A Declaration of Independence

This declaration was one of the sparks that led to the Last War. 
When Eskain declared it would no longer be bound by the will of the Grand Council of the Human Kingdoms.

Purpose

The document laid out the general reasons why the king had decided to leave the Grand Council and rule itself on its own from that day forth.
It lay accusations at the feet of other kingdoms and charged the Grand Council with allowing the decline of the kingdoms as a whole and his own and the lives of his people in particular.
The king personally accused the Grand Council of conspiring to cover up the death of his father by assassination.

Document Structure

References

The declaration referenced the founding texts of the Grand Council and its purpose to serve the people of the human kingdoms.

Publication Status

It was publicly available and a copy sent to each town of Eskain to be read out daily for two weeks, as well as the Grand Council and the heads of each of the other kingdoms.

Legal status

Under the law of the Grand Council, any member state of the kingdoms could withdraw its participation but that they would swear upon withdrawal to respect the peace and purpose of the Grand Council. 
The Declaration specifically called out this withdrawal clause and refused to comply with it, stating that it had no legal power over Eskain to hold to it as it had left the purview of the council. This led to much heated debate and argument, with the High Justice of the High Council stating that the clause was binding.

Historical Details

Background

The article led to the dissolution of the Grand Council of the Human Kingdoms as they each fell into fighting and arguing with each other over the accusations of Eskain and the ramifications of the kingdom leaving the council. 
The councils split soon led to increased tensions between the kingdoms as trade and negotiation broke down and conflicts that had been bubbling away for two centuries soon raised up again. Eventually, this lead to a continent-wide war, later known as the Last War, that ended in the Calamity.

Type

Decree, Governmental

Medium

Vellum / Skin

Authoring Date

1021

Ratification Date

1022

Location

Eskain

Authors

• King Leyo Decaliver