There were minifigures prior to 1978, but they were armless, faceless and had solid legs. In 1978 the minifigures learned to walk. Their faceless expression replaced with an eternal smile. With their new arms and hands they could grasp a shovel, pump gas and drive that shiny new car. And with the road plate there was a place for them to go. The town could grow, the road could continue. A now familiar pattern was set, a new fire station here, the Shell station across the street, the police station and hospital were down the street. A construction crew repaired the street and a wrecker rescued a broken down car.
Elsewhere in the 1978 U.K. catalog, there was one additional introduction that also proved to be most significant. This was a yellow castle, set 375, identified as the Fort with knights . Not designated as a LEGOLAND set, the set was perhaps most closely related to the previously released Texas Rangers set, number 372. The Texas Rangers set was the last of number of cowboy sets, that featured armless and faceless minifigures perched upon mighty horsed constructed of individual LEGO bricks. Four of these LEGO brick horses were included in the Fort with Knights , three black and one white. But instead of armless cowboys they carried new minifigure knights, with a lance in one arm and a shield in the other.
The Fort with Knights , now known more commonly as the Yellow Castle , was a massive structure built on five green base plates. The four corner sections (8 x 16 studs) were hinged so they could swing out from a central unit (16 x 32 studs) that extended from the front gate to the rear gate. The castle was home to the Knights of the Golden Crown. Three visiting knights with their squires were present for a joust. The Knight of the Yellow Clubs, the Knight of the Green Stripes and the Knight of the White Star. With fourteen men, three towers, hinged walls and a working drawbridge the castle offered lots of action.
The following year, 1979, LEGOLAND expanded beyond the town. LEGOLAND Space was introduced with a fleet of space ships and rocket bases. And two new sets were added to the Fort with Knights to establish LEGOLAND Castle.
Set 383, the Knight's Tournament, introduced the first king and queen. The King and Queen of the Tricolor Crest sat on a pair of yellow thrones in a red and white striped pavilion, guarded by two knights. They watched a joust between the Knight of the Black and Red Squares versus the Knight of the Yellow and Red squares. The second introduction, set 677, the Knight's Procession , was a small set featuring six Knights of the Red and Gray Stripes. Four knights carried swords, while two with axes pulled a small supply cart.
In 1980 the three worlds of LEGOLAND were united by Bill and Mary. As told through the pages of the number 6000 idea book, Bill and Mary had a series of adventures. They started in LEGOLAND Town, continued in LEGOLAND Space as the piloted a stolen LL 924 spaceship to planet where knights still lived in the age of LEGOLAND Castle.
The USA had to wait three years for LEGOLAND Castle. In 1981 the three sets of LEGOLAND Castle finally made it to America, but with new numbers. The previous year in 1980, a new LEGO system of numbering had been introduced with sets numbered beyond 1000. In the USA the Castle sets were given numbers in the 6000 range, the 375 Fort with Knights became the 6075 Yellow Castle . The 383 Knights Tournament became set 6083 and the 677 Knights Procession took the new number 6077. Evidently these new numbers for LEGO USA were never really recognized in by LEGO at home, because about a decade later the numbers 6075 and 6077 were duplicated on new sets issued world wide.
The Real Beginning - 1984 LEGOLAND Town began in 1978 with LEGOLAND Space a year behind. In subsequent years the two series evolved with new sets introduced and old ones replaced, but primitive introductory LEGOLAND Castle sets remained unchanged. Then in 1984 LEGO invented the horse, making possible the real beginning of LEGOLAND Castle.
Now a true system the new LEGOLAND Castle featured two castles, home to two warring clans. The larger King's Castle, set 6080, was the home of the Lion Knights defended by four knights, four archers, and two spearmen. The castle was built on three green baseplates. The two rear plates (16 x 22 studs) were hinged to a front plate (16 x 32 studs). The castle included a prison cell, two towers, a lift gate and a drawbridge. Yellow and red flags flew above the towers and were carried by the knights. The Lion Knights wore three different crests, a yellow lion on a blue field, a blue lion on a yellow field and a crossed axes crest.
The second smaller castle, the Knight's Castle , set 6073, was the home of the Black Falcon Knights. This smaller castle was built on a series of conventional LEGO plates, but in the elusive color of green. With a total foot print of 16 x 24 studs the castle was hinged at each side of the front. There were two towers, a prison cell and a draw bridge. The Knight's Castle was manned by two knights, two archers and two spearmen each defending the falcon crest. White and green flags flew on each tower and were carried by the knights. (Later Falcon Knight sets featured blue and white flags.) There was only one crest, the split falcon.
Both castles featured hinged walls with a modular construction technique that allowed one to join different sets by a Technic peg that joined the walls of different castles or accessory sets. This allowed the castles to be expanded into unique super models.
Additional sets were added to each of these two warring clans, most belonging to the Lion Knights.
Most significant was the 6061 Siege Tower featuring a mobile tower and two extra castle wall sections that could be coupled to the main castle using the module system. Four Lion Knights were included, one Knight on horseback, an archer, a footed swordsman and an axeman.
The 6022 Horse Cart was a small cart driven by a Lion swordsman and guarded by a Lion archer.
