The Knights of Hyrule,(ALttP)[1] also known as Hylian Knights,[2] are a recurring group of characters in The Legend of Zelda series. They are the protectors of the Royal Family of Hyrule. They played a large role in A Link to the Past, in which they fought valiantly against Ganon in the backstory;[3] and in Four Swords Adventures, in which they guarded the Royal Jewels but were cast into the Dark World and corrupted by Ganon.
The Knights of Hyrule are revealed to be a powerful clan that were descended from the legendary hero's spiritual successors who governed the crest of courage.[4][5] The knights serve the purpose to protect the Royal Family of Hyrule, the Goddess Hylia's mortal descendants for generations.[6] An incarnation of the legendary hero, Link, usually is born from the knightly bloodline[7] and often has the objective to be Princess Zelda's personal guardian.
Their symbol is the Hylian Crest used to represent the Crimson Loftwing and the sacred relic of the Golden Goddesses: the Triforce, which are also featured on the Hylian Shield, said to be used by the knights.[8]
With the history of Hyrule splitting and taking three different paths after the events of Ocarina of Time, the historical appearances of the Knights of Hyrule also splits, giving them three different destinies over the course of the three histories.
Appearances
The Adventure of Link
In The Adventure of Link, before the story of the Knights of Hyrule was told in A Link to the Past, two Hyrulean Knights appear to teach Link their sword techniques. One, found in Mido Town, teaches the Down Thrust and the other one, found in Darunia Town, teaches the Jump Thrust.
The River Man from the Water Town of Saria is similar in appearance to the Knight from Mido, but with darker color.
A Link to the Past
The war between the Knights and Ganon's army.
The backstory of A Link to the Past tells of a conflict known as the Imprisoning War in which the Knights fought valiantly to protect the Sages while they cast their seal over the Sacred Realm.[3] These Knights were almost wiped out in the war against Ganon,[9] but their line continued until the last of the Knights' bloodline, Link, could fulfill the prophecy of the Great Cataclysm.[10][11]
Ocarina of Time
The wounded soldier, who dies trying to save Zelda
While only the Soldiers make on-screen appearances in this title, the Knights are mentioned in dialogue. The Hylian Shield is mentioned as being the type of shield used by the Knights.[8] Link finds a wounded soldier in a back alley who tells Link of how he tried to save Zelda from Ganondorf.[12] The death of this soldier is seen by many fans as a nod to the heroic knights who defended the Sages during the backstory for A Link to the Past. It is never stated whether this soldier is a member of the Knights, however.
The Hero of Time might have been a Knight of Hyrule or was descended from the knights.[13]
Oracle of Seasons
Link, Din, Impa and the Hylian Knights disguised as a troupe of performers
The Hylian Knights make an appearance in Oracle of Seasons, disguised as a Troupe of Performers.[14] Under orders from Princess Zelda, they sneak Din out of Holodrum into Hyrule.[15] However, they are quite easily taken out by the General Onox.
It should be noted that the troupe only reveals themselves to be Hylian Knights in a Linked Game, continuing from the events of what happened in Oracle of Ages.
Four Swords Adventures
Guardian of the Green Jewel
The Royal knights are charged with the task of guarding the four Royal Jewels in Four Swords Adventures.[16] Link must collect these jewels in order to save Hyrule.
The Knights were twisted by Ganon's dark magic and transformed into Big Dark Stalfos.[17] Link is forced to kill each of the four Knights in order to free them from the evil magic's influence.
The Red Knight mentions that Ganon used a "mighty weapon" to trap them in the Dark World.[18] This refers to the evil Trident that Ganon stole from the Pyramid.
The Wind Waker
Statues of Knights in Hyrule Castle
The Knights are only mentioned in passing in this game, but it is mentioned that even they could not attempt to lay siege to Ganon's Tower.[19] A common spoils item found in the game is the Knight's Crest, which is said to signify a mastery of swordsmanship for its owner.[20][21][22]
These crests are the "symbol of a courageous knight".[21] It is possible that swordsmen like Orca collect these crests to honor the Knights' legacy or as a symbol of courage. Collecting 10 of these crests allows Link to learn the Hurricane Spin, a move that is known to have been used by the Knights.[23]
There are also statues of several Knights in Hyrule Castle in the room where Link meets Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule.
Twilight Princess
Metalic suit of armor
Hylian Knights in Hyrule Castle have empty suits of armor stationed throughout.
