Founded in January 1965 as The Royal Serpents, the organization's name changed to Imperial War Lords within its first month of existence.
The organization sponsored teenage dances, and frequented the First United Lutheran Church, whose pastors Sonny Goldenstein and later Keith Davis ministered to them.
The group was led by Charles "Sweed" Jeffries, who was active in the East St. Louis school boycotts in the spring of 1968.
The War Lords played an active role in Project IMPACT (innovative Methods of Positive Action for Community Tranquility), a federally funded arts and recreation program in East St. Louis which sponsored summer music concerts.
There are few references to the War Lords after that, although in one late press release, Charles Jeffries stated that membership had been opened to whites.