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.
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.
The Hyrulean Knight in Darunia Town teaching Link the jump thrust attack.
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. Besides the two Knights from Mido and Darunia towns, there is also the River Man from the Water Town of Saria, who has a similar appearance to the Knights, but with darker color.
A Link to the Past
An image from the A Link to the Past Nintendo Player's Guide showing the Imprisoning War.
In A Link to the Past, the Knights of Hyrule were an elite family of knights who were tasked with protecting both the Hylian Royal Family and the Crest of Courage (Pendant of Courage in English)- one of the three crests needed for a hero to obtain the legendary Master Sword.[9] In the Nintendo of America translation of A Link to the Past, the Knights of Hyrule were said to be an elite order of knights, rather than a specific family.[10] In the Hyrule Historia, the Knights of Hyrule are said to be a clan of knights.[4]
In the backstory of A Link to the Past, prior to Ganon's attempt at invading Hyrule known as the Imprisoning War, the King of Hyrule was said to have called upon the help of both the Knights of Hyrule and the Sages in an attempt to preemptively stop Ganon.[11][12] This attempt failed, and before a hero was found to wield the Master Sword, Ganon began his invasion of Hyrule- thus beginning the Imprisoning War.[13][14] During the battle the Knights of Hyrule fought valiantly against Ganon's armies,[15][16] and even sacrificed themselves by using their own bodies as a shield in order to protect the Sages long enough for them to cast their seal over the Sacred Realm.[17][18] Though they were successful in their task, the family of the Knights of Hyrule were almost completely wiped out by Ganon's forces.[19][20][21][22][23][24]
After the events of the Imprisoning War a prophesy was made of a Great Cataclysm.[25][26] According to the prophesy, when a great catastrophie befalls Hyrule, a hero shall rise from the bloodline of the family of the Knights of Hyrule bearing the three crests (pendants) in order to wield the Master Sword.[27][28] During the events of A Link to the Past, Link fulfills this prophesy by collecting the three crests (pendants), drawing the Master Sword from it's pedestal, and defeating Ganon.[29][30]
Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time offical art of the Hylian Shield, which the Hylian Knights would use.
In Ocarina of Time, Link, the Hero of Time, wields the legendary Master Sword and, along with the help of Zelda and the six other Sages, seals Ganon in the void of the Evil Realm,[31][32] or in the Japanese version, the "darkness beyond the realm of the dead," or "world of darkness."[33][34] In doing so, Link prevents the Imprisoning War from ever happening. It is only in the situation where the Hero of Time is defeated by Ganon that leads to the events prior to A Link to the Past.[35] With this being the case, the Knights of Hyrule have minimal mention in Ocarina of Time. Only Soldiers make on-screen appearances in this title, while the Knights are only mentioned in the item description of the Hylian Shield, where it is said to be the type of shield used by the Knights.[8] A Gossip Stone reveals that Malon of Lon Lon Ranch wishes that "a knight in shining armor will come and sweep her off her feet someday".[36] In the Hyrule Historia it is later suggested that The Hero of Time is of the family of the Knights of Hyrule.[4]
Oracle of Seasons
Link, Din, Impa, and the Hylian Knights that are disguised as a troupe of performers.
Link with the Green Knight of Hyrule: The Guardian of the Green Jewel
In Four Swords Adventures the Knights of Hyrule are highly esteemed throughout Hyrule for their bravery, and are said to be the pride of the kingdom because of their willingness to lay down their lives for the sake of honor.[39] Ages prior to the events of Four Swords Adventures, the Knights of Hyrule were entrusted with guarding the Four Sacred Jewels, which are needed in order to open a pathway to the Realm of the Heavens.[40]
Just prior to the events of Four Swords Adventures, the Knights of Hyrule, along with the Four Sacred Jewels, had mysteriously gone missing. Using the power of the evil Trident he had stolen from the Pyrimid within the Desert of Doubt, Ganon overtook the Knights,[41] transforming them into monstrous Big Dark Stalfos'[42][43] and cursed the Sacred Jewels into becoming portals to the Dark World.[44]
In order to save Hyrule, Link is tasked with collecting the Four Sacred Jewels.[45] By defeating each of the the Big Dark Stalfos' in battle, Link manages to free each of the Knights from their curses and restores the Sacred Jewels.[46] Once free of Ganon's influence, each Knight entrusts the Sacred Jewel under their protection to Link before passing away.[47]
In Four Swords Adventures Link is never described as being part of the clan of the Knights of Hyrule, and seems to be unfamiliar with them.[39] Even so, Link's bravery is described as being similar to that of the Knights.[48] Coincidentally, the colors of the four Knights shown in this title (Blue, Green, Red, and Purple) correspond with the colors of the four Links that form from using the Four Sword.
