LEGO Castle Factions: A Complete History
- Admin
- Oct 31
- 10 min read
The Complete History of LEGO Castle Factions
Since LEGO first ventured into medieval themes in 1978, the LEGO Castle line has captured the imaginations of generations of builders with its brave knights, cunning villains, and iconic castles. Over the decades, LEGO Castle has evolved into a rich universe, complete with distinct factions, heraldry, and epic battles. Today, we’re taking a look at the history of these factions, notable sets, and a spotlight on each group.
A Brief History of LEGO Castle
The LEGO Castle theme officially launched in 1978 with simple gray and tan castles, featuring generic knights and soldiers. Over time, LEGO expanded the theme into specific factions with unique colors, heraldry, and stories:
1984–1987: Classic Castle – Introduced black and gray castles with knights and dragons, setting the stage for faction-based storytelling.
1984–1993: Black Falcons, Lion Knights, Wolfpack, Dragon Masters – Each LEGO Castle faction had distinct colors and symbols, appearing across many sets.
1990s: Crusaders & Historical Expansion – LEGO experimented with medieval history, including crusader knights and fortified castles.
2000s–2010s: Modern Castle & Fantasy Lines – Introduced Dragon Knights, Royal Knights, and other fantasy-inspired factions.
Today – LEGO Castle factions remain a fan-favorite among collectors, inspiring custom builds and third-party compatible accessories.
Notable LEGO Castle Sets and Faction Premieres
Some of the most popular LEGO Castle sets that showcased these factions include:
Black Falcons – Black Falcon’s Fortress (6077, 1984), Black Knight’s Castle (6080, 1986)
Lion Knights / Royal Knights – Lion Knights’ Castle (6090, 1984), Royal Knight’s Castle (6086, 1987)
Wolfpack – Wolfpack Tower (6085, 1986), Black Falcon vs Wolfpack sets
Raven Knights – Raven Knights Tower (6081, 1992)
Dragon Masters / Dragon Knights – Dragon Mountain (6091, 1995), Dragon Knight’s Castle (6089, 1994)
King’s Knights – Featured in modern LEGO Castle sets like King’s Castle Siege (2000s)
Complete List of Official LEGO Castle Factions
Over the years, LEGO has introduced numerous factions. Here’s a fairly comprehensive list:
Black Falcons (1984) – Blue and black knights, first appearing in 1984.
Lion Knights / Royal Knights (1984/1995) – Red and blue heraldry, classic heroes of the LEGO Castle line.
Crusaders / Knights of the Cross – Historically inspired, appeared in 1990s Castle sets.
Forestmen (1987) – Introduced in early 1980s, green-themed forest outlaws.
Black Knights / Black Falcons Crusaders (1988) – A darker offshoot or evil version of knights.
Wolfpack (1992) – Dark gray and black, often depicted as raiders or villains.
Dragon Masters / Dragon Knights (1993) – Fantasy-inspired, typically red and gold, wielding dragon-themed weapons.
Royal Knights (1995) – White and red armor, golden crowned lion shields.
Fright Knights (1997) – Grey, black, and red armor with black bat insignias.
Vikings (2005) – Appeared in themed sublines in late 1990s.
Crown Knights (2007) – Introduced in the “Fantasy Era” Castle theme (2007‑2009), featuring a dark blue and light grey color scheme with a crown sigil.
Skeleton Warriors – The undead adversary faction in that same 2007 line, with skull emblems and skeleton minifigs.
Troll Warriors (and other fantasy creatures) – Introduced around 2008 in the Fantasy Era sets, adding monsters/orcs/trolls into the medieval mix.
Dwarves - featured in the Fantasy Era theme, having newly molded beards and dwarven helms, this group had the same color palette as the Crown Knights even featuring belt buckles with the crown sigil, but also reusing some of the Viking Subtheme minfig torsos.
Lion Kingdom (2008) – The heroic knights and defenders of the realm, featuring red and white heraldry and a golden lion sigil.
Dragon Kingdom (2008) – Depicted with a dark green, sand green, and black designs, this faction featured a golden dragon sigil.
