The Legend of Prince Valiant facts for kids

The Legend of Prince Valiant is an animated TV show that aired from 1991 to 1993. It is based on the Prince Valiant comic strip by Hal Foster. The story takes place in the time of King Arthur. It's an adventure show for families about a young prince who was forced to leave his home. He goes on a journey to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. His quest begins after he dreams about Camelot and its special "New Order." The show was first shown on The Family Channel and had 65 episodes.

The Story of Prince Valiant's Adventures

How the Story Begins

The series starts with the fall of Thule. This is a made-up kingdom where Prince Valiant was supposed to be king. A mean conqueror named Cynan takes over Thule. Valiant, his parents, and other people from the castle are forced to leave. They go to a tough marshland across the sea.

Young Valiant is very sad about losing his home. He also wants revenge on Cynan. He tries to make the best of his new life but feels he needs a bigger purpose. He finds this purpose when he dreams about Camelot. In his dreams, he sees King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table.

Valiant is very excited about Camelot's "New Order." This idea means that strength should not be used to hurt others. Instead, truth, justice, honor, and friendship should guide how people treat each other. Even though his father doesn't want him to go, Valiant leaves his family's new home. He searches for Camelot so he can serve King Arthur as a Knight of the Round Table.

During his journey, Valiant meets two peasants who are inspired by his dream and join him. The first is Arn, a traveling peasant. He is very skilled in the woods but feels bad about being poor and not being able to read. The second is Rowanne, a blacksmith's daughter. She is brave, doesn't follow old rules, and is great with a bow and arrow. These three quickly become best friends and find Camelot together. But before they can become knights, they must train hard, fight many enemies, and grow up a bit more.

Season One: Becoming a Knight

The first few episodes show Valiant's past and how he meets Arn and Rowanne. They also show how they find Camelot. Two main stories guide the rest of the season. First, Valiant learns and grows emotionally. Second, Cynan becomes a bigger threat to Camelot.

Valiant learns to be humble, patient, responsible, and to control his temper. This helps him as he meets people connected to Cynan. These meetings show that Cynan wants to invade Camelot. By the end of the season, Valiant has proven himself. He is allowed to lead an army back to Thule. He reclaims his homeland from Cynan's forces. He does this with the help of Arn, Rowanne, Merlin, and his father, King Williem.

The season ends with Valiant saying goodbye to his parents and his childhood home. He returns to Camelot and is made a knight by King Arthur. There are also many stand-alone adventures. These adventures make Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne famous throughout the kingdom.

Some important stories begin in the first season and continue into the second. Arn and Rowanne still want to be knights. Their training and coming of age stories continue. The love triangle between Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne takes a backseat but comes back later. A bad guy named Duncan Draconarius slowly starts to change for the better. Another character, Denys, is introduced briefly. He becomes more important in the second season. Conflicts that continue into the second year include Camelot's fights with the Viking nation. Also, the threat from Sir Mordred and growing unhappiness with Arthur's New Order.

Season Two: Facing New Dangers

Three main stories guide the second season. First, Valiant settles in as a knight and improves his leadership skills. Second, Arn and Rowanne deal with their doubts as they work towards knighthood. Third, the growing threat from Mordred's "New Dawn." This group is a twisted version of Arthur's New Order.

Mordred and his partner Lord Maldon use people's prejudice against non-Camelotians. They also use fear of a Viking invasion. The situation gets worse as Mordred makes friends with Camelot's enemies. These include the Viking nation and the Misty Isles. A traitor inside Camelot tries to make it fall. By this time, Arn and Rowanne have both earned their places at the Round Table. Valiant has become one of Camelot's top knights.

Near the end of the series, King Arthur tries a risky plan to stop the New Dawn. But Maldon messes it up, and Arthur gets buried alive. Queen Guinevere then surprisingly says that Prince Valiant is Arthur's chosen heir and the new King of Camelot.

