White - Gold Concordat The White - Gold Concordat was the official name given to the agreement signed that ended the Great War of the Fourth Era . Background . The Great War was fought between the human - dominated Tamrielic Empire and the Third Aldmeri Dominion comprised primarily of Altmer of the Summerset Isles . Although the exact cause ( s ) of the conflict aren ' t specified , the Elven Supremacist government , the Thalmor , as well as a few quotes throughout Skyrim suggest the Elves were the aggressors . The events of this occurred after the Oblivion Crisis ( the events of ) and before those of . The treaty was the only means to end the conflict for the Empire and heavily favors the Aldmeri Dominion , who would have otherwise fought on against the Empire . Among its legislation was the outlaw of the worship of Talos , disbandment of the Blades , and the right for the Thalmor to move throughout the Empire after the Empire didn ' t enforce the White - Gold Concordat , to hunt down both worshipers of this outlawed deity and any remaining Blades . Effects of the Concordat . The Concordat has caused a great deal of resentment in the Nordic population of Skyrim , who feel angered at the ban of Talos worship and dishonored at the Empire ' s signing of the treaty . The treaty , though its terms are very unfavorable to the Empire , was initiated by Emperor Titus Mede II and agreed to by the Aldmeri Dominion due largely to the outcome of the Battle of the Red Ring in 4E 175 , in which the Aldmeri army in Cyrodiil was completely destroyed by the Imperial army under Titus II . The Empire initiated the treaty knowing that , despite a temporary reversal in fortunes , the Aldmeri were in a position to eventually overwhelm the Empire - the Imperial army had suffered the loss of three entire Legions during the war ( one in the retreat from the Imperial City in the previous year and two more during the Battle of the Red Ring ) in addition to the surviving portion having lost over half its men . The Concordat ' s terms also included the cession by the Empire of a large portion of southern Hammerfell to the Aldmeri Dominion . Hammerfell , however , was unwilling to accept the loss of so much territory and continued to fight , forcing Titus II to officially release Hammerfell from status as an Imperial province in order to maintain the treaty , but not before allowing most of the legionnaires stationed in Hammerfell to be declared ' invalid ' , thus allowing them to continue fighting . The Redguard s were eventually able to fight the Aldmeri to a standstill , leading to the Second Treaty of Stros M ' kai in 4E 180 , as a result of the signing of this treaty the Aldmeri forces completely withdrew from Hammerfell . Southern Hammerfell was , after five years of continuous warfare , left in a devastated state , and Hammerfell remained an independent province . It has been claimed that the Aldmeri stipulated the cession of southern Hammerfell to intentionally further weaken the Empire , knowing that the Empire would be forced to release Hammerfell as a province and create Imperial resentment among the Redguards , many of whom see the release by the Empire as abandonment . Treaty Terms . Ultimatum Terms . A large tribute of gold would be paid to the Aldmeri Dominion , the Empire would give a large portion of southern Hammerfell to the Dominion , the worship of Talos would be banned from the empire , and the Blades would be forced to disband . This was the original demand of the Thalmor prior to the Great War , which was rejected by Titus Mede II . Concordat Terms . Despite the White - Gold Concordat being nearly identical to the ultimatum , Titus Mede II agreed to signing it . A large portion of southern Hammerfell would be given to the Dominion , Talos worship would be banned from the Empire , and the Blades were to be disbanded . The only part of the original ultimatum not present in the Concordat was the tribute of gold the Dominion initially demanded .