𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 are a Second Founding Order, descended from the Imperial Fists of Primarch Rogal Dorn.

Dorn himself was a long-time ardent opponent of the Codex Astartes, which provided for the division of the former legions into orders, but ultimately resigned, not wanting to allow civil war in the Imperium.

The division into orders was based on psychological recognition - the Black Templars were the most intolerant and fierce fighters of the legion.These warriors believed that the Great Crusade must continue no matter what.

The first supreme marshal of the order, Sigismund, who became famous during the siege of Terra during the Horus Heresy, took an oath that his order, having left Terra, would never back down from its duty - to fight against the enemies of the Emperor. Every leader of the Black Templars who followed Sigismund recites this oath again, assuming his post. Thus began the crusade of the Black Templars.

By the 41st millennium, it has continued without interruption for ten thousand years.