BALISET.

155

of known space travel called the

B
"guitar." Like it, the baliset consists of
a resonance chamber, neck, head,
strings, and tuning knobs. Like it, the
baliset can be slung from the shoulder
or around the neck by means of a strap.
BALISET. The embellishments on the baliset
This brief history of the baliset strap, however, usually display the
contained in-one crystal was player's station and origins rather than
undoubtedly written at the time of simple decoration as was the case with
Muad'Dib. Why Leto II chose to save it the guitar.
rather than other longer and more Since the time of Ahdn-Hahd,
detailed descriptions of baliset making who developed the techniques used to
is unknown. One possible explanation this day, the best balisets have been
might be that it was originally written made entirely of a fibrous resin called
either by Varota himself as a brief stimic. Fifty-seven sheets of the
popular summary of his life's work, or material are treated with heat, an
that it might have been contained in exacting process involving precision
some longer communication possibly timing. The sheets are exposed to one
written by Gurney Halleck. — Ed. hour of intense sunlight beginning
precisely at high noon for one hundred
consecutive days. The rays of the sun
strike the heart of the stimic at the
properly progressing angles,
guaranteeing lasting strength and
resonance. Varota on Chusuk, famed
baliset maker, was known to state that
carelessness or a mistake in this
process would destroy the tone quality
of the instrument.
At the end of the prescribed
time, indeed precisely at the end of the
final hour of exposure to the sun, the
treated sheets are placed over the
baliset master form, one by one. The
covered form is returned to the sunlight
where it remains until sundown.
Thereafter it is turned hourly, day and
The baliset is a portable nine- night, for forty days. The warming
stringed instrument played by an during daylight hours and the cooling
individual musician, usually a at night while Chusuk's three moons
troubadour or a member of the nobility. complete their circuit account for the
It is not unlike an ancient instrument gradual melding of the layers of stimic
popular on Old Terra at the beginning into an harmonious whole.
 BALISET. 156

Each manufacturer has a master dictates the tone quality of the string.
form on which the body is made. Rapid stretching produces a narrower,
Before the time of Ahdn-Hahd all more strident tone. Slow stretching
balisets were made of elacca wood, but results in a kinder sound. Another
the proclivity of that substance to consideration exists in the fact that the
translate any atonal music into semuta filaments cannot be cut to the required
music precluded its continued use. The length: it must be stretched to measure.
Butlerian Jihad and- its scrutiny of all If a particular filament is stretched too
machines and instruments of any kind far or not far enough, it must be
resulted in the prohibition of the use of discarded and the process begun again.
elacca wood in the construction of Each of the nine strings is
balisets. Not until generations later capable of producing pitches between
when Ahdn-Hahd began his work in those of its neighbors, including the
stimic were balisets made in highest note of its lower neighbor and
commercial quantities for sale. the lowest note of the next higher. The
Surviving elacca wood balisets strings are tuned in a seven-tone scale
typically serve as forms, kept under with no half-tones. Seven of the strings
tight security. are pitched in quarter intervals
The making of a baliset involves beginning with C. The pattern evolves
strict discipline and nearly mindless as follows: C-F-B-E-A-D-C. These
obedience. These attributes in the tones are equally tempered, ensuring
workers are crucial. The consummate fidelity of pitch and tone. The absence
artistry of a luthier such as Varota of half-tones makes equal temper
coordinates the efforts of his mandatory since even well-temper
apprentices and produces an instrument would destroy the characteristic
which is itself a work of art. harmonic factor. Strings 8 and 9 are
No matter how carefully the drones places at the side of the neck of
forming process has been carried out the instrument. They are essentially
some qualitative differences of tonal bass strings, and are set to the pitch
substance will exist in new baliset appropriate for the mode desired by
bodies. Through judicious buffing and adjusting the noter attached to the body
planning, the still-incomplete baliset is of the instrument. They are particularly
given its own individual sound responsive to the particular harmonics
characteristics. Beyond this the involved in the chord being played.
characteristics built into the body must This characteristic makes the baliset,
be honored by the qualities of the nine even the stimic baliset, so effective in
strings. A baliset of authoritative tone evoking semuta music. In effect the
would reseat gentle strings, just as atonal combination of pitches in
harsher strings on a more subdued semuta is given both support and
instrument would be an indignity. surrealistic intensity by the drones.
The strings themselves are The lower pitched strings are
produced by stretching long filaments wrapped in additional filaments with
of stravidium until the proper particular attention paid to the number
dimension is achieved. The speed with of wraps per millimeter. Each string is
which the filaments are stretched attached to the baliset at the foot by
 BARADYE PISTOL 157

