The Writ of Union is the founding charter of, and an oath of service to, the Covenant.[1] It was drafted as a peace treaty between the Reformist San'Shyuum and the Sangheili at the end of dogmatic conflict between the two species (938 BC to 852 BC). The document was ratified by the High Council of Concordance, ushering in the First Age of Reconciliation.[2]
Overview
Terms
The union codified the division of labor of the two species in the new alliance: the Sangheili would control the security matters of the Covenant and protect the San'Shyuum[3] while the San'Shyuum would be the religious and bureaucratic authority as the Prophets of the Forerunners.[4]
One term stipulated the decommissioning of the Anodyne Spirit and setting it on its anointed altar in High Charity.[5] Another term was the dissolution and reconstitution of the Ascetic guard into the newly made Ministry of Abnegation.[6]
Sanghelios would be guaranteed by the Writ of Union massive imports of food and manufactured goods, in exchange for military service.[7]
Text
The beginning of the Writ of Union is as follows:[3]
| “ | So full of hate were our eyes
Our war would yield countless dead
So let us cast arms aside
Thou, in faith, will keep us safe
|
” |
History
Post-War of Beginnings
- "The Writ of Union is written—it cannot be unwritten."
- — Early Covenant declaration[5]
- Main article: Rending
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Production notes
The beginning text of the Writ of Union was originally to appear in Halo 2.[8] An unused stanza of the Writ of Union was present in an early script for Halo 2. It is unclear whether this part of the Writ is canon.
| “ | On and on shall old war go, Without respite my blood will flow O’er your eyes ‘til they cannot see |
” |
List of appearances
- Halo 2 (First appearance)
- Halo: Contact Harvest
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- The Return (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Broken Circle
- Halo 2: Anniversary
- Halo 5: Guardians (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Shadows of Reach
- Sacrifice (Mentioned only)
Sources
- ^ Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume One
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 30
- ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 9
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 188
- ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, chapter 1
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide - Elite Ascetic, page 56
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 228
- ^ YouTube - Bungie, Cutting Room Floor Cinematics