Castle (Medieval) GAP Needs to be Filled By...

[Sir Prog]

I believe we are all in agreement that the Medieval Market was a dramatic improvement on the Castle theme, as it FINALLY brought an enriched extension beyond good & evil. It was those caught in between good & evil, the commoners, the people worth fighting for. It was an exciting move by LEGO, and I snatched mine up w/in 6-8 months of release (not normal for my purchase practices).

Lately, I have been extending my graduate studies into the history of Rhetoric in the Middle Ages, and a constant theme stuck out which I want to share. It is an idea central to the "castle" times, which has neither been explored nor produced, but would literally integrate a diverse quality for the castle line, much like the Medieval Market of 2009.

The proposal is this: a Medieval Monastery castle set!?

In response to the obvious argument against to come, I don't believe this set would in any way propagate a religion of any kind. On the contrary, it would highlight one of the most powerful forces of communication and control during the entire Middle Ages. Just think about the possibilities, an "ivory tower" where the most secluded intellectual thought takes place, LEGO monks and/or druid robe-wearing priests (cool for the authenticity as well as creating "cult" side stories for creative collectors), a holy or sacred text (much like the necronomicon of the dark arts theme, new takes on Castle design that could inspire more of a Gothic architectural structure, something else for the good/evil wars to fight over

[mystuffiscool]

Hmm... Could LEGO do this without raising some objection from some religious organization? It seems a bit unsafe to me, what with all the different people out there.

With all due respect,

[Karalora]

It might squeak by the protestors if they frame it as a scholarly order rather than an explicitly monastic one. In the Middle Ages the two were nearly synonymous anyway, so the stylistic effect would be the same: guys (and maybe gals) in brown robes, poring over books and scrolls in an austere stone building.

[Sir Prog]

Hmm... Could LEGO do this without raising some objection from some religious organization? It seems a bit unsafe to me, what with all the different people out there.

With all due respect,

I feel as though any groups or org's raising protest would themselves be the one "preaching", as I believe that objectively the most prevalent and thus most important role of government and communication of the time was controlled by the 'church', in whatever form it took. Thus, no one group would be centered. In fact, no cross or crucifix need even be laid out in design. HOWEVER, it would DEFINITELY be a incredible opportunity to introduce new set pieces; i.e., STAINED GLASS WINDOWS?! : O

[Sir Prog]

It might squeak by the protestors if they frame it as a scholarly order rather than an explicitly monastic one. In the Middle Ages the two were nearly synonymous anyway, so the stylistic effect would be the same: guys (and maybe gals) in brown robes, poring over books and scrolls in an austere stone building.

Exactly! It could take on a primarily 'scholastic' approach, as history notably shows us that the churches, monasteries, nunneries, etc controlled most if not all of the written texts and educational wherewithal. I think it's a keen idea, which could be splintered into sub-series (smaller sets) like a Nunnery (Nuns, of course), Rose Gardens (the melding of education and nature's beauty), and OF COURSE the ancient sub-terrain of Tombs & Catacombs!? : O !!! Which could then pay homage to the Knight's Templar, or dare we say it, the King's Castle??

[Bruce N H]

Sadly, I think that set 1309 is the last time we'll have a straight-up religious set. In this GodBricks post I outline all of those sets with even a hint of religion to them. I also argue in that post that LEGO could continue their line of advanced sets of cultural architectural landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal) they could do something like Notre Dame.

When LEGO lets you down, it's CCC to the rescue! In particular, watch the 'religious life' category for people's MOCs in this area.

Bruce

[Blueandwhite]

Ignoring any political or religious sensitivity to such sets, I wonder if there would be a large enough market for these. While I certainly would love to see a medieval church (a monastery is probably too big to be done to minifig scale), I wonder how many others would express a similar interest. If I were to make a completely uneducated guess I would imagine that a set like this would do well with us AFOLs but an entire line would probably be a harder sell.

I also found Bruce's suggestion of a model of Notre Dame (or better yet Cologne) to be intriguing. I could certainly see either cathedral being tastefully done at that scale and given the history of each I couldn't imagine anybody protesting a LEGO set that pays tribute to such wonderful architecture.

