King Richard / Royal Knight (Horse Barding Figure)
cas001 · Castle
Royal Knights · 1995. Released as part of the debut wave for the Royal Knights sub-theme, which introduced the first molded king's crown and a more 'realistic' castle aesthetic compared to previous years.
Figure ID
cas001
Theme
Castle
Year Released
1995. Released as part of the debut wave for the Royal Knights sub-theme, which introduced the first molded king's crown and a more 'realistic' castle aesthetic compared to previous years.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare. While the Royal Knights sets were popular, the barding (horse armor) is often lost, damaged, or the fragile clips are broken, making complete units harder to find.
Head
The figure intended for this horse (King Richard) features a classic yellow head with a red beard, bushy eyebrows, and a crown. However, only the horse and barding are pictured.
Torso
The correct rider for this horse features a silver breastplate over red and blue tunics with the Royal Knight lion emblem printed on the chest.
Legs
Standard grey or blue legs depending on the specific knight, though the King variant typically utilized light grey legs with no printing.
Accessories
The pictured item is composed of a Black Horse (4493c01p01) and Red Horse Barding (Large) with Royal Knights Lion and Yellow Fringe Pattern (2490p01). Missing includes the rider, saddle, and knightly gear (sword, shield, lance).
Color Scheme
Primary colors are Red and Yellow for the barding, against a solid Black horse mold. The printing on the barding uses bright yellow ink over a red plastic base.
Printing Details
Pad printing on the barding. The design features two crowned rampant lions and a stylized yellow decorative fringe along the bottom edge on both sides. Quality is high, though susceptible to scratching.
Variants
The horse barding itself has one primary version with this specific print. The horse mold has variants (thin vs. thick eyes), but this is the standard 'Googly Eye' print common in the mid-90s.
Condition Notes
The most critical areas are the two thin clips on top of the barding; they are extremely prone to snapping. The printing on the sides often shows 'flea bites' or white scratches where the yellow ink has chipped away.
Estimated Value
The horse with the barding typically sells for $15-$25 USD in good condition. The full minifigure (King Richard) with his horse can reach $35-$50 USD depending on the crown and cape condition.
Price (New)
1995 retail context: The royal horse appeared in sets ranging from the King's Carriage ($15.00) to the Royal Knight's Castle ($90.00).
Compatible Sets
6090 Royal Knight's Castle, 6044 King's Carriage, 1752/1802 Trystan's Crossbow, and 6008 Royal King.
Character Background
King Richard (often simply called the Royal King) was the leader of the Royal Knights. He was the first LEGO King to feature a chrome/metallic crown and a unique 'royal' identity separate from the Lion Knights of the 80s.
Design Notes
This barding mold was a major innovation for the Castle theme in the early 90s, replacing the older brick-built or fabric horses with a sleek, one-piece plastic armor plate that clipped onto the horse's back.
Similar Minifigures
King Leo (Knights Kingdom), Lion Knight (Classic), and Emperor Orbus. It is most frequently compared to the earlier Dragon Knights horse armor.
Collectibility
High. The Royal Knights remain one of the most nostalgic waves for collectors who grew up in the mid-90s. The horse barding is an essential 'completionist' item for castle dioramas.
History
Launched in 1995 to replace the Dragon Knights. It marked a return to 'good' king archetypes. This specific barding design was only produced for a few years before the line transitioned to the more stylized Fright Knights.
Interesting Facts
The lion emblem used on this barding is a direct evolution of the 1984 Lion Knights crest, but redesigned to look more aggressive and regal for the 90s market.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed with a chrome-silver King Richard minifigure on top. Place on a green baseplate with a white lance to contrast the deep red barding.
Modification Potential
The barding is a single piece and hard to modify without losing value, but it is a popular base for 'purist' MOCs of medieval tournaments.
Overall Assessment
The Royal Knight horse barding is an iconic piece of 90s LEGO history. Despite being just an accessory, it holds significant value and character. Assessment: A must-have for Castle fans, provided the clips are intact.