Knights of Hyrule
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The Knights took the full brunt of the fierce attack and, althougth they fought courageously, many a brave soul was lost that day.
— A Link to the Past
The Knights of Hyrule are referred to several Zelda games, but only make one appearance. They played a large role in A Link to the Past, in which they fought valiantly against Ganon in the backstory[1]; and in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, in which they guarded the Royal Jewels but were cast into the Dark World and corrupted by Ganon.
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A Link to the Past
The backstory of The Legend of Zelda: 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.[1] These Knights were almost wiped out in the war against Ganon,[2] but their line continued until the last of the Knights' bloodline, Link, could fulfill the prophecy of the Great Cataclysm.[3][4]
Ocarina of Time
While only the Castle Guards 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.[5] Link finds a wounded soldier in a back alley who tells Link of how he tried to save Zelda from Ganondorf.[6] 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 Wind Waker
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.[7] 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.[8][9][10]
These crests are the "symbol of a courageous knight,"[9]. 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.[11]
Four Swords Adventures
The Royal knights are charged with the task of guarding the four Royal Jewels in Four Swords Adventures.[12] Link must collect these jewels in order to save Hyrule.
The Knights were twisted by Ganon's dark magic and transformed into Stalfos.[13] 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.[14] This refers to the evil Trident that Ganon had stolen from the Pyramid.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "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)
- ↑ "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." —Yellow 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)