In Twilight Princess, Ashei's father is said to be a knight in his own right. However, it is unclear if he was actually a Knight of Hyrule.[24]
Breath of the Wild
Stone suit of armor
In Breath of the Wild Link was a knight and served as Princess Zelda's personal bodyguard 100 years prior to his reawakening. Link's father was said to be a member of the Knights of Hyrule.[25]
There are several pieces equipment in the game that the Knights of Hyrule used. Such as the Knight's Bow, Knight's Broadsword, Knight's Claymore, Knight's Halberd, and Knight's Shield.
There is also Knight equipment for Link's horse. The Knight's Bridle and Knight's Saddle are obtained from a minigame.
Non-canon Appearances
Hyrule Warriors
In Hyrule Warriors, Knights take the rank of Captains, which are stronger variants that take lead and take on various other roles determined by their type, as well as Generals or Commanders, which are typically much stronger Soldiers that are crucial to a Force.
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)
Link is appointed as the Master of the Hyrule Knights by Queen Zelda
Like in the game, Link is a descendant of the Knights of Hyrule in the A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori.[26] Because Link's parents stumbled into the Dark World, he was adopted by his uncle, who shielded him from the intrigues of the Royal Family.[27] After Agahnim kills Link's uncle, he orders that all those in the Knight's Line must be eliminated at once, including Link.[28] Other than Link and his family, it is also mentioned that Roam is a descendant of a master archer from the ranks of the Knights of Hyrule.[29]
After Link defeats Ganon and restores peace to Hyrule with a wish from the Triforce, the newly-crowned Queen Zelda appoints Link as the Master of the Knights of Hyrule.[30]
A Link to the Past (Himekawa)
The Knights of Hyrule are mentioned by Sahasrahla briefly in his telling of the events of the Imprisoning War in the A Link to the Past manga by Akira Himekawa. He describes them as "fighting valiantly against the evil..." and that many lost their lives in their heroic effort to stop evil.[31]
Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)
In the Ocarina of Time manga by Akira Himekawa, it was revealed by Rauru that Link's Father was a Knight of Hyrule who protected the Royal Family including his family, until he was killed in the Civil War, making his son, the future Hero of Time a descendant of the Hylian Knights.
Four Swords (Himekawa)
In the Four Swords manga by Akira Himekawa, Link's father is a Knight of Hyrule who often has to curb his son's obstinance and tendency to rush into situations without relying on his allies. He is captured and brainwashed by Vaati, and is forced to duel his son, tricked into thinking that he is Shadow Link. He manages to break the curse himself by tossing a knife at Vaati, who had impersonated Princess Zelda. The Link from Four Swords Adventures would be the latest descendant of the Knights as well.
Gallery
A Knight's horse bridle
A Knight's horse saddle
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | ハイラル騎士団 (Hairaru Kishidan) ナイトの一族 (Naito no Ichizoku) |
Hyrule Knight Corps. Clan of Knights |
 |
FrenchEU | Chevaliers d'Hyrule | Knights of Hyrule |
 |
German | Ritter von Hyrule | Knights of Hyrule |
 |
Italian | Cavalieri di Hyrule | Knights of Hyrule |
 |
SpanishEU | Caballeros de Hyrule | Knights of Hyrule |
See Also
References
- ↑ "I shall teach you one of the secret sword techniques used by the Knights of Hyrule..." — Link's Uncle (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 223 (TAoL)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "However, their lives were not lost in vain, for they brought precious time for the Seven Wise Men to magically seal Ganon in the Golden Land." (A Link to the Past manual, pg. 5)
- ↑ "The Knights of Hyrule are a clan that protect the Royal Family, their members descended from the Hero who governed the Crest of Courage. Legend has it that the Hero will one day reappear within their ranks." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 93)
- ↑ "The heroes of these chronicles all share the name Link. These Links might have been the same person, a series of familial descendants, or a numbers of heroes with different names entirely. The Links of certain eras may also have been named after the legendary hero." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 68)
- ↑ "Only a person of the Knights Of Hyrule, who protected the royalty of Hylia, can become the Hero... You are of their blood-line, aren't you? Then you must rescue Zelda without fail." — A Maiden (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "You are perhaps the last one to carry on the blood-line of the Knights... It is ironic that the last one in the line has the potential to become the Hero of legend." — A Maiden (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "This is a big, heavy shield just like the ones Hylian Knights use. It can stand up to flame attacks!" — Bazaar owner (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "As the sages sealed the way to the Dark World, the Knights of Hyrule defended them from the attacks of evil monsters. I heard that the Knights of Hyrule were nearly wiped out in that battle..." — Thieves' Town Maiden (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "You are perhaps the last one to carry on the bloodline of those knights..." — Thieves' Town Maiden (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "The Hero's triumph on Cataclysm's Eve wins three symbols of virtue. The Master Sword he retrieves, keeping the Knight's line true." — Master Sword pedestal (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "Unnngh...are you the boy from the forest...? I-I-I've finally met you...I-I-I have something to t-t-tell you...Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, betrayed our King...Zelda's nanny, Impa, sensed danger and escaped from the castle with our Princess...I tried to stop Ganondorf's men from chasing them...but...The Princess was...waiting for a boy from the forest...that's you...She wanted to give something to the boy...If you received it from the Princess, hurry...to the Temple of Time...." — Wounded Soldier (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Looking back through the ages, it is possible that Link, the Hero of Time, was once a Hylian Knight himself. This may be the reason his mother became embroiled in the fires of war." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 93)
- ↑ "That's just our guise. I can't say it too loud, but we're really Hylian Knights." — Male troupe (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "When I returned to Hyrule, Zelda told me that in addition to Nayru, Din, the Oracle of Seasons, was also in danger. So, as she requested... We've posed as a traveling troupe so we can sneak Din into Hyrule." — Impa (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "In Hyrule, four sacred jewels can open the path to the Realm of the Heavens. The safety of these jewels has for ages been entrusted to the Knights of Hyrule." — Green Maiden (Four Swords Adventures)
- ↑ "I am the Knight of Hyrule charged with guarding the blue royal jewel. To my shame, I fell under the sway of dark powers and was transformed into a base creature of magic." — Blue Knight (Four Swords Adventures)
- ↑ "Hear now the doom of the knights. We were bested by a foe with a mighty weapon. He cast us into the Dark World, where we and the jewels were lost in shadow." — Red Knight (Four Swords Adventures)
- ↑ "Long ago, Ganon's Tower was an impenetrable fortress that not even the daring and dauntless Knights of Hyrule could hope to assail." — King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "All who are skilled in the ways of the sword know the value of a crest such as this!" — Knight's Crest item description (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "The Knight's Crest...It is the symbol of a courageous knight...But not just anyone can gather them...No! It takes a soul who possesses not only power, but wisdom and courage as well!" — Orca (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "On the island due east of here lives an old man who was once a master swordsman. He's got proof of it, too: he has a Knight's Crest." — Fishman (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I shall teach you one of the secret sword techniques used by the Knights of Hyrule...Hold the B Button to focus power in your blade. Release it to unleash the power." — Link's Uncle (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "I grew up in the mountains with my father, who was a knight in his own right. He taught me the arts of war as though I was his son. Of course, lessons in common courtesy were not part of the regimen, so forgive me if I come off as rude, yeah?" — Ashei (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Your path seems to mirror your father's. You've dedicated yourself to becoming a knight, as well. Your commitment to the training necessary to fulfill your goal is really quite admirable. I see now why you would be the chosen one." — Zelda (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "I thought the old fool I destroyed in the castle was the last one! Could it be the whelp is also of their bloodline? Find him! And leave no stone unturned in your search! Do not return to this castle until you witness his last breath! Is that understood?" (A Link to the Past, Nintendo Power, pg. 3)
- ↑ "Your parents were Knights of Hyrule... But they stumbled into the Dark World... You will never be able to enter the Dark World and find your parents! [...] They dwell now in the Dark World... After they disappeared, your uncle adopted you and shielded you from the intrigues of the Royal Family..." (A Link to the Past, Nintendo Power, pg. 14)
- ↑ "Do you mean to tell me that the boy has the Pendant of Courage?! And you weaklings came back here without stopping him? ...I have tried to be merciful to the people of this kingdom, but those in the Knight's Line...they must be TERMINATED!" (A Link to the Past, Nintendo Power, pg. 2)
- ↑ "Roam is the descendant of one of the Knights of Hyrule who was a master archer." Chapter 8 of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori
- ↑ "Link was appointed as Master of the Knights of Hyrule by the newly-crowned Queen Zelda." (A Link to the Past, Nintendo Power, pg. 13)
- ↑ "The Knights of Hyrule fought valiantly against the evil... Many giving their lives in the effort... Thanks to their bravery, the Seven Sages were able to create a seal to trap the darkness... And win peace for Hyrule." (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Viz Media, pg. 72)