Editing Changing of the Guard

{{Status|Canon}}
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|image=[[File:H2A - Changing of the Guard.jpg|300px]]
|conflict=[[Great Schism]]
|date=[[2552#November|November 2, 2552]]
|place=''[[High Charity]]''
|result=Beginning of the [[Great Schism]]<br />[[Covenant separatists|Fragmentation]] of the [[Covenant]]
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{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=This is unprecedented. Unacceptable.|Rtas 'Vadumee|q2=Recommissioning the Guard was a radical step. But recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety.|High Prophet of Truth|Conversation between [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]] with [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] during the changing.}}

The '''Changing of the Guard''' was a radical replacement of the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guards]] with the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guards]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', ''[[Limited Collector's Edition Disc (Halo 2)|Limited Collector's Edition DVD]]''</ref> It was one of many events that led to the downfall of the [[Covenant]].

==History==
After the [[Assassination of the Prophet of Regret|assassination]] of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] by [[John-117]], the remaining two [[Hierarchs]] made the unilateral decision to reassign the Sangheili Honor Guards, replacing them instead with [[Jiralhanae]]. While the Hierarchs claimed that the [[Sangheili]] were no longer capable of protecting them, in reality, the [[Prophet of Truth]] had abandoned Regret to his fate, in order to solidify his control over the Covenant.<ref name="SI">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> 

The Changing of the Guard sparked outrage amongst the Elites, who viewed it as an insult to their people. The High Prophet of Truth took a dismissive approach to the early rumblings of discontent, deeming the event merely an "exchange of hats".{{Ref/Reuse|SI}} However, not only had the Hierarchs made the decision without consulting the [[High Council]], but the order itself was in flagrant violation of the [[Writ of Union]], the founding document of the Covenant. Subsequently, the Elites on the Council threatened to resign the entire Sangheili species from the Covenant. In response, the High Prophets declared the Sangheili to be [[Treason|traitors]] to the Covenant, and encouraged the other races to turn against their former commanders and remain loyal to the Prophets, igniting the civil war.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>

However, the High Prophets had not foreseen the support the Sangheili still had among much of the Covenant. Many [[Unggoy]] and [[Mgalekgolo]] continued to follow their Sangheili masters and joined [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]]'s [[Swords of Sanghelios]], and the conflict between them and the now Jiralhanae-led Covenant troops loyal to the Prophets began the [[Great Schism]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Uprising]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>

==Trivia==
"[[Wikipedia: Guard Mounting|Changing of the Guard]]" is a phrase used in modern-day Britain, as well as Commonwealth countries, signifying the changing between different shifts of guards who protect the royal family and government.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Honor Guard Ultra Helmet.jpg|A Sangheili Ultra passes his Honor Guard armor to a Jiralhanae.
File:H2A-SanctumEntrance.jpg|The Arbiter arrives at the Sanctum as a procession of Brutes arrive to assume their new Honor Guard rank from the Sangheili.
File:H2A - Arbiter and former guardsmen.jpg|Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadamee]] walks past two Honor Guards after they are stripped of their post.
File:H2A - Brute Guardsmen.jpg|A newly-appointed Brute Honor Guard stands at the ready.
File:H2A - Rtas with Truth.jpg|Commander [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] voices the Sangheili's condemnation of the Prophets' edict. 
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{Mo}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:History of the Covenant]]