The Black Knight is the cursed form of King Edwin. Losing the war meant something worse than mere execution for former monarch.
Chaos, Drakkus’, sorcerer cursed Edwin and his surviving soldiers to live on as undead malformed versions of themselves.
Edwin ruled and lived by the strength of his clear and focused mind. To taunt him for eternity, he was made to become a violent blood thirsty undead soldier, protecting no one and harming any who enter the ruins of his former castle. 
The Crusaders© Card Game 