The 6040 Blacksmith's Shop, was part of the modular system with one wall section with red blacksmith's furnace. A blacksmith in peasant's garb was guarded by a Lion axeman.
The Falcon Knights had only one added set, but it was the powerful 6030 Catapult . This was large catapult that could fling round 1x1 yellow LEGO blocks. The catapult was manned by two Falcon Knights.
There was one combined set, in the 6021 Jousting Knights set one Lion Knight on a white horse faced off against a Falcon Knight on a black horse.
An unaffiliated peasant drove the 6010 Supply Wagon, a small set with no knights included.
Small Additions - 1985. After the major 1984 introductions it not surprising that only two sets were added in 1985. The largest set was the 6055 Prisoner Convoy , a prison wagon pulled by four horses. A Lion Knight road a fifth horse, a Lion spearman drove the wagon, and a Lion archer was on guard. The center of all this attention was a lone peasant prisoner.
The single Falcon Knight set was the 6011 Black Knight's Treasure featuring a single Falcon Knight.
A Classic Inn and a New Castle - 1986. Five sets were introduced in 1986 including several truly classic sets. The Falcon Knights had a new castle to defend with the introduction of the 6074 Black Falcon's Fortress . This small castle sat on series of 2 x n conventional LEGO green plates with a total footprint of 17 x 24 studs. The castle could open on hinges and had four points for module expansion. The castle had one unique tower with yellow Tudor style decoration. A Black Falcon flag flew above the peak.
Perhaps the most unique set of the year was the 6067 Guarded Inn. The inn was a small red Tudor style building built into the castle walls. A serving maiden ran the inn which was guarded by Lion archer and a Lion spearman. An unknown mystery knight was visiting the inn.
A second female figure was found in the 6023 Maiden's Cart, a small but delightful set. One lone Lion spearman guarded the beautiful maiden and drove her cart.
The 6041 Armor Shop was an interesting addition and a companion to the earlier 6040 Blacksmith's Shop. Although the Armor Shop flew the red flag of the Lion Knights and Lion Knight was found visiting, a Falcon Knight shield could be found amongst the wares. Perhaps it had been captured in an earlier battle.
The fifth and smallest set for the year was the 6012 Siege Cart, a small cart with a mounted spear manned by a Lion spearman and guarded by a Lion archer.
The Forestmen Debut - 1987. The highlight of 1987 was the introduction of a third group to the LEGOLAND Castle system, the Forestmen. The 6066 Camouflaged Outpost Robin Hood himself dressed all in green. Four more Forest archers and a Forest spearman helped defend a secret cave. The cave was built of gray bricks and hinged to a massive black tree the towered above. The logo of the Forestmen was a deer.
The Lion Knights acquired a major new weapon, the 6062 Battering Ram . This was a large wheeled attack vehicle flew the familiar red and yellow flags of the Lion Knights, three of whom, an archer, a spearman and a axeman manned the Battering Ram. A similar force of three Falcon Knights defended a new section of castle wall with a single tower and a door that was the target of the Battering Ram.
The Lion Knights put to sea in 1987 with the acquisition of two small boats. The 6049 Viking Voyager featured three oarsmen with an axeman and a spearman at guard.
The 6017 King's Oarsmen, was a small two man craft with a sail. A Lion spearman and a Lion axeman manned the boat.
The final set for 1987 was the 6035 Castle Guard, a small guard station manned by a Falcon Knight axeman and a mounted Falcon Knight.
The Dragon Knights Arrive - 1988. The highlight of 1988 was the introduction of the 6085 Black Monarch's Castle, home of the Dragon Knight clan. This large castle was built on four hinged 16 x 16 stud green base plates. It had a prison cell, two towers at the back and a larger and higher tower at the front above the lift gate and the draw bridge. Twelve men guarded the castle, four mounted Dragon Knights, four Dragon archers and four Dragon spearmen.
A Lion spearman drove the 6016 Knight's Arsenal, a small cart loaded with swords and hatchets.
The Lion Knights also acquire the unique 6039 Twin-Arm Launcher, a double catapult for heaving 1x1 round LEGO bricks. The Twin-Arm Launcher was manned by a Lion swordsman and a Lion Knight on horseback.
Finally Robin Hood had a new home, the 6054 Forestmen's Hideout. The hideout was at the top of a large black tree build on a pair of hinged green plates. The set featured Robin, armed with a spear and another Forestmen archer who had a nifty target for practice.
A Tournament and River Fortress - 1989. The Lion Knights and the Dragon Knights came to play in 1989. In the 6060 Knight's Challenge one knight from each side came to joust in front of a beautiful princess sitting on a large multicolored throne. Two attendants, one from each side guarded the princess. An axeman assisted each knight. A young maiden served refreshments to all.
Robin Hood and his Forestmen acquired a third hideout in 1989, the 6077 Forestmen's River Fortress. This massive stone structure was build in the middle of a blue baseplate river between two large tree trunks. Robin with a sword was accompanied by four of his merry men, one with a spear, one with a lance and two archers. An attacking Lion Knight swordsman was included.