King’s Knights (2013) – White and blue with a Crowned Lion Sigil, representing royalty and elite warriors.
Dragon Soldiers (2013) - They serve the Dragon Wizard as the main antagonists to the King’s Knights, clad in red and black armor featuring a fire-breathing dragon sigil.
Raven Knights (2020) – Black and yellowish-orange with a black Raven/Crow, often mysterious or sinister characters.
Horse Knights (2025) – White and blue featuring a horse sigil, classic knight helmets, and often depicted as mounted units.
Serpent Knights (2025) – Black and yellow with serpent emblems, featuring a dark villainous design occasionally with dark purple accents.
Kraken Warriors (2025) – Dark teal and copper-green, ocean-themed armor with kraken motifs.
Griffin Knights (2025) – Red and silver armor, griffin shields, noble aerial-themed faction.
Classic Castle Faction Spotlights (1980s-1990s)
Black Falcons (1984)
Known for their dark blue and black armor, Black Falcons often represent the cunning or opportunistic forces in LEGO Castle battles. Their heraldry features a black falcon on a blue background.
Lion Knights (1984)
The Lion Knights (1984–1992) were one of LEGO Castle’s earliest and most iconic factions, instantly recognizable by their red, blue, and yellow shields adorned with a rampant lion. As masters of sprawling castles, armories, and royal escorts, they dominated the medieval landscape of LEGO sets and were central to epic battles against the Black Falcons. With their distinctive heraldry and bold presence, the Lion Knights became a cornerstone of LEGO Castle lore, inspiring stories, expansions like the Guarded Inn (6067), and eventually evolving into the Royal Knights in 1995.
Forestmen (1987)
Green-clad LEGO archers and rogues who live in the forests, perfect for guerrilla tactics and defending their woodland homes.
Black Knights (1988)
The Black Knights (1988) were a fearsome faction clad in unmarked black armor, identified only by the blue dragon emblem on their shields and horse barding. First appearing in Black Monarch’s Castle (6085), they became notorious for their stealthy raids and menacing presence across LEGO Castle sets.
Wolfpack (1992)
The Wolfpack (1992) features warriors that are the raiders of the LEGO Castle world, featuring gray and black colors. They are usually the antagonists in storylines, perfect for ambushes and sieges.
Dragon Masters / Dragon Knights (1993)
Fantasy-inspired LEGO knights with dragon-themed armor and accessories, these minifigs often wield fire-breathing weapons and dominate in magical storylines.
Royal Knights (1995)
The Royal Knights (1995) were the regal evolution of the LEGO Lion Knights, featuring white-and-red armor, golden crowned lion shields, and shiny metallic weapons. Based in the Royal Knight’s Castle (6090), they brought a noble flair to LEGO Castle battles, standing as a powerful foil to the Dragon Masters.
Fright Knights (1997)
The Fright Knights (1997) were a dark and menacing faction clad in gray, black, and red armor, with bat-emblazoned shields and a trap-filled lair at The Night Lord’s Castle (6097). Led by Basil the Bat Lord — and rumored to be guided by the sorceress Willa the Witch — they brought spooky thrills and perilous adventures to the LEGO Castle world.
The LEGO Vikings Subtheme (2005-2006)
The LEGO Vikings subtheme, released in 2005–2006, sits within the broader Castle universe as a unique, semi-historical branch. Featuring Norse warriors, longships, and coastal fortresses, it expanded LEGO Castle’s medieval storytelling by introducing seafaring raids, new weaponry, and rugged Viking minifigures. While not part of the traditional knight-versus-faction conflicts, the Vikings enriched the LEGO Castle lore by offering alternative medieval adventures and bridging the gap between classic Castle knights and the later Fantasy Era factions.
LEGO Fantasy‑era Castle Factions (2007–2009)
Crown Knights – Introduced in the “Fantasy Era” Castle theme (2007‑2009), representing the human side (led by a King, Queen, Princess).
Skeleton Warriors – The undead adversary faction in that same 2007 line, with skull emblems and skeleton minifigs.
Troll Warriors (and other fantasy creatures) – Introduced around 2008 in the Fantasy Era sets, adding monsters/dwarves/trolls into the medieval mix.