The Wind Waker
The Knight's Crest: The symbol of a courageous knight
The Wind Waker takes place ages after the events of Ocarina of Time, where the Hero of Time successfully sealed away Ganon with the help of Zelda and the six other Sages.[49] Echoing the events prior to A Link to the Past, Ganon eventually broke from his seal and attempted again to conquer Hyrule.[50] The people of Hyrule hoped that the Hero of Time would return to save Hyrule again, but when he never appeared, the people of Hyrule prayed to the gods to intervine.[51] As a result, Hyrule was flooded and became the Great Sea.[52]
Knight statues in Wind Waker
Due to the setting of this title, the Knights of Hyrule make no appearance in the Wind Waker. They are only explicitly mentioned once in passing by The King of Red Lions, who states that prior to the Great Flood not even the Knights of Hyrule were able to penetrate Ganon's Tower.[53]
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.[54][55][56] These crests are the "symbol of a courageous knight."[55] 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.[57]
Link, the Hero of Winds, is said to be unrelated to the Hero of Time, nor is there any indication that he is of the clan of the Knights of Hyrule.[58] Even so, when Link is able to strike Orca 100 times during sword training, Orca will claim that Link is a knight.[59] Also the Hero's Shield which is said to have been used by the Hero himself[60] was was a family heirloom.[61]
Twilight Princess
Offical concept art of the Hero's Shade, the restless spirit of the Hero of Time, who may be a Knight of Hyrule.
Like in Ocarina of Time, the Knights of Hyrule do not make a direct appearance in Twilight Princess, and are only mentioned in passing. The character Ashei says that her father was a knight in his own right, but this seems to be a reference to his martial abilities, and not meant to indicate that he was of the clan of the Knights of Hyrule.[64]
During the events of Twilight Princess, the Hero of Twilight is trained in swordfighting by a spirit of one of his ancestors, known as the Hero's Shade.[65][66] Though it's not directly stated in game, the Hyrule Historia states that the Hero's Shade is actually the restless spirit of the Hero of Time,[67] who only finds peace in the afterlife when he's finished teaching the Hero of Twilight his sword techniques.[68] Since the Hero of Time is suggested to have been a member of the Knights of Hyrule clan in the Hyrule Historia, it also follows that the Hero of Twilight may too be a member of this clan.[4]
Breath of the Wild
In Breath of the Wild, Sir Link[69] 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.[70]
The Knights of Hyrule were equipped with the Knight's Gear equipment archetype, a set of weaponry known for its reliability and durability and which would remain in use in the wake of the the Great Calamity.[71][72][73][74]
A test in Hyrule Castle was created to judge whether or not soldiers should become a Knight by testing their strength against a Stalnox. Upon completion, the victor would be given a Hylian Shield and be recognized as a royal knight. The name of the test, "Test of the Royal Guard," suggests a connection between the Royal Guard and the Knights of Hyrule.[75]
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
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.[79] 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.[80] After Agahnim kills Link's uncle, he orders that all those in the Knight's Line must be eliminated at once, including Link.[81] 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.[82] 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.[83]
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
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.[84]
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
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.
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
Soldier from 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.