The Lion King gets a new Home - 1990. The highlight of 1990 was the 6081 King's Mountain Fortress, a second castle for the Lion Knights. The new mountain castle was built on a raised 32 x 32 base plate with one large tower. It featured a sunken treasure room, a prison cell, a pair of large oak doors and a drawbridge. But the real news was that the castle was haunted. A fluorescent ghost could be found hiding within. A beautiful princes lived in the King's Mountain Fortress which was guarded by two mounted Lion knights, a spearman, an axeman and two crossbow men.
Ghosts could be found elsewhere, the 6034 Black Monarch's Ghost set featured ghost living in a small building behind oak doors. A mounted Lion Knight was on guard.
The Lion Knights acquired a prison van, the 6042 Dungeon Hunters set. One Lion Knight drove the van guarded by a second mounted Lion Knight. The prisoner was a Forestmen archer.
The Forestmen built yet another structure, the 6071 Forestman's Crossing. In this structure two large trees were found growing on the opposite sides of a small river. A stone structure was added to one tree and rickety bridge spanned the river. Four Forestmen and Maid Marion herself were included.
Meanwhile the Falcon Knights and the Dragon Knights were at war. The Falcon Knights acquired a massive new catapult and were found attacking the Dragon Knights in the 6042 Knights Stronghold, set. In this set a new hinged section of castle wall matching Black Monarch's Castle was included with a new double oak door. The attacking Falcon Knight's catapult had a large counter weight and could throw gray 1 x 1 round LEGO bricks.
The Wolfpack Arrives - 1992. The year 1991 was skipped year for LEGO Castle, but 1992 brought several new sets and fifth clan, the Wolfpack. The 6075 Wolfpack Tower, was a stone structure built on blue river plate. There were two small towers over a hidden room hiding a ghost. A small bridge and walkway led in to the structure. There were three Wolfpack defenders, one with a sword, one with an ax and one with a cross bow.
A second Wolfpack set, the 6038 Wolfpack Renegade wagon carried a barrel and a treasure chest of gold. Two Woldpack swordsman guarded the wagon.
The Dragon Knights received their own mountain fortress, the 6086 Black Knight's Castle. This castle was built on a raised base plate in a manner similar to the King's Mountain Fortress. This castle had lots of detail, a sunken dungeon, two small towers, a large tower above the lift gate and drawbridge and a corner section decorated in yellow Tudor style. Four mounted Dragon knights guarded the castle, along with four archers, a cross bowman, and a spearman. A captured Wolfpack man could be found in the dungeon and friendly ghost haunted the place.
The Dragon Knights acquired a medium sized sale boat, the 6057 Sea Serpent. The boat carried one oarsman, on swordsman and one cross bowman. Two Black Falcon knights attacked from shore, one a swordsman and one and archer.
The final set for 1992 was a single Dragon Knight, the 6009 Black Knight set. The set contained one heavily armed Dragon Knight on a black horse, two swords, one lance, one cross bow and a shield.
The Year of the Dragon Masters - 1993. The year 1993 was dedicated to the Dragon Masters. This new branch of the Dragon clan. carried shields similar to those of the Dragon Knights, but with their dragon control technology they definitely had different talents. The home of the Dragon Masters was the 6082 Fire Breathing Fortress. This structure was built on the raised castle base and had a shape reminiscent of a large dragon. A swiveling head with a flame thrower was above the main door. A secret trap door dropped an unsuspecting Wolfpack man into a jail cell. The top of the structure had a red peak flying the Dragon Master flag. The structure was defended by four knights, one a mounted knight with a flowing robe, one an archer, one a cross bowman, and one a swordsman. The most important person however was the Wizard Majisto in blue robes and with flowing beard who had a magic tablet, a magic wand and a crystal ball. A green dragon flew above ready to be caged.
The 6076 Dark Dragon's Den was a smaller structure with a bared cage to hold the dragon. The structure was built of stone along side a large brown tree. The Dragon Masters flag flew from a small red tower. Two mounted knights and a cross bowman guarded the structure. The wizard cast his spells from the tower.
Majisto also had his on private workshop, the 6048 Majisto's Magic Workshop. This was small structure with a peaked red roof built on two hinged plates that folded to complete the enclosed structure. Majisto was guarded by one Dragon Master knight armed with an ax.
The final set in the 1993 line was the 6056 Dragon Wagon. This was wagon for caging dragons. The wagon was pulled by two horses and guarded by two Dragon Master Knights. A dragon was found in the wagon and the Dragon Master flag flew from top of the wagon.
Two More Dragon Masters - 1994. The Dragon Masters line was expanded by two more sets in 1994. The 6043, Dragon Defender, was a two armed catapult that threw gray 1 x 1 LEGO bricks. The catapult was disguised as a dragon with a flame throwing mouth. It was manned by two Dragon Master knights, one an axeman and one a swordsman.
The second set was a small one, the 6020 Magic Shop. The Magic Shop was a small hallowed out tree containing Majisto's magic apparatus. Majisto was the only figure, but he accompanied by a gray parrot.
The Royal King joins the Lion Knights - 1995.
The Forestmen Return in the Dark Forest- 1996.
Last Update - April 7, 1996