Kingdoms factions – Shortly after (2010‑2012) the “Kingdoms” subtheme revived a more realistic medieval feel but still as part of the broader fantasy‑era transition; this line featured two main factions (Lion Kingdom vs Dragon Kingdom).
Kingdoms Factions (2010–2012)
Following the Fantasy Era, LEGO introduced the Kingdoms subtheme between 2010 and 2012, bringing a more realistic medieval feel while maintaining some fantasy elements. This wave of LEGO Castle revived a realistic medieval feel while bridging into the fantasy-era of LEGO Castle. This subtheme introduced two main factions: the Lion Kingdom, a noble army defending their lands with classic heraldry and loyal knights, and the Dragon Kingdom, a rival force wielding dark armor and dragon-themed insignia. With iconic sets like the Lion Knights’ Castle (8043) and the Dragon Knight’s Fortress (7946), Kingdoms offered a fresh yet familiar medieval adventure for fans, combining traditional castle battles with new storytelling and characters.
Lion Kingdom (2010)
The Lion Kingdom is a proud and noble faction introduced in the LEGO Kingdoms Theme (2010–2012), characterised by a color scheme of red, white, and silver/grey, and shield heraldry displaying a golden roaring lion’s head. Their troops include Lion Knights, archers and support soldiers, all operating from strongholds built for defense and order rather than surprise raids. Their flagship set, King’s Castle (7946), packed walls, towers, catapults and battlements throughout, underscoring their role as the kingdom’s main bulwark. Fans embraced the Lion Kingdom for its clean, heroic aesthetic and detailed army builds, making it a worthy successor to the classic Lion Knights.
Dragon Kingdom (2010)
In contrast, the Dragon Kingdom stands as the rival to the Lion Kingdom in the LEGO Kingdoms theme, wearing red and black armour with a fire‑breathing dragon emblem on shields and banners. Their forces specialise in aggressive tactics, siege war‑gear, and darkly themed architecture. A prime set showcasing their might is the Green Dragon Knights Battle Pack (852922) which includes five fully‑equipped Dragon Knights ready for conflict.
The Kingdoms sets emphasized traditional medieval battles, castles, and knights, bridging the gap between classic LEGO Castle factions and the more fantastical creations of the 2000s. Key sets include Kingdoms Joust (7940) and Dragon Mountain (7944).
In 2013, LEGO released one of the last fully fleshed-out Castle themes, introducing the King’s Knights and the Dragon Soldiers as central opposing forces. The King’s Knights defended their castle and kingdom with valor, while the Dragon Soldiers, clad in red and black with fire-breathing dragon sigils, provided a formidable adversary. This theme captured the classic medieval clash of heroes and villains, continuing the LEGO Castle legacy with a complete, story-driven army for both sides.
The King’s Knights (2013)
The King’s Knights are the loyal defenders of the castle, tasked with protecting the king and his kingdom from threats like the invading Dragon Soldiers. While most remain unnamed, notable figures include Royce the White Knight, who trains new soldiers, and Lionel the Lion Soldier, both highlighted in LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed. These knights also appear in The LEGO Movie, where characters like Sir Stackabrick and Gallant Guard serve as Master Builders in Cloud Cuckoo Land and help defend Middle Zealand, showing that the King’s Knights continue to inspire medieval heroism in LEGO stories.
Dragon Soldiers (2013)
The Dragon Soldiers are the menacing troops of the Dragon Wizard, serving as the primary antagonists to the King’s Knights. This LEGO Castle Faction features a red and black color scheme with a fire breathing dragon as its sigil.
Classic LEGO Castle Factions in the Collectible Minifigures Series
Several classic LEGO Castle factions have been revived in the LEGO Collectible Minifigures (CMF) series, bringing fan-favorite knights and villains to life:
Forestman – CMF Series 1 (2010), classic green/leather look of a forest‑dwelling faction, longbow and woodland rustic style.
Viking – CMF Series 4 (2011), A fierce Norse warrior echoing the 2005–2006 LEGO Vikings line, complete with horned helmet, beard, and round shield.
