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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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|Name=Crusaders
|Founding Chapter=Black Templars
|Founding=Twenty-Fourth FoundingUnknown
|Chapter Master=Richard Lyonhart
|Homeworld= Several Fleets
== '''History''' ==
The Crusaders are a mysterious chapter whose sole purpose in life is to protect the Emperor and fulfill his wishes. This has led the Crusaders to become formiddable fighters against threats to humanity. The Crusaders believe that glory and honour are the most important ideals and will strive for many years to earn it. This trend means an oath taken by a Crusader will never be broken.
== '''[[The Holy Wars]]''' ==
The Crusaders launched a massive assault upon Diabolus Mundus in 756.M38, managing to gain an advantage on their former bretheren. The Crusaders and Sons of Saladin fought each other until the Sons were forced to flee into the warp.
The Sons of Saldin Saladin reemerged in 952.M38 and fought the Crusaders on one of their recruitment worlds Laus Mundus. The Crusaders suffered heavy losses but were aided Dark Crusaders. In 967.M38, the loyalist forces defeated the Sons of Saldin again. The Crusaders were out of action until 197.M39, when they became operational again.
In 893.M41, the Crusaders were ambushed on an unknown planet by the Sons of Saldin but managed to hold their own. Unfortunately, the Sons had immense forces and the Crusaders were driven back to the world now known as Excessum Prime.
The Crusaders Chapter Master, Richard Lyonhart, used tactical planning to defeat the Sons of Saladin. In a final battle between the remaining Crusaders and Sons of Saldin, Richard and Saladin met in combat. The fighting was much like the battle between the emperor and Leman Russ, but Saldin was using a mighty hammer and Richard, a sword. Richard emerged victorious and the cowardly Sons of Saldin escaped. The Crusaders are still building up their forces for final confrontation of the Sons of Saldin.
== Organisation ==
The Crusaders are not a codex chapter. Their organisation in battle is usually intelligent tactics backed by random attacks. Most of the forces are are formed in an ad hoc manner. The Crusader individual squads and specialists (such as Apothecaries and) will fight side by side due to comradeship. In a Crusader legend, it tells of an Apothecary removing one of his own hearts and giving it to a dying commander. This honourable action has gone down through many generations as possibly the greatest deed in their history.
'''The Emperors Crusader'''
The Emperors Crusader is the chapter master of the Crusaders. His name originates from John Honor, third Crusader Chapter Master, kneeling before the Emperor. The tale says that the Emperor tells him an unknown quest he must go upon in the Emperors name. Taking only a squad of his best fighters, John dissapeared for almost one hundred years before returning, miraculously, with some sword. After him, before a marine may become the chapter master, he must venture on a quest. When (or if) he comes back, he will be presented by the sacred sword as the Emperors Crusader.
The ==Sources and References==
