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{{Era|Covenant|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Quote|The Writ of Union is written—it cannot be unwritten.|Early Covenant declaration<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''Excerpt''</ref>}}
 
The '''Writ of Union''' is the founding charter of, and an oath of service to, the [[Covenant]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]]''', ''Volume One''</ref> It was drafted as a peace treaty between the [[Reformist]] [[San'Shyuum]] and the [[Sangheili]] at the end of [[War of Beginnings|dogmatic conflict]] between the two species ([[938 BCE]] to [[852 BCE]]). The document was ratified by the [[Council of Concordance]], ushering in the [[Ages of Reconciliation|First Age of Reconciliation]].<ref name="Encyclopedia">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 30''</ref> The Writ is composed in the form of a rhyming poem.
The '''Writ of Union''' is the founding charter of, and an oath of service to, the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]]|Volume One}} It was drafted as a peace treaty between the [[Reformist]] [[San'Shyuum]] and the [[Sangheili]] at the end of [[War of Beginnings|dogmatic conflict]] between the two species ([[938 BCE]] to [[852 BCE]]). The document was ratified by the [[High Council of Concordance]], ushering in the [[Ages of Reconciliation|First Age of Reconciliation]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Encyclopedia|Enc09|Page=30}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Part of the defining union between the San'Shyuum and the Sangheili was the division of labor it created: the San'Shyuum would serve as the Covenant's religious leaders and scientists, studying Forerunner technology and seeking how to use the [[Halo Array]] to initiate the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]], which would propel the faithful to join the [[Forerunner]]s in a state of divine transcendence. In return for sharing this knowledge, the Sangheili would serve as the San'Shyuum's protectors and warriors, using weapons and technology developed by the San'Shyuum, and having total control over all security matters. As the Covenant expanded and incorporated other races, they were made soldiers under the Sangheili.
===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{{Ref/Reuse|contact}} while the San'Shyuum would be the religious and bureaucratic authority as the Prophets of the Forerunners.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=188}}


One of the terms of the union was the dissolution and reconstitution of the [[Ascetic]] guard into the newly made [[Ministry of Abnegation]].
One term stipulated the decommissioning of the ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' and setting it on its anointed altar in ''[[High Charity]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|bcchapt1}} Another term was the dissolution and reconstitution of the [[Ascetic]] guard into the newly made [[Ministry of Abnegation]].{{Ref/Book|Id=HEVG56|HEVG|Section=Elite Ascetic|Page=56}}


==The oath==
[[Sanghelios]] would be guaranteed by the Writ of Union massive imports of food and manufactured goods, in exchange for military service.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=228}}
The beginning of the Writ of Union is as follows:<ref name="contact">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 148''</ref><ref name="makingH2">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4l0sJqnIU8&feature=youtu.be&t=4m36s '''YouTube''': ''Cutting Room Floor Cinematics''] @4:36</ref>


{{Article Quote|So full of hate were our eyes
===Text===
The beginning of the Writ of Union is as follows:{{Ref/Novel|Id=contact|HCH|Chapter=9}}
 
{{Article quote|So full of hate were our eyes
:That none of us could see
:That none of us could see
Our war would yield countless dead
Our war would yield countless dead
Line 20: Line 23:
:Whilst we find the path}}
:Whilst we find the path}}


==Behind the scenes==
==History==
An unused stanza of the Writ of Union was present in an [[Early Halo 2 script|early script]] for ''Halo 2''. It is unclear whether this part of the Writ is canon.
===Post-War of Beginnings===
{{Quote|The Writ of Union is written—it cannot be unwritten.|Early Covenant declaration{{Ref/Novel|Id=bcchapt1|BC|Chapter=1}}}}
{{Main|Rending}}
{{Expand-section}}
 
==Production notes==
The beginning text of the Writ of Union was originally to appear in ''Halo 2''.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=makingH2|URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4l0sJqnIU8&feature=youtu.be&t=4m36s|Channel=Bungie|VideoName=Cutting Room Floor Cinematics|TimeStamp=4:36}} An unused stanza of the Writ of Union was present in an [[Early Halo 2 script|early script]] for ''Halo 2''. It is unclear whether this part of the Writ is canon.


{{Article Quote|On and on shall old war go,<br />Without respite my blood will flow<br />
{{Article quote|On and on shall old war go,<br />Without respite my blood will flow<br />
O’er your eyes ‘til they cannot see<br />The impossibility of victory.}}
O’er your eyes ‘til they cannot see<br />The impossibility of victory.}}


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*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Ideology]]
[[Category:Ideology]]

Latest revision as of 14:05, December 31, 2023

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 BCE to 852 BCE). The document was ratified by the High Council of Concordance, ushering in the First Age of Reconciliation.[2]

Overview[edit]

Terms[edit]

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[edit]

The beginning of the Writ of Union is as follows:[3]

“ So full of hate were our eyes
That none of us could see

Our war would yield countless dead

But never victory

So let us cast arms aside

And like discard our wrath

Thou, in faith, will keep us safe

Whilst we find the path
 ”

History[edit]

Post-War of Beginnings[edit]

"The Writ of Union is written—it cannot be unwritten."
— Early Covenant declaration[5]
Main article: Rending
Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Production notes[edit]

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
The impossibility of victory.

”

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume One
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 30
  3. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 9
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 188
  5. ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, chapter 1
  6. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide - Elite Ascetic, page 56
  7. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 228
  8. ^ YouTube - Bungie, Cutting Room Floor Cinematics
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