LEGO Castle Faction Names According To Kids
From time to time, I like to take a break from the Adult in AFOL and connect with a different core audience of my kids to see what LEGO means to them. My in-depth, multi-faceted, impartial discussion panel (my three sons aged 4, 8, and 9) has previously weighed in with their interpretations of the symbols found in LEGO instructions, LEGO colors, and LEGO part nicknames. This time, I’m asking them to take a look at a few different Castle theme factions over the years and see what their symbols mean to them..
It’s a grand time for Castle factions fans, with one confirmed new faction on the way via a fan vote and possibly another on the way. Revival sets of classic themes like 2002’s The Lion Knights’ Castle have breathed life into long-dormant factions. Will these factions, new and old, battle it out like an episode of Game of Thrones? Only time will tell. They’ve already been duking it out for nigh 50 years at this point. As LEGO spells out, the first page of the book of LEGO Castle factions was written in 1978 with the Yellow Castle set 375.
lego.com
While the set included a few shields with emblems, the castle defender or “Yellow Knights” are considered to be the first faction. The theme took on new forms after this, and the yellow knights weren’t seen again until a 2022 CMF line resurrected them in glorious fashion.
Via Bricklink.com
Over the years, many factions have been introduced—some lost to time while others have been revived at the same time that the original LEGO Castle fans have aged into adults with disposable incomes. So, I’ve asked our kid panel to review some of the factions over the years and weigh in with their thoughts on what their names might be.
(For context of what is to come, one of the panel members is currently obsessed with The Baha Men’s seminal song, Who Let the Dogs out? I wish I was kidding.)
The Forestmen
via bricklink.com
When I think about my time with LEGO Castles as a kid, I think about The Forestmen, specifically the Forestmen’s River Fortress, my biggest set as a kid. This set has a fortress in my heart, and I had hoped the panel would be kind.
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: Those antlers look sharp. Are they “The Sharpers”? It’s brown like our dog. Did someone let the sharp dog out?
7-Year-Old: The Mooses
8-Year-Old: The Deer Somethings. The Something Deers. The Big Deers.
The Black Falcons
The Black Falcons were first named in 1986’s The Black Falcon Fortress:
Via Bricklink.com
via bricklink.com
Not counting recent revivals, the Black Falcons were the longest-running factions, on shelves for about eight years, then disappearing into the plastic either, only to show up as Easter eggs in sets like 2005’s Durmstrang Ship. Will the weight of all those years of memories be felt by the panel?
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: The Crows That Got Let Out Who Who Who!
7-Year-Old: The “want-a-crackers”
8-Year-Old: Is that a hawk? If it’s a hawk, then the Hawks. If it’s a crow, then The Crows.
The Dragon Masters
via bricklink.com
The Dragon Masters were known as The Dragon Knights outside of North America, and they were an active faction for two years starting in 1992. It was also the first Castle theme to add fantasy elements like Dragons and Wizards, including everyone’s favorite childhood wizard, Majisto, the first named minifig in the theme. I was curious if the panel would pick up on those elements when I showed them this shield.
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: The Castle Dragons Let The Dogs Out!
7-Year-Old: The Dragon Guys
8-Year-Old: The Normal Knights - Not like a name, not like “The Normal Knights” but knights like in a fairy tale. They’re knights who are normal. You know, just normal ol’ knights.
The Wolfpack
via bricklink.com
The Wolfpack also had a different name outside of North America: The Wolf People. This faction ran from ‘92 to ‘94. One of the smallest factions, only three sets were originally released for The Wolfpack
That said, it clearly left a mark as it was included in a CMF line earlier this year, with many complaining of scarcity and scalping since it was so desirable. Thanbkfully there are upcoming BrickLink BDP sets featuring the theme, but will the panel connect with this faction in the same way?
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: Ah! It’s a dog! It’s out! Someone get it back. This one is the dog that got out.
7-Year-Old: The “Aaaaaaaawoooooooooooos!” Like a wolf you know? They make that sound, “awwwwwoooooooooooo.”
8-Year-Old: The Wolf Knights
The Royal Knights
Kings and queens had always been implied in the Castle theme, but 1995’s introduction of The Royal Knights was the first time we saw an actual king:
Via Bricklink.com
This faction’s castle, Royal Knight’s Castle, was also the largest LEGO Castle set during its original run. While I have the utmost faith in the panel, I feared the lion on the shield would throw their guesses…
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: The Lion Kings!
7-Year-Old: The Roarers! ROAAAAR!
8-Year-Old: The Royal Knights. Was I right!? I was right! What! How!? … Okay, fine, I cheated, you scrolled too far, and I saw the answer.
The Fright Knights
via bricklink.com
The Fright Knights weren’t ruled by a king, no, instead they were lorded over by Basil The Bat Lord. This faction leaned further into the fantasy side, showcasing black dragons with fire wings, witches, and crystal balls. Another short-running faction, it was only active from 1997 to 1998.
Generally considered to be villains, the Fright Knights’ short run was nothing compared to the lasting memories in our hearts. How will the panel interpret this darker emblem for a scarier faction?
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: The King Bats! Who Who Who. BAAAAAAAATS! Bats bats bats.
7-Year-Old: What sound does a bat make? Whatever that sound is, that’s their name. The Bat Sound Guys.
8-Year-Old: Got to be something with bats. The Cave Monsters or The Bat Guys.
New Kids On The Block
In the very near future, the LEGO Ideas Prize Machine will be released. In a fan vote, LEGO confirmed that at least one of the ‘prizes’ in the set will involve a shield for a new castle faction! The options, as listed in the order below, are The Griffins, The Krakens, The Bulls, and The Crows. This is an interesting task for the panel—these factions don’t technically exist yet and as such are unburned by years of history or nostalgia.
Via Lego.com
Kids’ Guesses:
4-Year-Old: 1. The Dragons, 2. The Mean Rocktopusses, 3. The Real Guys, and 4. The Birdie-Dees
7-Year-Old: 1. Oh! That’s a griffin! It’s half-bird, half-lion. So they’re The Griffins, 2. The Squidmen, 3. The Cowmen, and 4. The Crowmen
8-Year-Old: 1. The Bird Dogs, 2. The Squids, 3. The Cows, and 4. The Crows
Truth in Names
Well there you have it. A big thanks to our panel for willingly being allowed to be mined for content. What’s your favorite faction? Which one do you remember the most? And until next time…
What else should we ask the kids about? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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