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 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 that the 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 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 in Ocarina of Time.
With the history of Hyrule splitting and taking three different paths following the defeat of Ganon by the Hero of Time, the historical appearances of the Knights of Hyrule also splits, giving them three different destinies over the course of its three histories.
==Appearances==
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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.
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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."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) 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."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 (Ninteno of America Translation) In the Hyrule Historia, the Knights of Hyrule are said to be simply 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 Seven Wise Men (Sages) in an attempt to preemptively stop Ganon."The King of Hyrule called upon the Seven Sages of Hyrule, as well as the Knights to seal the source of this evil." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 5 (Translation of the Japanese by Zethar-II of Zelda Legends)"The lord of Hyrule sent for the Seven Wise Men and the Knights Of Hyrule, and ordered them to seal the entrance to the Golden Land." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 5 (Nintendo of America Translation) 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."The Sages first had to search for the existence of the Master Sword and a hero to use it. However, the situation was urgent, and Ganon's malice was enclosing on the royal palace." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 5 (Translation of the Japanese by Zethar-II of Zelda Legends)"As the Seven Wise Men searched for a valiant person to take up the Master Sword, Ganon's evil army swarmed from the tainted Golden Land into Hyrule and attacked the castle." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 5 (Nintendo of America Translation) During the battle, the Knights of Hyrule fought valiantly against Ganon's armies,"Using the most of their powers, the Sages and Knights threw open a heroic battle with the evil one." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (Translation of the Japanese by Zethar-II of Zelda Legends)"The wise men and the Knights Of Hyrule combined forces to wage war on this evil horde." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (Nintendo of America Translation) and even sacrificed themselves by using their own bodies as a shield in order to protect the Seven Wise Men long enough for them to cast their seal over the Sacred Realm."The Knights had valiantly used their bodies as shields during the fierce attack,..." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (Translation of the Japanese by Zethar-II of Zelda Legends)"The Knights took the full brunt of the fierce attack,..." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (Nintendo of America Translation) Though they were successful in their task, the family of the Knights of Hyrule were almost completely wiped out by Ganon's forces."...and although they unfortunately perished when their strength had exhausted, this had given the Sages time to complete their Seal." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (Translation of the Japanese by Zethar-II of Zelda Legends)"...and although they fought courageously many a brave soul was lost that day, However, their lives were not lost in vain, for they bought precious time for the Seven Wise Men to magically seal ganon in the Golden land." -A Link to the Past Instruction Manual pg. 6 (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 (Ninteno 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 (Ninteno of America Translation) 
After the events of the Imprisoning War a prophesy was made of a Great Cataclysm."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 (Nintento of America Translation) According to the prophesy, when a great catastrophe 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."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." -Enscription 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 (Ninteno of America Translation) During the events of A Link to the Past, Link fulfills this prophesy by collecting the Pendants of Virtue, drawing the Master Sword from its pedestal, and defeating Agahnim and soon after, Ganon himself."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 (Ninteno of America Translation) 
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In Ocarina of Time, Link, the Hero of Time, wields the legendary Master Sword, and, along with the help of Princess Zelda and six other Sages - the vast majority are his own childhood friends, seals Ganon in the void of the Evil Realm,"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 or in the Japanese version, the "darkness beyond the realm of the dead," or "world of darkness", upon the villain's ultimate defeat."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) 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, leading to the Downfall Timeline."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 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 themselves 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, and this particular shield would become a trademark item for Link. In Hyrule Historia, it is later suggested that the legendary Hero of Time is of the family of the Knights of Hyrule himself.
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".
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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. 
