>>530695287
They are
Marika had Maliketh and Messmer have the same black armor with the same black scales in the chest (except Messmer slightly covers it with the red rags), and Messmer's Black Knights have similar black armor etched with gold. The engravings all happened at a later date and they are different, as Messmer forces depict the Scadutree. The white plumage of Messmer Knights and the white mane of Maliketh is another clear and smart hint that the Black Knights are way older than the Golden Order, as is Maliketh, who is literally a beastman of Farum Asula that resides in the Beast Sanctum. Powerful knights had the honor of fashioning this long mane which during the Sun Realm as it was a symbol of power, like the Banished Knights also do, and in general the mane is used to express might even later by Consort Radahn.

It's very likely that the Black Knights are the original knights of Leyndell back when it was known as the Eternal City, and Marika holds hostage people who know that she usurped her role as Goddess.

>>530695287
They are
Marika had Maliketh and Messmer have the same black armor with the same black scales in the chest, and Messmer's Black Knights have similar armor. The engravings all happened at a later date. The white plumage is another clear and smart hint that the Black Knights are way older than the Golden Order and Marika's ascension, as is Maliketh. Powerful knights had the honor of fashioning this long mane which during the Sun Realm as it was a symbol of power, like the Banished Knights also do, and in general the mane is used to express might even later by Consort Radahn.

It's very likely that the Black Knights are the original knights of Leyndell back when it was known as the Eternal City