"I felt the ground quake and our pikes clattered together as the vibrations got stronger. From over the brow of the hill came the Order of the Black Rose, heading straight for our pike wall. We couldn't believe it! Cavalry charging pikes from the front was suicide, but there they were at full tilt, with lances lowered. I have never been so afraid. It was like facing metal-clad gods, not an inch of flesh was visible. Well, we dropped our pikes and scattered. Who wouldn't?"
- —Anonymous pikeman.[2a]
The Order of the Black Rose, also known as the Knights of the Black Rose, is a Knightly Order of the Empire shrouded in mystery that was founded during the dark days of the Black Plague in the early 12th century IC, but has waxed and waned in size over the many years.[1a]
Currently, it is a relatively small order of knights that only recruits from local nobility.[3a] The Knights of the Black Rose frequently use symbols associated with Morr, the god of the dead and their order's divine patron.[1a][2a]
History[]
Originally founded during the Age of Three Emperors as the bodyguard of the Elector Count of Stirland who was another would-be emperor, the Order of the Black Rose have a long and chequered history, famously changing allegiance no less than three times in the fragmented wars in which they were founded. Though they still carry the emblem of their progenitor, their loyalties are as shifting as the sand, for their Grand Masters have ever sought to cultivate political power from the military might at their command.[2a]
At the Battle of the Talabec, they served as the heavy cavalry bodyguard of Ottilia I of Talabecland and were justly famed throughout the land. Recruited from the best warriors of Talabecland, they were paid and equipped at the state's expense. At that time, the order only numbered one hundred knights, and thus it was a great honour to be chosen to join their ranks. Every knight brought his own fighting expertise and knowledge with him to teach his compatriots. In this way, the fighting prowess of the order's knights was well rounded and unique. It was the knight's sworn duty during that battle to stay with the Talabeclander Elector Countess and protect her from harm.[2a]
Wargear[]
The Knights of the Black Rose charge the foe, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[4]
The plate armour of the Knights of the Black Rose is stained black in a reference to their name, except for their red gauntlets, signifying the spilt blood of their enemies. They carry heavy lances, maces, swords and kite-shaped shields emblazoned with a rose and thorns entwined around a bleeding heart.[2a]
What makes the knights unique is their horses' armour. The barding of the knights' steeds suggests the affiliation of the order with the god of the dead Morr: skulls, dreaded scythe-wielding Morr himself and other motifs associated with the god are all prevalent. Such a reminder of a man's mortality coupled with the dread nature of the imagery upon the barding is a terrifying sight for any enemy.[2a]
Canon Conflict[]
The Uniforms and Heraldry of the Empire background book claims that the Order of the Black Rose dates back to the early days of the Black Plague in the 12th century IC, while the Empire at War background book claims the order was founded much later during the Age of Three Emperors to serve as an honour guard for one of the would-be claimants to the Imperial throne of that time, in this case an unnamed Elector Count of Stirland.[1a] [2a]