at risk, the stakes mount as power and revenge collide. The pursuit continues to unfold across locations as allies and enemies circle the notebook's power.

    Where
    England

Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 13:35

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Timeline questions answered

The King’s Thief Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The King’s Thief (1955): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Michael Dermott working as a highwayman?

Michael Dermott was a soldier who fought to restore King Charles II to the throne. However, he and many other soldiers were never paid for their services, unknown to the King himself. With no compensation and no clear future, Michael turned to a life of highway robbery to survive.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish the King's trust in the Duke, hinting at how easily the monarchy's debts could be overlooked.

  • michael dermott
  • unpaid soldiers
  • highwayman
  • king charles ii
Q2

Why did the Duke of Brampton have the power to execute the King's loyal friends?

James, the Duke of Brampton, was the richest man in England and held such immense influence with King Charles II that he could order the execution of two of the King's loyal friends for treason. The exact mechanism of this power is not detailed, but his wealth and position gave him near-total access to the King.

  • duke of brampton
  • king charles ii
  • executed
  • treason
  • power
Q3

What was in the notebook that Michael stole from the Duke?

The notebook contained a list of twelve rich and powerful people in England, along with details of their possessions. It appeared to be evidence of a conspiracy, as the names were accompanied by information that could be used to ruin or expose these individuals.

Foreshadowing: The earlier execution of Lady Mary's father hints at the Duke's willingness to eliminate those who threaten his plans.

  • duke's notebook
  • conspiracy
  • twelve names
  • blackmail
Q4

Why were two names crossed out in the Duke's notebook?

Two names in the notebook were already crossed out, indicating that those two individuals had already been dealt with by the Duke. Lady Mary's father was one of them, as he was the second victim whose execution the Duke orchestrated.

Foreshadowing: The execution of Lady Mary's father at the Duke's order directly connects to the crossed-out names.

  • crossed out names
  • lady mary's father
  • executed
  • targets
Q5

Why did Simon the fence betray Michael's hiding place?

Simon was a fence who had been helping Michael and his comrade Jack. However, he betrayed Michael's hiding place to the Duke's soldiers, exposing their location. The specific motivation for this betrayal is not detailed in the summary, but it was likely driven by the Duke's power and pressure.

  • simon the fence
  • betrayal
  • duke's soldiers
  • escape
Q6

How did Lady Mary meet Michael Dermott in London?

Lady Mary traveled from France to London to seek justice for her father's execution by the Duke of Brampton. While in London, she encountered Michael Dermott, who was operating as a highwayman. Their meeting occurred as Mary navigated the dangerous world of the city's underworld in pursuit of her own justice.

Foreshadowing: The summary establishes Mary as a determined figure seeking revenge, naturally drawing her to others opposed to the Duke.

  • lady mary
  • michael dermott
  • paris
  • london
  • justice
Q7

Why were ten people in danger according to the notebook?

After realizing two names were crossed out, Michael understood that the remaining ten people listed in the Duke's notebook were still in peril. The notebook appeared to be part of a conspiracy where the Duke planned to eliminate or blackmail these ten wealthy and powerful individuals to seize control of England.

Foreshadowing: The Duke's ability to have the King's friends executed demonstrates he has both the motive and means to target these ten people.

  • ten targets
  • conspiracy
  • duke of brampton
  • peril
Q8

How did Michael and Jack escape from the Duke's soldiers?

Michael and his comrade Jack managed to escape from the Duke's soldiers, though Michael was wounded in the shoulder during the escape. Despite the injury, they continued their pursuit to use the notebook against the Duke before he could retrieve it.

  • michael wounded
  • escape
  • jack
  • duke's soldiers

Movie threads

More Movies Like The King’s Thief, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The King’s Thief tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Swashbuckling Conspiracy Thrillers like The King’s Thief

Rogues and heroes race against time to expose treasonous plots in high-stakes adventures. If you enjoyed the daring plots and royal intrigue of The King’s Thief, explore more movies where charming rogues uncover conspiracies. These films feature thrilling adventures, noble causes, and high-stakes action.

  • swashbuckling
  • conspiracy
  • thrilling
  • urgent
  • adventurous
  • dangerous
  • Tone: tense, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic pattern: an outsider or underdog stumbles upon a vast conspiracy threatening the established order. They must use their wits, courage, and often unorthodox skills to gather proof, evade powerful enemies, and ultimately expose the plot. The journey is filled with suspenseful set pieces and a clear moral conflict between justice and corruption.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their high-energy blend of action and intrigue. They share a specific mood of adventurous suspense, a fast-paced plot centered on exposing a threat, and a satisfying, triumphant conclusion.

Daring Rogue's Redemption Stories like The King’s Thief

An outcast or criminal finds purpose and honor by fighting for a cause greater than themselves. Fans of The King’s Thief will enjoy other films about charismatic outsiders who find redemption. These stories feature exciting adventures where a rogue's skills become their greatest asset in a righteous fight.

  • redemption
  • charming rogue
  • adventurous
  • romantic
  • honor
  • class disparity
  • Tone: tense, romantic
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative centers on a protagonist who starts outside the law or social order. A pivotal event—often an injustice or a personal connection—pushes them to take a stand against a powerful antagonist. Their journey is as much about internal change and proving their worth as it is about the external conflict, culminating in their acceptance and a happy ending.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films through a powerful character archetype: the redeemable rogue. The shared experience is one of thrilling action intertwined with a satisfying personal transformation, where charm and grit overcome rigid class structures.

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Every angle

The King’s Thief (1955) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The King’s Thief in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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