Angry merchants from Wayrest called their fellow Bretons to secede from the Alessian Empire circa 1E 2300, citing prejudice against elven heritage. They emphasized the increasing Imperial tithes to support their position.[1] High Rock formally reasserted its independence in 1E 2305 in response to the Alessian Order's excesses.[2] Despite resenting High Rock's secession from the Empire, the Alessian Order did not intervene until King Desynan of Skingrad and Queen Margert Gardner of Wayrest planned an arranged marriage between their children. Fearing a dynastic alliance between High Rock and Colovia, Arch-Prelate Zirnius who forbid the union, sent out his legions to punish the Colovians after Desynan circumvented Zirnius' ruling by appointing someone to officialize this marriage. The conflict was initially contained within the Colovian Estates, but it later shifted to Breton lands within the Iliac Bay.[3] The Legions of Piety and Grace were sent to Bangkorai under Abbot-General Priscus Mactator to suppress the Bretons, but the Imperials fell at the Bangkorai Garrison.[2] The Alessian Order's heavy losses in the west forced them to tax and conscript people from eastern Cyrodiil, causing angry Nibeneans to rebel and slay the Arch-Prelate and destroy the Order's great cathedral at Lake Canulus. With no leadership and income, the Alessians fighting in High Rock abandoned their invasion.[3] High Rock was independent once more, but the secession was not a clean break. The Alessian collapse struck the stubborn Bretons harder than the other races, as they had no unified governing structure. Warring fiefs would rage across the peninsula in the coming centuries, and pretender-kings attempted to assume control in place of the Alessians.[4] Additionally, the War of Righteousness halved the population of the Iliac Bay a second time.[5]