The history of LEGO® Castle and our new Medieval Blacksmith set | Official LEGO Shop

A stride dorsum in time: The history of LEGO® Castle and our new LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set

If y'all're a fan of LEGO Castle, then you lot're probably just as excited as united states of america about the new and insanely cool LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set.

This fix was originally designed by superfan Clemens Fiedler, whose passion for medieval compages shone through in his intricate design, gaining enough votes to be adapted into a real-life set.

Our awesome LEGO designers took on the challenge and saw an opportunity to add a few special nods to past Castle sets with the hope of reconnecting yous to your childhood. The upshot is a mannerly and rather nostalgic blacksmith's workshop and habitation set over three wonderfully thought-out floors.

Marking 10 whole years since the last blacksmith set came out, we're celebrating its release by looking back through LEGO Castle's history to see how our humble blacksmith and his brick-built world has evolved over time. It'southward time to taketh interest...

When we recollect of the Middle Ages, nosotros automatically recollect of battles between good and evil, ravaging kings and relentless sword fights. The first medieval Blacksmith Shop (1984) may accept been small, simply it marks the first time in LEGO Castle history that designers shifted their focus from castles and brave knights to tell the stories of the civilians at the center of medieval society.

Other sets in the eighties followed suit, like 'The Guarded Inn' where locals could end for a drink, as well equally a well-stocked armor shop.

Where the blacksmith'south story all began, 1984

The civilianization of the franchise was taken to the next level in 2009 when the 'Medieval Market Village' came out, one of the biggest Castle sets e'er made – and the designers really went to town (get it?).

The LEGO® Medieval Market Village, 2009. Can yous spot the blacksmith?

Jonathon Petrongari, a Castle fan and member of the RomaBrick fan group says, "I retrieve that the civilians are a very of import role of the Castle theme. The Medieval Market Village had...civilian minifigures, soldiers, a tree, cows...a blacksmith. It was probably one of the all-time LEGO sets released."

We raided the photo archives to check out the blacksmith'southward evolution throughout the years.

A second Blacksmith Shop was released in 2002 and then a third in 2011 (both very unlike and crawly in their own way).

The 'Blacksmith Attack' set from 2011

Sharing many visual similarities with the latest set up, the 2002 Blacksmith Store was also originally designed by a fan outside of the business. In fact, this was one of the outset official fan-created sets, showing that nosotros've been crowdsourcing and collaborating with fans for many years, fifty-fifty before LEGO Ideas came well-nigh.

The enchanting Blacksmith Shop of 2002 marks the start time we incorporated his house higher up the workshop, but like the new set. Slide across to compare them...

Fun fact: The neon orange burn elements in the 2002 model were initially created for a burn down-animate dragon fix in the nineties. These little fires may not feature in the new set, only instead in that location'south a super cracking interactive light brick in the blacksmith'south coal forge which glows orange when you pump the bellows.

The new blacksmith feeling the heat at his forge, 2021

Paying homage to the much-loved LEGO Castle franchise, the new Medieval Blacksmith ready likewise brings back erstwhile Castle elements – most notably, the return of two Black Falcon Knight minifigures. These tough piddling guys made their debut in 1984 and they seriously transformed role-play forever.

Nevertheless proudly belongings their swords and shields, these knights haven't strayed too far from their roots other than a slight refresh to their coats of arms and an upgrade to their armory to better reflect the wardrobe of medieval times.

Ii Black Falcon Knights making their way through town in our newest Medieval Blacksmith set. Credit: Four Bricks Tall

Jeff Johnson, a passionate Castle fan and RochLUG member, recalls his first retention of them, "Me and a friend of mine...we combined all of our LEGO bricks into one massive drove, and we did a ginormous battle in his living room which took the whole summer to put together. We built fortresses and catapults...and he had a agglomeration of Black Falcons. Now sets are coming out [with Black Falcons] and so I tin can get them myself, and so that'southward pretty fun."

We realize this wouldn't be an commodity on LEGO Castle history if nosotros didn't acknowledge the OG of all things medieval – the iconic yellowish Castle of 1978. This was the start toy to come out of the LEGO Castle franchise and yous tin can even so view information technology today on the Tree of Creativity exhibit at LEGO House in Billund, Denmark.

The very first Castle prepare. Fun fact: The horses in the original yellowish Castle fix were entirely brick-built. Today, they are molded figures.

The original castle was yellow merely because our bricks weren't made in many colors back then. The second-generation owner at the time, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen wasn't keen on creating grey bricks, conscious that children might make military tanks or violent creations. But every bit we know, that soon changed.

Krista Simpson from the MILUG fan group recalls, "The very showtime prepare I call up...building with my dad...was the yellow castle. It was my brother's set. I think I was near four or v years former, playing in the family room on the floor, putting those yellow pieces together."

She continues, "Developed fans...love things that connect them to their past. For me [in the new Medieval Blacksmith fix], it's the minifigures that have that connection. One of them [a knight] is a female effigy and I thought, that's pretty darn absurd. I definitely appreciate that...especially having been that immature girl...playing with her brothers sets. I retrieve information technology's incredibly important that children come across themselves in the toys they're playing with. Hopefully if at that place's that little girl like I was…building this set with her dad, that will exist like a 'wow dad look, it's me' moment."

Now you know, there'due south more than meets the eye with the new LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set, and it's come a long way since the very first model of 1984. And while history is important, the existent beauty behind the bricks is in the moment. What will yous create next?

With that, we bid you farewell...