Gallery
A Knight's horse bridle from Breath of the Wild
A Knight's horse saddle from Breath of the Wild
Knight Captain Adventure Mode icon from Hyrule Warriors
Sir Link as a knight from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Sir Link as a knight with Princess Zelda from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
↑Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 223 (TAoLThe Adventure of Link)
↑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)
↑ 4.04.14.24.3"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 thatthe Hero will one day reappear within their ranks. 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, pg. 93
↑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. — 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. — Maiden (A Link to the Past)
↑ 8.08.1This is a big, heavy shield just like the ones Hylian Knights use. It can stand up to flame attacks! — Bazaar Owner (Ocarina of Time)
↑"Long ago, there was a family of people who protected the Hylian royal family. They were called the Knight Family, who kept charge of the Crest of Courage,.."-Sahasrahla, after beating East Palace (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazi of Zelda Legends)
↑"Three or four generations ago, an order of knights protected the royalty of the Hylia. These Knights Of Hyrule were also guardians of the Pendant Of Courage."-Sahasrahla, after beating East Palace (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"...but when the Seven Sages' seal was carried out, I'm afraid most of them perished in the battle with the demons."-Sahasrahla, after beating East Palace (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazi of Zelda Legends)
↑"Unfortunately, most of them were destroyed in the great war against evil that took place when the seven wise men created their seal."-Sahasrahla, after beating East Palace (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"When the Seven Sages sealed the passage to the Dark World, the ones who protected them from the attack of the demons was the the Knight Family. I heard that in the battle then, the Knight's bloodline nearly died out..."-Maiden in the Village of Outcasts (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazi of Zelda Legends)
↑"As the wise men 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..."-Maiden in the Village of Outcasts (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"A prediction handed down among the descendants of the Hylians, starting with the Seven Sages, tells of a "Great Catastrophe"." - Aginah (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazit of Zelda Legends)
↑"This must be an omen of the Great Cataclysm foretold by the people of Hylian blood..." - Aginah (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"When the "Great Catastrophe" befalleth, the "Hero" carrying three crests shall come, and by those hands shall he draw out this sword. That person will be one who doth carry the blood of Knight Family."-Inscription on the Master Sword's Pedestal (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazi of Zelda Legends)
↑"The Hero's triumph on Cataclysm's Eve Wins three symbols of virtue. The Master Sword he will then retrieve, Keeping the Knight's line true."-Inscription on the Master Sword's Pedestal (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Link, good job coming this far for me. You were, after all, the legendary "Hero"." -Zelda, in Turtle Rock (Translation of the Japanese by KWhazi of Zelda Legends)
↑"I appreciate your coming so far to rescue me. As I thought, you are the legendary Hero"-Zelda, in Turtle Rock (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Ancient Creators of Hyrule! Now, open the sealed door and send the Evil Incarnation of Darkness into the void of the Evil Realm!!" -Zelda (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Thank you, Link... Thanks to you, Ganondorf has been sealed inside the Evil Realm! Thus, peace will once again reign in this world...for a time." -Zelda (Nintendo of America Translation
↑"Ancient gods who created Hyrule! Open the sealed door now and entomb the evil incarnation of darkness beyond the realm of the dead!!" -Zelda (Translation of the Japanese by jacensolo06 of Zelda Legends)
↑"Thank you, Link? Thanks to your power, Ganondorf has been sealed in the world of darkness. Now this world will once again begin a time of peace." -Zelda (Translation of the Japanese by jacensolo06 of Zelda Legends)
↑"Ganondorf the thief obtained the Triforce of Power and managed to get his hands on Princess Zelda. The Hero of Time, Link, challenged him in a battle that would determine Hyrule’s very existence, and lost." -Hyrule Historia pg. 92
↑They say that Malon of Lon Lon Ranch hopes a knight in shining armor will come and sweep her off her feet someday. — Gossip Stone (Ocarina of Time)
↑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)
↑ 39.039.1"You've heard of the Knights of Hyrule, of course! They're the pride of the kingdom! They would lay down their lives for honor!" -The Green Maiden (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"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 o Hyrule." -The Green Maiden (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Hear now the doom of the knights. We were bested by a foe with a mighty weapon." -The Red Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"To my shame, I fell under the sway of dark powers and was transformed into a base creature of magic." -The Blue Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"No, WE servants of the crown were turned into monsters!" -The Red Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"The jewel was also cursed, and it became a portal to the Dark World." -The Blue Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Free them from their dark curses and retrieve the jewels!" -The Blue Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Thanks to you, we have been freed from the dark spells that bound us." -The Purple Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"You must now take the four