Empire Greatsword

Greatswords are the loyal and experience bodyguards of the Elector Counts and many other high ranking officers and generals of the Imperial. Unlike the elite infantry of many other armies of the Empire, such as the Knightly Order, these men are not all of noble birth, but rather commoners and soldiers who rose up through the ranks with only merit and skills, and were hand-picked by the Elector Counts themselves to serve and protect him

Description
Greatswords are very experience soldiers, often being veterans of many horrific battles, and doing valiant and couragous deeds, which gives a Greatsword much respect and admiration from other troops of the army. They are usually grisly men, wearing highly-decorated uniforms, with plate armor, the traditional featured hat, and their most distinct feature, their massive, double-edge greatsword. They fight as a single elite unit, often being at the most thickest of the fighting, where their skills and bravery are much needed, but more then often, these troops are held back behind the lines to play their role as bodyguards. They are among the finest Imperial warriors available. Unlike the aristocratic members of the knightly orders, a Greatsword is a man plucked from the ranks due to some extraordinary feat of arms and bravery. That being said, an especially heroic Greatsword may be knighted by their Elector. Many men have died attempting to achieve the respected position of Greatsword. On one occasion during the battle of Blood Ridge Albrecht Hoefner the last survivor of von Menschers black helms received a promotion after defending his regiments colours for an entire day against attack from tribesmen and Beastmen. Their prowess is indicated by their primary weapon and namesake, a massive sword requiring two hands to wield. Charged with protecting the lord who raised them to Greatsword, they form a bodyguard of stubborn, resolute men of the finest character, protected by Dwarf-forged plate armour. The history of the Empire is full of tales of a final stand by the Greatswords of the Empire. ==Notable Greatswords==
 * Dieter Schaeffer leads a unit of Greatswords in red livery with enamelled black plate.
 * Hans Vogal is the Sergeant of a Greatsword regiment from Averland, who ends up leading survivors from an empire army. When he returns home he finds his village has been overcome by chaos and joins the Witch Hunter Magnus Gault on his quest to destroy chaos. In his time we see him fight against the forces of Tzeentch, Nurgle and Skaven.
 * The Carroburg Greatswords fight in thier own livery of red and white with black lacquered armour (instead of the uniform of their province- Riekland). These men used to wear the white and red colours of Reikland, but during the Time of the Three Emperors, these men fought valiantly against the armies of the Elector Count of Middenheim, until the Middenlander were forced back from the siege of Carroburg. In the aftermath, Imperial witnesses stats that the Greatswords uniforn were so drenched with Blood, that they didnt bother cleaning them and instead, changed their colour scheme to red and black, to commemerate this heroic victory.
 * One regiment in Averland is said to have an Ogre in its ranks fighting in oversized half plate with a great sword.
 * Wolframs Guard are the personal bodyguard of the Elector Count of Ostermark.
 * Ulrich leads a regiment of Pious Greatswords that are foot templars of Morr. They march into battle in red robes and cowels and their banner depicts the reaper with scythe and hourglass. Ulrich himself wears black robes marking him as an ordained priest of Morr.

Source

 * Armybook: Empire (5th Edition) pg. 51