Camelot keeps losing ground against its enemies. Then, some surprising events turn the tide. The Vikings learn something about Mordred and end their alliance. The people revolt against the New Dawn. Valiant defeats Mordred in a fight and gets back Excalibur. And Arthur returns alive and well! The series ends with King Arthur back on his throne. He salutes the future of Camelot under the New Order. Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne stand by his side.

Other important stories develop in this season. Princess Aleta and King Hugo of the Misty Isles are introduced. These characters add new parts to the Valiant-Rowanne-Arn love triangle. They also add to the danger from Mordred's group. The Northland story also makes the love and war stories more complex. It helps Arn and Rowanne finally become knights. Duncan Draconarious appears in a few episodes and firmly joins Camelot's side. Some stories focus on Valiant's young squire Denys. One of these stories shows what happens to season one villains Cynan and Dylan. And, of course, there are stand-alone adventures. These add to Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne's growing fame in Camelot.

Meet the Characters

Main Characters

• Prince Valiant (voiced by Robby Benson) — He is the prince of Thule, but his family was forced to leave. Valiant is brave, kind, and a bit stubborn. He is very loyal to Camelot and his friends. Sometimes he can be reckless and a little proud. He uses the Singing Sword, which is like Excalibur. He rides a black horse named Caliburn. He becomes a knight after defeating Cynan. He falls in love with Princess Aleta right away. He grows up a lot and briefly becomes King of Camelot. He is the only character in every episode.
• Arn (voiced by Michael Horton) — He is a kind but unsure traveling woodsman. He feels he isn't good enough to be a knight because he can't read and is sometimes clumsy. He is great at tracking and survival. He rides a brown horse named Crux. He lost his parents in a Viking attack. Now, he sees Valiant and Rowanne as his family. He secretly loves Rowanne, but she doesn't feel the same way. He later becomes a knight after stopping a bad baron.
• Rowanne of Bridgesford (voiced by Noelle North) — She is a strong and lively peasant who doesn't like old traditions. She wants to be the first female Knight of the Round Table. She rides a white horse that is never named. She can be stubborn and quick to anger, but she is also romantic. This leads to some tricky love situations. She is an amazing archer and learned blacksmithing from her father. She becomes a knight at the same time as Arn.
• Merlin (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) — He is a mysterious royal advisor. He is very wise and knows about alchemy and other sciences. People who don't understand think he uses magic. He is smart and stays in good shape. He traveled the world when he was young. He raised and protected Arthur from when he was a baby. He guides Arthur and Valiant with advice and hints.
• King Arthur (voiced by Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) — He is the ruler of Camelot and started the New Order. He is a legend because he pulled Excalibur from a stone. He is strict but fair. He believes in ruling with peace, truth, and honor, not warfare. He is very hurt by betrayal, especially from Sir Mordred. He has a loving marriage with Guinevere and a long friendship with Merlin. He sees Valiant as very important for Camelot's future.
• Sir Gawain (voiced by Tim Curry) — He is a proud, experienced Knight of the Round Table. He is a powerful warrior and is known for his strength. He is one of four knights who survived a famous battle. He is popular with ladies and gets angry if anyone threatens his king. He trains Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne. He forms a close bond with Valiant.
• Queen Guinevere (voiced by Samantha Eggar) — She is the calm and graceful ruler of Camelot. She is smart and strong. She can take charge when there's a crisis. She manages the kingdom's cultural events and fully supports the New Order. She deeply loves her husband Arthur and helps him stay calm. She wishes she had children but sees Valiant and his friends as the next generation of Camelot.
• Sir Bryant (voiced by James Avery & Dorian Harewood) — He is a quiet and fair veteran Knight of the Round Table. He is a noble, thoughtful warrior. He is seen as the brains of the Gawain-Bryant team. He came from Iberia (where he was a prince) with his wife and son. They were later killed by robbers. He takes his duties as a knight and a role model very seriously. He trains Valiant, Arn, and Rowanne for knighthood.

