Pre-Heresy Dark Angels Legion icon
A Paladin, also called a "pure-blade," was an intermediate officer rank of the Dark Angels Legion during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras. The I Legion followed the principles of the Principia Belicosa, organising their Legion's strength into Chapters, led by Masters, and Orders, which in turn were led by Paladins. These formations were further broken down into Companies, commanded by Captains.
Each Paladin was an elite swordsman and often served as a Company Champion for the Legion. For instance, the 9th Order of the I Legion was known to have at least fifty Paladins during the Great Crusade who also served as the Honour Guard of the Primarch Lion El'Jonson.
The rank of Paladin became defunct after the Second Founding and is no longer in use among the Dark Angels Chapter or its Unforgiven Successors.
Wargear
Dark Angels Paladins were armed with long-bladed Power Swords and Blast-Shields.
Sources
- Angels of Caliban (Novel) by Gav Thorpe, Chs. 3. 15
- Holder of the Keys (Audio Book) by Gav Thorpe
- Leman Russ: The Great Wolf (Novel) by Chris Wraight, Ch. IV