![]() ![]() There are few exceptions to this sorry rule, though, from around the turn of the decade, when LEGO re-found its footing. I guess the token Hobbiton sets could be considered vaguely civilian, but even they are of the protagonist’s home, instead of town life. Even the Tolkien licenses, with an older target market and a rich civilian world portrayed in both the books and the movies, concentrate on action sequences instead. (Let’s not even discuss the ridiculous Knight’s Kingdom.) During the past year and a half of this blog I have built, either by myself or with my son, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and 2013 LEGO Castle, none of which include civilian elements. LEGO’s post-1980s focus on the boys market means latest castle LEGO themes have concentrated on battles as well. ![]() Now, unfortunately, the situation has not exactly been remedied since. I guess the dark ages were a blessing after all. Browse through the sets released in the 1990s and there isn’t a single civilian entry for castle LEGO – there are ninjas, skeletons, wizards and probably a token space alien though. Then the 1990s happened, and as you may recall, I blame the 1990s for pretty much everything. Now, obviously, most of the sets were about knights, armies and castles, but civilian life was also represented. Later during the 1980s there were also the 6041 Armor Shop, 6067 Guarded Inn, 1974 Smuggler’s Hayride – and 6103 Castle Mini Figures included a farmer, not just soldiers and forest men. I remember the Supply Wagon actually being my very first “grey” LEGO Castle set.Ībove: Blacksmith with minifigure farmer’s hat, from 6040 Blacksmith Shop (1984). The hat was first used in the 6010 Supply Wagon and 6040 Blacksmith Shop, back in 1984. For example, the theme introduced the farmer’s hat to LEGO, a fine piece of medieval civilian headgear for minifigures that is still one of the defining characteristics of that theme. Hopefully if there’s that little girl like I was…building this set with her dad, that will be like a ‘wow dad look, it’s me’ moment.While the focus of my Quest for Lion Knights’ castle has been on the main military fortification of the 1984 LEGO Castle, the 6080 King’s Castle, the same series was also famous for a fairly strong civilian presence within the theme. I think it’s incredibly important that children see themselves in the toys they’re playing with. I definitely appreciate that.especially having been that young aying with her brothers sets. ![]() One of them is a female figure and I thought, that’s pretty darn cool. For me, it’s the minifigures that have that connection. ![]() She continues, “Adult fans.love things that connect them to their past. I think I was about four or five years old, playing in the family room on the floor, putting those yellow pieces together.” Krista Simpson from the MILUG fan group recalls, “The very first set I remember.building with my dad.was the yellow castle. 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. The original castle was yellow simply because our bricks weren’t made in many colors back then. Other sets in the eighties followed suit, like ‘The Guarded Inn’ where locals could stop for a drink, as well as a well-stocked armor shop. The first medieval Blacksmith Shop (1984) may have been small, but 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 heart of medieval society. When we think of the Middle Ages, we automatically think of battles between good and evil, ravaging kings and relentless sword fights. Marking ten 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. The result is a charming and rather nostalgic blacksmith’s workshop and home set over three wonderfully thought-out floors. 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 you to your childhood. This set was originally designed by superfan Clemens Fiedler, whose passion for medieval architecture shone through in his intricate design, gaining enough votes to be adapted into a real-life set. If you’re a fan of LEGO Castle, then you’re probably just as excited as us about the new and insanely cool LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set. A step back in time: The history of LEGO® Castle and our new LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set ![]()
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