Mace Windu (72 BBY - 19 BBY) is a Jedi Master in the fictional Star Wars universe and one of the last members of the Jedi Council before the Great Jedi Purge. Windu was often regarded as second only to Master Yoda on the Council. His wisdom and power were legendary, as were the weight of his words.

He is the creator of the seventh style of lightsaber combat, Vaapad. Only Mace Windu and his former student Depa Billaba have ever mastered it. (See the seven forms of lightsaber combat.) With his ecclectic fighting style, it is said that only two individuals had ever outsparred Master Windu--Yoda and Dooku.

In addition to being a great warrior, he possesses extensive knowledge of Jedi history and philosophy.

Mace Windu is originally from the planet Haruun Kal as revealed in the novel, Shatterpoint. After the death of his parents, he was turned over to the Jedi Order when he was just six months old. He was appointed to the Jedi Council before his thirtieth birthday, and so was very young for the position he received. He was trained to be a Jedi by the venerable Master Yoda. In turn, Windu trained many to be Jedi during his career, including Echuu Shen-Jon (who ultimately survived the Purge), and fellow Council member Depa Billaba.

Prior to the Battle of Geonosis, Mace Windu killed Jango Fett. He led the Jedi to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala from an execution adminstered by Count Dooku and assigned to be done in a Geonosian fashion.

With the Clone Wars in full swing, Mace returned to his homeworld to track down his missing former Padawan, Depa Billaba. There, he experienced firsthand the horrors of war, and was pitted against the deadly Kar Vastor , and the dark side itself. Though Windu survived, the memories of his return to Haruun Kal would haunt him for a time. (Windu also fought against a powerful Seismic Tank on Dantooine.)

Though the end of the Clone Wars seemed close with the culmination of the Battle of Coruscant, Mace Windu had other troubles to worry about. The Jedi had been investigating the mysterious Darth Sidious, and Windu came to believe that the Sith Lord was, in fact, Chancellor Palpatine. Along with Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin and Agen Kolar, Mace confronted Palpatine, and was attacked by the Sith Master. However, it was Anakin Skywalker who delivered the killing blow, confirming his place at Palpatine's side.

Mace Windu was portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson requested that he have a purple-bladed lightsaber in Episode II, to which George Lucas agreed. As a result, Mace Windu is the only major character in any of the Star Wars films to have a lightsaber that is not red, green, or blue. This caused much speculation among the fans, some of whom believed his purple blade signified a forthcoming plot twist that would reveal Windu as a Jedi traitor (basing such speculation on the fact that blue and red (light and dark in terms of lightsaber colour) make purple when mixed, suggesting that Mace was both light and dark.) Aside from color, his lightsaber is also unique in another way--only a senior member of the Jedi Council could have such an intricately designed lightsaber hilt as his.

Amongst the many legends surrounding this luminary, one is particularly demonstrative of both his powerful presence and warrior prowess: Mace Windu was outnumbered by Gank killers. Master Windu said only three words, "It's your decision," placing his hand on his Jedi weapon. Each of the thugs lowered their weapons and surrendered. A tale Mace Windu would neither confirm nor deny.