The Black Templars are one of the most iconic and zealous Space Marine Chapters in Warhammer 40,000, known for their unrelenting crusades and unwavering faith in the Emperor. Unlike many other Space Marine Chapters, the Black Templars do not conform to the standard organization of the Codex Astartes. Instead, they follow their own path, driven by religious fervor and a desire to eradicate the enemies of mankind. Their origins, structure, and combat doctrine are deeply inspired by the historical Knights Templar, making them one of the most fascinating factions in the Warhammer 40K universe.
Origins: A Chapter Born from Betrayal
The Black Templars were founded during the Second Founding, following the events of the Horus Heresy. When the traitorous Warmaster Horus led half of the Space Marine Legions in rebellion against the Emperor, the Imperium was nearly destroyed. The Emperor himself was mortally wounded in the final battle aboard Horus’ flagship, the Vengeful Spirit, and was entombed within the Golden Throne.
After the Heresy, the remaining loyalist Legions were broken up into smaller Chapters to prevent any one force from becoming too powerful and threatening the Imperium again. The Imperial Fists, the Legion led by Rogal Dorn, were divided into multiple Chapters, one of which was the Black Templars. Their first Chapter Master, Sigismund, was the most zealous warrior of the Imperial Fists and had proven himself as the Emperor’s Champion during the Heresy. Unlike many of his peers, Sigismund refused to settle into a fortress-monastery or adopt the Codex Astartes. Instead, he declared an Eternal Crusade in the Emperor’s name, a war that has never ended.
A Brotherhood of Crusaders: The Influence of the Knights Templar
The Black Templars are heavily inspired by the medieval Knights Templar, a real-world Christian military order from the time of the Crusades. Much like their historical counterparts, the Black Templars are a religiously driven warrior brotherhood who view their war as a sacred duty.
Parallels Between the Black Templars and the Knights Templar
- Religious Zealotry: Both the historical Knights Templar and the Black Templars fight with unwavering devotion to their faith. For the Black Templars, the Emperor is more than just a leader—he is a god, and they are his holy warriors.
- Crusading Warfare: The Knights Templar waged long campaigns in the Holy Land, much like the Black Templars’ Eternal Crusade across the galaxy. They believe that war must be waged constantly in the Emperor’s name.
- Strict Codes of Conduct: The Black Templars have an oath-driven hierarchy, where warriors swear solemn vows before battle, similar to the monastic oaths of the Templars.
- Refusal to Settle: Just as the Knights Templar were a mobile order without a single homeland, the Black Templars reject the idea of a homeworld, living instead aboard their massive warships as they crusade across the stars.
Defying the Codex Astartes
The Codex Astartes, written by Roboute Guilliman after the Heresy, was meant to standardize all Space Marine Chapters. It dictated that each Chapter should be no larger than 1,000 warriors, divided into ten Companies. The Black Templars, however, openly disregard this rule.
Instead of a single force, the Black Templars are spread across the galaxy in numerous crusade fleets, each containing hundreds or even thousands of warriors. The true size of the Chapter is unknown, but it is suspected to be several times larger than the standard 1,000 Marines. Despite this, the Imperium largely turns a blind eye to their numbers because they are too valuable in the war against humanity’s enemies.
Other ways the Black Templars defy the Codex Astartes:
- No Librarians: The Black Templars despise psykers, seeing them as unholy and a potential gateway for Chaos corruption. Unlike other Space Marine Chapters, they have no Librarians to wield psychic powers in battle.
- Initiate and Neophyte Pairing: Instead of separate Scout Companies, Black Templar Neophytes (recruits) are directly assigned to veteran Initiates, learning through direct combat rather than structured training.
- Oath-Based Warfare: Before every battle, the Black Templars swear sacred oaths, reinforcing their commitment to the Emperor and ensuring their zeal never falters.
- Close-Combat Focus: While many Space Marine Chapters favor balanced warfare, the Black Templars prefer melee combat. They charge into battle with chainswords and power weapons, embodying the fury of the Emperor himself.
The Eternal Crusade: A War Without End
For over 10,000 years, the Black Templars have never ceased their holy war. Their fleets roam the galaxy, purging xenos, heretics, and witches wherever they are found. They are one of the most dedicated forces in the Imperium, utterly ruthless in their devotion to the Emperor.
During the recent Indomitus Crusade, led by the resurrected Primarch Roboute Guilliman, the Black Templars were given reinforcements in the form of Primaris Marines. Though initially skeptical of these new warriors, they have since been integrated into the Chapter. The Crusade continues stronger than ever, with no end in sight.
Conclusion: The Emperor’s Fanatical Sons
The Black Templars stand apart from most other Space Marine Chapters, both in their structure and their beliefs. Inspired by the historical Knights Templar, they are a force of religious zealotry and endless war, embodying the Emperor’s wrath like no other. Their defiance of the Codex Astartes has only made them stronger, proving that faith and fury can be just as powerful as strategy and discipline.
As long as the Imperium endures, the Black Templars will continue their Eternal Crusade—one battle, one world, one holy war at a time.
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