[Sir Kohran]

Am I the only one who finds the idea of a monastery set a bit boring? I imagine it would just be a load of grey and black bricks, and I can't see any great scope for accessories either.

[Bruce N H]

[Sir Kohran]

Oh come on, we all know Lego is never going to release anything nearly as big or as elaborate as most of those models.

[Dr.Cogg]

The problem with this Idea isn,t the building itself, but the name, no one would object if you called it a temple, but if you called it a church,monastery,etc...,you,ll have lots of objections.

[Sir Prog]

The problem with this Idea isn,t the building itself, but the name, no one would object if you called it a temple, but if you called it a church,monastery,etc...,you,ll have lots of objections.

Which is LUDICROUS to begin with. I would say that extreme politicism has no place here, but of course history shows us those in charge make the rules (and define history for themselves). Let's just take the largest organization to wield power within a 1000-year span and sweep it under the rug...I don't think so. In fact, the idea of libraries, hidden passages, crypts, plus the architectural designs, how could a great set or series NOT be considered appropriate???

[Count Blacktron]

I think a monastic themed set could be worked in, but it would end up being like a remote temple or fort with some students and teacher, a library and perhaps a few other sections. It would work within the LEGO Ninja or Adventurers Orient Expedition themes (they did have a Himalayan Temple), so why not in the European Castle Theme also. If it were based on the library model of a monks life then that'd be fine. You could even have a Monty Python group of monks and a little extension of the Medieval Market Village section; they should work together as the Cafe Corner/Marketplace sets do.

What I want in this sort of set that we don't already have:
1. Monks
2. Library
3. Donkey
4. Scribes
5. Sanctuary/meditation area/open-ornate courtyard
6. Small garden

How to integrate it:
Construct a back fort-wall with a rampart and put a couple of guard-knights on it, perhaps a Royal Tax Collector so the Crown hierarchy can expand an be maintained within the Castle theme.

Other ideas for the Castle GAP:
1. Medieval Mead Hall (for Hrothgar to worry himself to death about) for the Crown family to entertain and rule from.
2. Peasant Farm with Livestock. The thing is that if you Collect the City assortment this is going strong, and you can MOC to your heart's content.
3. Medieval Merchants; sort of a real group of shops and goods traders that you might find in the medieval village. Apothecary for medicines; a tailor who deals in clothes, skins and wool; a carpenter; a butcher; a baker; a candlestick maker.
4. Country Mill. A big classic windmill with plenty of Crown character flair and perhaps an invading troll or two to run off with a sack of flour and a wench.
5. Royal Forest and Hunting Party; a perfect opportunity to introduce a few deer, get a proper Prince and some hunters or even a Forestmen return for a nice little ambush.
6. Circle of Stones, an ancient ruin with some nice medieval questing, knights and a druid to encounter some foe or conduct a ritual meeting between rival kingdoms. I'd like to see more questing ideas from LEGO and a reintroduction of individualized knight heraldry.

That's my long answer for a "Dear LEGO" wishlist. I could go on, but who would read? LEGO, me-hopes.

[Sir Prog]

Sadly, I think that set 1309 is the last time we'll have a straight-up religious set. In this GodBricks post I outline all of those sets with even a hint of religion to them. I also argue in that post that LEGO could continue their line of advanced sets of cultural architectural landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal) they could do something like Notre Dame.

When LEGO lets you down, it's CCC to the rescue! In particular, watch the 'religious life' category for people's MOCs in this area.

Bruce

I was just observing the MAGNIFICENT array of creator-submitted churches and monastery castles on the front page of Classic-Castle. WOW! They look AMAZING! Such high quality craftsmanship and intricacy, it makes me sad that individuals can go above and beyond to add to Lego fandom, but Lego itself avoids expanding castle collections simply by reproducing the same-style castles/bridges/walls over and over and over... COME ON, LEGO!!!

[Danielas]

Hmm... Could LEGO do this without raising some objection from some religious organization? It seems a bit unsafe to me, what with all the different people out there.

With all due respect,

With all due respect the church was a huge part of history. If someone is offended by a Lego set based on the past then they have problems. Just because there is a crucifix on the alter dosn't mean that the Lego group is anti Hindu it just means they are trying to make a historically accurate set.