royal jewels past this ice-bound temple and fly to sacred grounds!" -The Purple Knight (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"You passed through the flames to rescue me! Such bravery. You're just like the Knights of Hyrule!" -The Green Maiden (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"But then, when all hope had died, and the hour of doom seemed at hand......a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil's bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. This boy, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time." -The Wind Waker Prologue (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"But then... a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom. The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed away by the hero......once again crept forth from the depths of the earth, eager to resume its dark designs." -The Wind Waker Prologue (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them.... But the hero did not appear. Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods." -The Wind Waker Prologue (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"When the gods heard our pleas, they chose to seal away not only Ganon, but Hyrule itself...and so, with a torrential downpour of rains from the heavens... Our fair kingdom was soon buried beneath the waves, forgotten at the bottom of the ocean." -Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"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 (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑All who are skilled in the ways of the sword know the value of a crest such as this! — Inventory (The Wind Waker)
↑ 55.055.1The 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)
↑"The one I have brought with me has no connection to the legendary one." -The King of Red Lions (Nintendo of America Translation
↑"I guess it was wrong of me to treat you like you were still a lowly page. You are a page no more! Now you are a knight!" -Orca (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑You got the Hero's Shield! This is the legendary shield said to have been used by the hero himself! — N/A (The Wind Waker)
↑In the olden days, this was the day boys were finally considered to be men. They were taught the ways of the sword to prepare them for battle with their enemies. Hanging the family shield on the wall as decoration is another tradition that has been carried down from those days. — Link's Grandma (The Wind Waker)
↑"In Hyrule, Princess Zelda was informed of what would happen in the future by Link, the Hero of Time. She realized that leaving Ganondorf to his own devices would cause the downfall of her kingdom." -Hyrule Historia pg. 113
↑"Several hundred years after Ganondorf ’s defeat, relations between Gerudo Village and Hyrule had become friendly once more, and peace had been restored to the land. However, one day a new Ganondorf was born into the world." -Hyrule Historia pg. 119
↑"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." -Ashei (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"Those are only for one who carries the blood of the hero...the one whose spirit is that of the sublime beast." -Hero's Shade (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"At last, the skills I have to teach you have entered the realm of true secrecy. They are forgotten ways that do not leave our bloodline." -Hero's Shade (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑"The spirit of Link’s ancestor, the Hero of Time, teaches him his secrets." -Hyrule Historia pg. 118
↑"Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those who came after. At last, I have eased my regrets." -The Hero's Shade (Nintendo of America Translation)
↑Sir... Sir Link... My Cuccos... My precious Cuccos... (when all Cuccos are removed from their pen) — Cado (Breath of the Wild)
↑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)
↑Knight's Broadsword Knights of Hyrule once carried this sword. These days it's the weapon of choice for seasoned adventurers thanks to its ease of use and high attack power. — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
↑Knight's Claymore Only the most confident of Hyrule Castle's knights carried this two-handed sword. Its cutting edge is finely honed. — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
↑Knight's Bow The sturdy metal construction of this bow offers superior durability, while its lack of firing quirks makes it quite reliable. Once favored by the knights at Hyrule Castle. — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
↑Knight's Shield A shield favored by the knights who served the Hyrulean royal family. Its sturdy metal construction makes it quite durable, but its weight requires decent skill to wield. — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
↑- Test of the Royal Guard - Strike down the giant foe to become recognized as a knight of the kingdom. — Sign (Breath of the Wild)
↑He was a royal knight. He had been originally appointed for my protection. — Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom)
↑I am quite surprised to learn that you are the legendary swordsman, Sir Link. — Yona (Tears of the Kingdom)
↑We could not have achieved this without our dear King Sidon, our heroic Sir Link, and all of us who call the domain home. — Yona (Tears of the Kingdom)
↑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 (Ishinomori), VIZ Media, 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 (Ishinomori), VIZ Media, 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 (Ishinomori), VIZ Media, 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 (Ishinomori), VIZ Media, 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. (A Link to the Past (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 72)
↑Alcune generazioni addietro, il Regno di Hylia era protetto da alcuni nobili eroi chiamati i Cavalieri di Hyrule. — Sahasrahla (A Link to the Past, Italian version)
↑Premi B per parlare con lo spadaccino nell'edificio! (Press B to talk with the swordsman in the builing!) — Level 6-1 (NES Remix 2, Italian version)
