This page is about Knightcore, the aesthetic, not Nightcore, the music genre.
Knightcore is a Royalcore sub-aesthetic inspired by medieval knights. Knightcore has a large presence on Tumblr. There is also a portion of the aesthetic community that related Knightcore to Rangercore, using the shared themes of combat and nature visuals. Like the related aesthetic Princecore, a section of this aesthetic is centered around gay relationships and the two are often paired together.
Fashion
Due to their practical purposes, historically accurate and historically-inspired knight attire is generally uncomfortable and regarded as inappropriate for everyday wear and most formal occasions. They are mostly used in art and cosplay.
- Leather
- Metal armor
- Gauntlets
- Chainmail
- Vests
- Cloaks
- Crowns
- Jewelry, especially rings
- Sheaths
- Swords
- Shields
Practical
- Layering (eg. firm fabrics on soft)
- Tucked shirts
- Leather
- Metal
- Headpieces, eg. small crowns
- Sun and moon designs
- Corsets
- Puff sleeves
- Vests
- Gloves
- Belts
- Buckles
- Jewelry, especially rings and bracelets
- Boots
- Chains
- Small bags and pouches
- Simplistic
Activities
Horse-back riding
Fencing/Swordfighting
Archery
Running
Protecting/Bodyguarding
Practice fights
Visuals
Knightcore uses visuals similar to other Royalcore sub-aesthetics, but differs in its focus on knighthood, war, and adventure. Here is a short list of common Knightcore visuals:
- Wide, open skies
- Fields
- Crosses
- Palaces and castles
- Medieval marketplaces
- Horses
- Metal, especially armor
- Chainmail
- Swords
- Daggers
- Shields
- Leather
- Flags, especially medieval flags
- Symbolic imagery
- Fire
- Blood
- Forests, especially during autumn and winter
- Conflict/War
Media
Written Works
- Krzyżacy (Knights of the Teutonic Order) by Henryk Sienkiewicz
- Grażyna by Adam Mickiewicz
Films
- A Knight's Tale (2001)
- Braveheart (1995)
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
- El Cid (1961)
- The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)
- The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
- The Tale of Despareaux (2008)
- Snow White and the Huntsman
TV Shows
- Galavant
- Merlin
Video Games
- Neopets: The Darkest Faerie (2005)
- Chivalry: Medieval Warfare (2012)
- Dark Souls 3 (2016)
- For Honor (2017)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018)
Music
Playlists
YouTube
- you've fallen in with love with the prince you're supposed to assassinate (dark royalty core)
- the prince asks you for a dance at his spring ball and you fall in love
- running away with your lover that you were told to stay away from while it rains (royalty core)
- World's Most Epic Adventure Music | 2-Hour Orchestral Music Mix
Bands
- Blind Guardian
- Jethro Tull
- Rush (Caress of Steel, A Farewell to Kings)
Resources
Accounts
Tumblr