Other Important Characters

• King Willem (voiced by Peter Renaday) — Valiant's father and King of Thule.
• Queen Briana (voiced by Marnie Mosiman) — Valiant's mother and Queen of Thule.
• King Cynan (voiced by Tony Jay) — The cruel conqueror of Thule. He wants to invade Camelot. He is the main bad guy in the first season.
• Cedric (voiced by Brian Cummings) — Rowanne's father and a blacksmith. He gave Valiant the Singing Sword.
• Duncan Draconarius (voiced by Neil Ross) — A corrupt baron. He eventually changes and becomes a king.
• Sir Mordred (voiced by Simon Templeman) — A champion of Camelot and an old friend of Arthur's. He believes that might makes right (strength is always right). He secretly killed a Viking peace group years ago. He started the "New Dawn" to take over Camelot. He is the main bad guy in the second season.
• Lady Morgana (voiced by Patty Duke & Diana Muldaur) — Arthur's older half-sister and an alchemist. She is Merlin's rival.
• Lord Maldon (voiced by Jeff Bennett) — A bitter man who supports the New Dawn. He knows how to make gunpowder.
• Denys (voiced by Jack Lynch) — Cynan's younger son. He is Valiant's squire and like a younger brother to him. He also wants to become a knight.
• Aleta (voiced by Paige O'Hara) — A brave and sometimes proud princess (later Queen) of the Misty Isles. She is a good fighter and believes in the New Order. She falls in love with Valiant.
• King Hugo (voiced by John Rhys-Davies) — Aleta's father and ruler of the Misty Isles. He holds old grudges.

How it Connects to Legends and Comics

Many characters in the show come from the famous Arthurian legends. These include King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Merlin, Sir Gawain, Sir Mordred, Lady Morgana, and Sir Kay. Places like Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table are also from these old stories. Arthur's sword Excalibur is a key part of the legend. The show's "New Order" is based on the chivalric principles that Camelot is known for.

The Prince Valiant comic strip also takes place in King Arthur's world. It features many of the same main characters as the TV show. Both the comics and the show have Prince Valiant and Queen Aleta. They also share their kingdoms, Thule and the Misty Isles, and Valiant's Singing Sword.

However, there are some differences. In the comics, Valiant's father is named Aguar, not Williem. His mother is not named in the comics, but she is called Briana in the show. In the comics, Thule is taken over by a ruler named Sligon, not Cynan. The TV show also reuses some situations and minor characters from the comics.

Rowanne and Sir Bryant are two major characters in the TV show who do not appear in the Arthurian legends or the long-running Prince Valiant comic strip.

Show Merchandise

Soundtrack Music

The Legend of Prince Valiant Soundtrack has eighteen songs. These background themes were made by the music duo Exchange (Gerald O’Brien and Steve Sexton). The soundtrack is special because it includes the full version of the show's opening song, "Where the Truth Lies." It also has a pop song called "Love Called Out My Name," which uses the show's love music.

Song List

• "Where the Truth Lies" (performed by Exchange featuring Marc Jordan)
• "Celebration Dance"
• "Sir Bryant"
• "Love Called Out My Name" (performed by Exchange featuring Amy Sky and Marc Jordan)
• "Guinevere"
• "Search and Journey"
• "In the Shadows"
• "Valiant's Theme"
• "A Monks Evil Drone"
• "Ending Title Theme"
• "The Majesty's Feast"
• "The Serenade"
• "Valiant & Rolf"
• "Victory March"
• "All Alone"
• "Danger is Near"
• "Valiant Leaves Home"
• "Where the Truth Lies (reprise)"

Video Games

In 1991 and 1992, King Features Syndicate gave Ocean Software the rights to make video games based on The Legend of Prince Valiant. These games were for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Game Boy. The NES version was an action game. It told the story of Valiant's search for Camelot from the first season. Players control Valiant, making him walk, jump, and throw things. Obstacles include pit traps and water.

The Game Boy version was a strategy game. Fighting was done in an arcade style, not like a typical strategy game. Players had to destroy all enemy units or capture all castles to win. Winning showed a celebration screen, while losing meant "game over."

See also

In Spanish: La leyenda del Príncipe Valiente para niños