43 Talk

Red Guard



General information
Founder(s)	Supreme Chancellor Palpatine^[1]
Locations	Galactic City, Coruscant^[2]
Historical information
Founding	c. 32 BBY^[1]
Reorganization	19 BBY (as the Royal Guard)^[3]
Other information
Era(s)	Rise of the Empire era^[1]
Affiliation	Galactic Republic^[2] Supreme Chancellor^[2]

[Source]

"You see? You must allow yourself your own private guards, Supreme Chancellor!"

―Senator Viento to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine^[src]

The Red Guard, nicknamed Redrobes, was an elite force of bodyguards trained to protect Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the head of state of the Galactic Republic Its first members were drawn from the ranks of the Senate Guard. Guardsmen noted for loyalty and efficiency were transferred into the Red Guard; Senate Commandos—regarded as the best and the bravest soldiers of the Senate Guard—were also assimilated into the Chancellor's private security unit.

The Red Guard served as Chancellor Palpatine's protectors before and throughout the Clone Wars, a galaxy-wide civil war between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. After the Republic's transition into the Galactic Empire was completed by the end of the war in 19 BBY, the Red Guard was reorganized into the Imperial Royal Guard by the newly-appointed Emperor Palpatine.

1 History
2 Equipment
3 Appearances
4 Sources
5 Notes and references
6 See also
- 6.1 In other languages

HistoryEdit

"Yes, I remember how powerful the Red Guards were. They used to bully us."

―Kambrea^[src]

As they were formed at Palpatine's discretion without a formal act, several senators (including Bail Organa) considered them to be illegal, and even the Jedi High Council were unsure of their true number and strength. Palpatine justified their creation due to rumors of corruption amongst the Senate Guard, especially after the infamous Ronhar Kim incident. During the hunt for Darth Sidious, Mace Windu and Yoda suspected that the Dark Lord of the Sith might be among their number.

During the Battle of Coruscant, the Red Guard were led by High Jedi General Windu in his defense of the Galactic Senate building. The Red Guards protecting Palpatine during the battle also expressed some anxiety at Palpatine's stubborn refusal to leave his office. Following the abolition of the Republic, the Red Guard became the new Emperor's Royal Guard; however, their appearance and equipment changed little.

Unlike the Royal Guard, there is no indication that the Red Guard evolved out of the elite clone troopers and stormtroopers. Given how the Red Guard appeared independently and before the appearance of the Grand Army of the Republic, it seems that the Red Guard only gradually became the elite unit of the conventional military. However, like the Royal Guard, the Red Guard was not subject to senatorial oversight, and reported only to Chancellor Palpatine.

EquipmentEdit

"Well trained the Supreme Chancellor's Red Guards are. But display due concern for his safety, the Jedi must."

―Grand Master Yoda.^[src]

The armor of the Red Guard differed from the Senate Guard in many ways other than the change in color. The helmets became full facial, with a darkened visor. This change made the helmets reminiscent of ones worn by Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders and Thyrsus Sun Guards. The body armor consisted of plated crimson armor of an unknown composition, overlaid with voluminous robes, presumably to conceal weaponry. The Red Guard primarily used a meter-long force pike.