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In 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."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) 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."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) 
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,"Hear now the doom of the knights. We were bested by a foe with a mighty weapon." -The Red Knight (Nintendo of America Translation) transforming them into monstrous Big Dark Stalfos'"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) and cursed the Sacred Jewels into becoming portals to the Dark World."The jewel was also cursed, and it became a portal to the Dark World." -The Blue Knight (Nintendo of America Translation) 
In order to save Hyrule, Link is tasked with collecting the Four Sacred Jewels."Free them from their dark curses and retrieve the jewels!" -The Blue Knight (Nintendo of America Translation) 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."Thanks to you, we have been freed from the dark spells that bound us." -The Purple Knight (Nintendo of America Translation) Once free of Ganon's influence, each Knight entrusts the Sacred Jewel under their protection to Link before passing away."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) 
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. Even so, Link's bravery is described as being similar to that of the Knights."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) 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. 
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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."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) Echoing the events prior to A Link to the Past, Ganon eventually broke from his seal and attempted again to conquer Hyrule."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 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 Goddesses to intervene."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) As a result, the kingdom was flooded and became the Great Sea."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) 
Due to the setting of this game, the Knights of Hyrule make no appearance whatsoever in The Wind Waker, although large statues of them are found in the room where the Master Sword lies in Hyrule Castle. 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."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)
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 powerful Spin Attack that is known to have been used by the Knights. 
Link, the Hero of Winds, is said to be unrelated to the Hero of Time in-game, nor is there any indication that he is of the clan of the Knights of Hyrule."The one I have brought with me has no connection to the legendary one." -The King of Red Lions (Nintendo of America Translation Even so, when Link is able to strike Orca 100 times during sword training, he will claim that Link is a knight."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) Also the Hero's Shield is said to have been used by the Hero of Time himself, was a family heirloom. 
 
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Twilight Princess takes place over a century after the events of Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask in a timeline where the Hero of Time was sent back in time by Princess Zelda and stopped Ganondorf from ever accessing the Sacred Realm,"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 and ages prior to the events in Four Swords Adventures."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
Like in Ocarina of Time, the Knights of Hyrule do not make a direct appearance in , 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."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)
During the events of Twilight Princess, Link, the Hero of Twilight, is trained in swordfighting by a spirit of one of his ancestors, known as the Hero's Shade, in order to became a better fighter and defeat Ganondorf."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) Though not directly stated in-game, Hyrule Historia states that the Hero's Shade is actually the restless spirit of the Hero of Time, the Link from the N64 titles,"The spirit of Link’s ancestor, the Hero of Time, teaches him his secrets." -Hyrule Historia pg. 118 who only finds peace in the afterlife when he is finished teaching the Hero of Twilight his seven powerful sword techniques."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) Since the Hero of Time is suggested to have been a member of the Knights of Hyrule clan according to Hyrule Historia, it also follows that his descendant, the Hero of Twilight, may too be a member of this clan.
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In , Sir 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 equipment archetype, a set of weaponry known for its reliability and durability and which would remain in use in the wake of the the .
A test in Hyrule Castle was created to judge whether or not soldiers should become a Knight by testing their strength against a . Upon completion, the victor would be given a and be recognized as a royal knight. The name of the test, "Test of the Royal Guard," suggests a connection between the and the Knights of Hyrule.
There is also Knight equipment for Link's horse. The and are obtained from a minigame.
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In , Princess Zelda tells King Rauru and Queen Sonia about Link and his royal knighthood.
When assisting Zora's Domain, Yona addresses Link by his title, Sir Link.
==Non-canon Appearances==
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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 Super NES 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."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 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.
== Trivia ==
* Breath of the Wild is the first game of The Legend of Zelda series where Link is explicitly a member of the Knights of Hyrule, despite most earlier games suggest the young hero to be such or a descendant.
==Gallery==
BotW Knight's Bridle Icon.png|A Knight's horse bridle
BotW Knight's Saddle Icon.png|A Knight's horse saddle
AoC-Link-Soldiers-Armor-4.png|Sir Link as a knight in Age of Calamity
HWAoC_Nintendo_DREAM_Artwork.png|Sir Link as a knight with Princess Zelda in Age of Calamity
HW Hylian Captain Adventure Mode Icon.png|Knight Captain Adventure Mode icon from Hyrule Warriors
==Nomenclature==
==See Also==
* Royal Guard
* Soldier