The Great Schism (often nicknamed the Covenant Civil War or Endwar) was a galactic war which began as brief brauls between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae on Earth in October 2552. By November 2552, the Covenant split into three factions, the Covenant Loyalists under the leadership of the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, the Covenant Seperatists under the leadership of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and members which were neautral throughout the war. This war sparked the near extinction of the San 'Shyuum species, the destruction of High Charity, the dissolution of the Covenant. It also lead to the creation of the Sangheili Confederacy.