|cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:95%;font:95%"|[[Unification Wars]]-era

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The '''Adeptus Custodes''', renowned as the '''Golden Legion''', the '''Brotherhood of Demigods'''{{Fn|19}}{{Fn|Notes}}, the '''Golden Brotherhood'''{{Fn|19}}{{Fn|Notes}}, and a host of other titles ('''The Custodian Guard''', '''The Guardians''', the ''' Emperor’s Saints''',{{Fn|36a}} the '''Watchers of The Throne''', '''The Thousand Companions'''{{Fn|9}}, '''The Ten Thousand'''{{Fn|15a}}), but most commonly known as '''Custodians''', are the guardians of the [[Imperial Palace]] and the [[Golden Throne]], as well as the personal bodyguard to the [[Emperor]]. Due to the vast size of the [[Imperial Palace]], the Custodes always act as a defensive army.{{Fn|1}}

During the [[Age of Apostasy]], the Adeptus Custodes reemerged briefly during the siege of the [[Ecclesiarchal Palace]] of [[Terra]] in the reign of [[Goge Vandire]]. During this time, the Custodes attempted to make their way towards Vandire, halted only by the [[Brides of the Emperor]], who Vandire had convinced to become his personal bodyguards. After a long and otherwise fruitless discussion, the Custodes convinced the leader of the Brides, [[Alicia Dominica]], to return with them to the presence of the [[Emperor]]. What happened during that moment is unknown, but the effects resulted in the Brides of the Emperor rebelling against Vandire, ending his reign once and for all.{{fn|21b}}

Centuries later during the [[Terran Crusade]], Custodes arrived to reinforce the reborn [[Roboute Guilliman]] as he battled the [[Thousand Sons]] on [[Luna]]. Shortly after, Terra was [[Battle of Lion's Gate|besieged by Daemons]], proving to many Custodes that they had been wanting and let the threat of the Archenemy arrive on the Emperor's doorstep.{{Fn|25d}} Later, the Custodes permitted Guilliman to enter the Emperor's Throneroom alone for an entire day.{{Fn|18}} The reappearance of a Son of the Emperor galvanised the Custodes, and behind closed doors Guilliman and [[Captain-General]] [[Trajann Valoris]] amended the [[Edict of Restraint]] and modified the role of the Custodes that would see many of them journey across the Galaxy on [[Crusade]]s.{{Fn|25d}} Now members of the Custodes will bring war to the enemies of mankind, while the [[Companions]] oversee the safety of the Emperor's mortal form.{{Fn|19}}

The Adeptus Custodes are so revered that it is deemed heresy for the [[Administratum]] to record them ever losing a battle. Thus, it is officially recorded that any warzone the Custodes are deployed to is an Imperial victory, even before they arrive.{{Fn|25c}}

===Combat History===

====Unification Era====

==Organisation==

The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are a department of the [[Adeptus Terra]], the Imperial government, but its members are answerable only to the Emperor and their own leaders. The organisation's leader carries the title of [[Captain-General]], and due to the importance of the Adeptus Custodes they often hold a position in the Senate of the [[High Lords of Terra]]{{Fn|1}}. Below them are two '''Tribunes''', though during the Heresy era there were three.{{Fn|22b}} Individual squads of Custodes are overseen by [[Shield-Captains]].{{Fn|13}} The Custodes' nerve centre and command & control headquarters is the [[Tower of Hegemon]] within the Imperial Palace{{Fn|3}}, while a small elite of three hundred Custodes, known as the [[Companions]], form the Emperor's personal bodyguard and never leave his side.

*[[Dankanatoi]] - Created during the final days of the [[Horus Heresy]], intended to expunge all treachery from the Imperium.{{Fn|26b}}

*[[Blade Champion]] - Champions who seek out enemy leaders.{{Fn|37}}

====Shield-Hosts and Companies====

===Known Custodes===

*{{Main|Known Members of the Adeptus Custodes}}

====Heresy-era====

*Chief Custodian [[Constantin Valdor]] — [[Captain-General]] of the Legio Custodes, during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.{{Fn|3}} He is joined by the Ares Guard, his bodyguard and command unit.{{Fn|4c}}

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File:Companions of Custodian Guard.jpg|Custodian Jetbike trooper, three terminators of the Custodian Guard, and three of the Emperor's Companions{{Fn|4d}}{{Fn|16b}}

File:Mikaelor Cobernus.jpg|'''Mikaelor Cobernus, Shield Captain of the Legio Custodes'''{{Fn|16b}}