The Modern History of Elwynn

The First Book of the Modern History of Elwynn covered the historical period from 1623 to 1633. Subsequent books would be commissioned for each decade that elapsed.

Background to the Work

The Modern History of Elwynn Project, begun in 1635, was commissioned by Thorgils Tarjeisson, the Dean of the Library of the People's Academy of Elwynn, following on from the collective success of the Academy in reconstructing the History of Elwynn written by Irijah Prosper Arturion, which had been feared lost after the Academician's fiery demise.

Preparation

A seminar to discuss the proposed project was held at the Hertug Haraldsmál College in Avaldsnes and marked the first instance of academic dialogue between a College in the Seven Ports and an Alalehzamini institution, in this instance the Adabistaan of Ardashirshahr. The result of which was the Orchid Declaration of the Lion & Boar, an invitation to all the Colleges of the Academy to contribute to work.

Following the declaration, a Grand Committee of twelve historians from each of the Twelve Peoples of Elwynn was convoked at the King's College in Eliria. It was agreed that the work would comprise of twelve chapters, each drafted by a sub-committee of twelve academics, drawn from each of the Twelve Peoples.

Work on the text would not commence until 1636 and the Dean of the Library exercised final editorial control, in consultation with representatives appointed by the each of the ethnic cabals sitting on the Grand Committee, over the final version authorised for publication.

Guiding Principles

The Dean of the Library directed that the Modern History of Elwynn was to be prepared in accordance with the so-called Arturion Principles:

• Sceptical enquiry;
• Political neutrality;
• Non-judgemental observation of cultural practices, particularly in regards to religions. For instance: "Umraists believe that abd Siraj Muniris ibn Nathir is the Final Prophet in their histiography of divine revelation" not "the blessed abd Siraj Muniris ibn Nathir (Hallowed be His Name) is the Final Prophet whose shining example leads the faithful on the True Path of the Righteous Umra"; or "A significant proportion of the worshippers of the deity known as the Divine Icebear believe that the Book of Ice contains the literal commandment to conduct holy war against those who practice other faiths. This view is disputed by those who believe that the Book of Ice was written during times of persecution and political uncertainty for the Cimmerian race when it was marginalised by both the Boreal and Babkhi ruling classes of Elwynn and that the literalist interpretation of the Book of Ice arose out of the political conflict between the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear and the Coordinated State of Elwynn.,