Knight of Hyrule

The, also known as , are a recurring group of characters in. They are the protectors of the Royal Family of Hyrule. They played a large role in, in which they fought valiantly against Ganon in the backstory; and in , 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. The knights serve the purpose to protect the Royal Family of Hyrule, the Goddess Hylia's mortal descendants for generations. An incarnation of the legendary hero, Link, usually is born from the knightly bloodline 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.

With the history of Hyrule splitting and taking three different paths after the events of, the historical appearances of the Knights of Hyrule also splits, giving them three different destinies over the course of the three histories.



In, before the story of the Knights of Hyrule was told in , 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.

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. 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. In the Hyrule Historia, the Kights of Hyrule are said to be a clan of knights.

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 premptively stop Ganon. 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. During the battle the Knights of Hyrule fought valiantly against Ganon's armies, 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. Though they were successful in their task, the family of the Knights of Hyrule were almost completely wiped out by Ganon's forces.

After the events of the Imprisoning War a prophesy was made of a Great Cataclysm. 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. 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.



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, or in the Japanese version, the "darkness beyond the realm of the dead," or "world of darkness." 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. 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. In the Hyrule Historia it is later suggested that The Hero of Time is of the family of the Knights of Hyrule.



The Hylian Knights make an appearance in the beginning of, disguised as a Troupe of Performers. In the Linked Game, continuing from the events of Oracle of Ages, the troupe of performers reveal to Link that they're actually Hylian Knights. Under orders from Princess Zelda, their mission is to attempt to sneak Din safely out of Holodrum into Hyrule. However, they are quite easily taken out by the General Onox.

The Royal knights are charged with the task of guarding the four Royal Jewels in. 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. 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. This refers to the evil Trident that Ganon stole from the Pyramid.

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. 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.

These crests are the "symbol of a courageous knight". 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.

There are also statues of several Knights in Hyrule Castle in the room where Link meets Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule.

The Hero of Winds is said to not be related to the Hero of Time.



Hylian Knights in Hyrule Castle have empty suits of armor stationed throughout.

In, 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. The Hero of Twilight descended from the Hero of Time who is implied to descended from the knights.



In 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.

The Knights of Hyrule were equipped with the BotW: equipment archetype, a set of weaponry known for its reliability and durability and which would remain in use in the wake of the the BotW:.

A test in Hyrule Castle was created to judge whether or not soldiers should become a Knight by testing their strength against a BotW:. Upon completion, the victor would be given a BotW: and be recognized as a royal knight. The name of the test, "Test of the Royal Guard," suggests a connection between the BotW: and the Knights of Hyrule.

There is also Knight equipment for Link's horse. The BotW: and BotW: are obtained from a minigame.

In, 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.

(Ishinomori)
Like in the game, Link is a descendant of the Knights of Hyrule in the. 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. After Agahnim kills Link's uncle, he orders that all those in the Knight's Line must be eliminated at once, including Link. 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. 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.

(Himekawa)
The Knights of Hyrule are mentioned by Sahasrahla briefly in his telling of the events of the Imprisoning War in the. He describes them as "fighting valiantly against the evil..." and that many lost their lives in their heroic effort to stop evil.

(Himekawa)
In the, 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.

(Himekawa)
In the, 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 would be the latest descendant of the Knights as well.