Evil Dwarf – CMF Series 5 (2011), A dark-armored warrior reminiscent of the Fantasy Era Dwarves, with spiked pauldrons, a massive axe, and a grim frown.
Viking Woman – CMF Series 7 (2012), A fierce shieldmaiden complementing the earlier Viking figure, featuring braided blonde hair, a fur-trimmed outfit, and round shield.
Evil Knight – CMF Series 7 (2012), A sinister black-and-red knight representing the dark forces of the medieval world, with a jagged broadsword and horned helm — a possible spiritual successor to the Fright Knights.
Heroic Knight – CMF Series 9 (2013), A noble champion with silver armor and a lion crest, echoing the Royal Knights and Crusaders of LEGO Castle’s golden age.
Frightening Knight – CMF Series 16 (2016), dark gray armor with a dark green tabard, featuring a new Bear Sigil on the shield.
Rogue – CMF Series 17 (2016), stealthy dark attire and hood, an indirect homage to the Wolfpack faction.
Battle Dwarf – CMF Series 18 (2017), armored dwarf warrior with battle axe and classic medieval dwarf styling.
Fright Knight – CMF Series 19 (2019), gray, black, and red armor with the iconic bat emblem.
Tournament Knight – CMF Series 20 (2020), black and dark yellow armor with raven‑style heraldry, linked to the Raven Knights.
Viking – CMF Series 20 (2020), Norse-inspired warrior with horned helmet and fur-trimmed armor, evoking the Viking subtheme.
Knight of the Yellow Castle – CMF Series 23 (2022), A celebratory homage to the 375 Yellow Castle (1978), featuring bright yellow armor, plume-topped helm, and retro shield print.
Black Falcon Falconer – CMF Series 24 (2022), black-and-blue heraldry, classic falcon insignia, reimagining the Black Falcons.
Orc Warrior – CMF Series 24 (2022), green-skinned villain with dark armor, spiked helmet, and fantasy battle-ready gear.
Vampire Knight – CMF Series 25 (2024), dark gray and black armor with a bat emblem, gothic vampire-inspired design.
Wolfpack Beastmaster – CMF Series 27 (2025), dark rugged attire, silver wolf‑head emblem, includes wolf companion.
These CMFs keep classic LEGO Castle factions — both heroic and villainous — alive in minifigure form, perfect for collectors, custom builds, and modern medieval storytelling.
Newest LEGO Castle Factions: Kraken Warriors, Griffin Knights, Horse Knights & Serpent Knights (2025)
In 2025, LEGO re‑expanded the Castle universe by adding four new factions. These modern additions bring fresh hours of play and building to LEGO Castle fans.
Kraken Warriors
The Kraken Warriors are a seafaring faction, introduced earlier in 2025 (part of the wave of new LEGO Castle factions). Their style features dark teal and copper/green accents, evoking a maritime raider vibe. They first appeared in sets tied to the Ideas Theme and fan‑submitted collections.
Griffin Knights
Also launched in 2025, the Griffin Knights bring a noble, aerial motif to the LEGO Castle world. They feature dark red and silver armour and heraldry tied to griffin imagery. They were revealed in the same wave as the Kraken Warriors.
Horse Knights
The Horse Knights made their official debut in LEGO Creator Medieval Horse Knight Castle (31168), released August 2025. They wear white and blue (with tan accents) and represent a classic cavalry‑knight aesthetic revived for the modern era.
Serpent Knights
Opposing the Horse Knights in set 31168, the Serpent Knights also debuted in 2025. They appear with black and yellow (and purple accent) styling, introducing a sinister cobra‑/serpent‑theme villain faction to challenge the Horse Knights.
Five Decades of LEGO Castle: A Legacy of Knights and Kingdoms
LEGO Castle factions have evolved over nearly five decades, giving fans and collectors a rich tapestry of heroes, villains, and legendary battles. From classic Lion Knights to sinister Raven Knights, these factions continue to inspire new builds, stories, and even third-party accessories like tabards, armor, and banners. Whether you’re a long-time collector or new to medieval LEGO, the Castle universe remains a cornerstone of imaginative play.
