Get to Know the Classic LEGO® Castle Factions!

Discover the glory, drama and adventure of LEGO® knights through the ages!

When the iconic yellow Castle (375) stormed the LEGO world in 1978, it spawned a legacy like no other: the beloved LEGO Castle theme. This medieval marvel was the gateway to a world of daring knights, shadowy outlaws and legendary factions that would inspire generations of fans.

But who are the iconic factions that ruled this medieval realm? From the noble Crusaders to the mysterious Wolfpack, each group brought its own unique flavor to the story, complete with distinctive colors, insignias and gear. They’ve even been celebrated in modern sets like the medieval Blacksmith (21325) – a testament to their enduring popularity.

What truly sets these factions apart, though, is the incredible fan-driven folklore they’ve inspired. From tales of epic battles to alliances and rivalries, these stories reflect the creativity and imagination that LEGO Castle fans bring to the table.

Ready your shields and toot the medieval horn – BA-RUM-RA-RA-RUMMM – it’s time to look back through the epic characters that brought this world to life…

The Lion Knights

Introducing the Lion Knights, known as this due to their iconic shield insignia! Arriving officially in 1984, their empire stretched across blacksmiths, armories, royal escorts and so much more. They were the owners of the largest castle at the time, which could be expanded with fan-favorite sets like the Guarded Inn (6067).

But what is a knight without their insignia? The Lion Knights had a mighty get-up, armed with a blue, red and yellow shield featuring a rampant lion on a opposing bright background – ready to attack the Black Falcons! Roaring success? We think so!

The Black Falcons

It’s time to take flight with what fans believed was a more sinister faction… the Black Falcons, also introduced in 1984! Armed with a slick coat of arms featuring a falcon in flight with outstretched wings on a split black-and-white (eventually silver) background, they played quite the part in LEGO medieval lore.

You can find the Falcons in a range of iconic sets, none more so than the Black Falcon’s Fortress (6074) from 1986, which cleverly depicts a Tudor-like aesthetic, introducing panels printed to look like Tudor ‘wattle and daub’ walls.

Led by the mighty Black Knight, the Black Falcons were the perfect protagonists to play out ongoing skirmishes with the Lion Knights! Did they disappear for a while after the attack by the Lion Knights in the Battering Ram (6062) in 1987? Some fans think so. Regardless, they reappeared in the LEGO Ideas Blacksmith (21325) in 2020 and have been making cameos in sets ever since.

The Forest People

So, we had the Lion Knights and the Black Falcons… but in 1987, a new saboteur joined their midst, tapping into the world of forest-dwelling folk who lived beyond the confines of a castle.

Introducing the Forest People – believed to be inspired by the legend of Robin Hood. Dressed in green pants, green hats and tunics with varying colors, they seamlessly blended into their woodland surroundings, ready and armed – crossbow in hand!

These forest dwellers added a new dimension to the Castle ecosystem, often found dwelling within their hideouts that were neatly built into the forest landscape. Sneaky!

The Black Knights

Fan legend has it that once the Lion Knights defeated the Black Falcons, the Black Knight decided to escape to his ancestral home – where he founded the Black Knights. The first appearance of this fearsome faction was in Black Monarch’s Castle (6085) in 1988, and from there they continued to wreak havoc in sets like Sea Serpent (6057) and Black Knight’s Castle (6086). Epic!

What makes the Black Knights stand out? Their forces wore unmarked armor. Only the Blue Dragon on their shields and the barding on their horses identified them – a subtle symbol of their, let’s say, fiery spirit.

The Wolfpack

Owooo! The Wolfpack came a-howling in 1992. Based in the Wolfpack Tower (6075), their faction gave the vibe of being cold-hearted ruffians that would steal, sabotage and trade in information, thriving in the shadows where others feared to tread. This legendary tower set included the first faction characters to have more than just the standard smiley face. Yep – they had eyepatches, moustaches and even a bit of stubble.

Armed with shields bearing a silver wolf’s head, the Wolfpack were always ready to leap into action. Legend has it that members of the Wolfpack were also found sneaking around the Black Knight’s Castle (6086) and the Fire Breathing Fortress (6082). Sneaky…

The Dragon Masters

Everything changed in 1993 when a new threat arose in the kingdom: the Dragon Knights. Led by the cunning wizard Majisto – glow-in-the-dark wand in hand – and the Dragon Master Burnabus, these Dragon Knights had something the other groups could only dream of: actual, real-life dragons. Dun, dun, dunnnnnn!

Striking from the Fire Breathing Fortress (6082), fans believe the fiery roars of the Dragon Masters’ dragons were enough to send even the bravest knights running for cover (looking at you, Black Knights…).

The Dragon Masters’ sets unsurprisingly included a lot of dragons. From their armor – green and red dragons on a yellow background – to their torsos featuring a dragon in flight or a dragon head, and even on the structure of Majisto’s Tower (1906).

The Royal Knights

In 1995, the Royal Knights were introduced as a new foe to the Dragon Masters. Legend has it that King Lionheart renamed his Lion faction and updated the coat of arms. A grand sight to behold, the Royal Knights resided in the Royal Knight’s Castle (6090). This set brought the first ‘shiny metallic’ chrome-effect crown and swords – ooh!

Their shields feature a golden lion’s head that rightfully wears a crown (they are royals, after all!) on a vertically divided white-and-red field. Fans also believe the King’s chromed sword ‘Lion Heart’ can defeat a dragon with a single strike. Yikes…

The Fright Knights

This era of LEGO Castle ended in 1997 with the Fright Knights – suited up in grey, black and red armor. With an epic shield showing a black bat with outstretched wings, the Fright Knights weren’t ruled by a king but by Basil the Bat Lord.

Basil the Bat Lord and the Fright Knights worked from their trap-laden lair, The Night Lord’s Castle (6097). But rumor has it that Willa the Witch, the dark sorceress with her flying machines and crystal balls, was the real power behind the Fright Knights, seeking to extend her reach beyond this world. Truly a force to be reckoned with!

And there you have it – your essential guide to the classic Castle factions! Of course, this is just the tip of the drawbridge. Many newer factions and countless fan-driven legends await your discovery. But that’s the magic of LEGO Castle – the adventure is never truly over and there’s always a story to be told…