twisting it smartly around tiny hooks infrequently on the road and heard
below the resonance aperture. At the rarely in town squares. The noble
head each string is wrapped around its families seem not to encourage young
own tuning knob. This accomplished, people to learn the intricacies of
the fledgling baliset has only to be fine- playing the baliset and few common
tuned and inscribed with the birthname folk can afford one. Word has come,
of the individual who commissioned it. however, that the birth town of Varota
This original tuning is of utmost on the planet Chusuk is planning an
importance because it informs the annual baliset festival in honor of the
strings of their particular mission and famous artist. Players from around the
ensures that only minor tuning galaxy are expected to attend, and
adjustments will be needed in the perhaps this event will spur interest in
future. the baliset again.
The lyre, lute, and zythra were Further references:
early ancestors of the baliset. Larger
x Ligallo, Taiazor;
x Halleck, Gurney;
instruments lost favor when space x E. B. Setro, Techniques of Instrument Making
exploration was young and space in the Reign of the Padishahs (Chusuk:

vehicles very limited in areas for

Salrejina);
x Anon., The Baliset, Rakis Ref. Cat.
storage. Perhaps the most successful
space traveler among instruments was BARADYE PISTOL
the crohm-vellar — a small, stringed
tambourine with the advantage of Usually found in a Fremen
clinging to space-suit material no Fremkit for survival in the desert on
matter what the effects of speed, or Arrakis, this gun was not an offensive
weightlessness. From these small weapon but rather a means for
beginnings the fardahggen and vintule measurement or signaling. Its primary
developed. Both of these were really purpose was to mark off a large area
small versions of the baliset, but both for dye which could be used in the
were overwhelmed with sometimes capture of sandworms, or to signal
three, or four drone strings, far too spice merchants approaching from the
many for the comparative crudity of the air. Unlike the maula pistol, this device
instruments. The baliset grew out of the used a static charge. Its invention,
colonization of space: communities however, is another testimony to
were established and planets settled. A sophistication of Fremen technology,
slightly larger instrument soon and their ability to make use of
developed. At the same time, this whatever materials were at hand.
instrument needed to be compact
Further references:
x Fremkit;
enough for individuals to take along on x Jarret Oslo, Fremen: Lives and Legend
any intra- or inter-planetary voyages. (Salusa Secundus: Morgan and Sharak).

The baliset grew out of expedience.

The future of the instrument is difficult BENE GESSERIT ARCHIVES
to predict. Scientists like Ahdn-Hahd In this and all entries drawn
and artists like Varota are discouraged from Bene Gesserit material, the
with the loss of apprentices applying to reader should keep in mind that B.G.
their studios. Troubadors are met institutions have politely but firmly
 BENE GESSERIT ARCHIVES 158

rejected invitations to join the Library contained sheets of transparent film

Confraternity. Collation of Rakis upon which are printed images of
material with B.G. material has "book" pages reduced to microscopic
proceeded, when allowed, subject to size so that an entire volume is often
restrictions imposed by their order (as contained on a single sheet. All of these
is, of course, their right). Nevertheless, records need magnifying machines to
the reader should weigh carefully all be read, but no such machinery seems
claims made in such entries. — Ed. to be present. The second level
The Archives (officially, the contains records from the Butlerian
Archivae), as distinct from the Bene Jihad through Leto II. Much of this
Gesserit Library and the Chronicles of level was opened for research, but
the Chapter House, is a private since most of the records were in Bene
collection of the Sisterhood's records, Gesserit codes, translation is done only
files, papers, and literary collections, so under R.M. Moiam's supervision. The
private that only a select group of first, and highest, level contains a
Reverend Mothers has access to it. The complex of reference rooms, a general
Archivae is located on Wallach IX, reading room, a series of work rooms,
under the main Chapter House building and twenty rooms of files. These files
in three levels of subterranean vaults. purportedly contain only records from
In order to enter the Archivae, one the time of the Starvation and the
must traverse a series of mazelike Scattering, but activity and continual
tunnels connected by shafts with lifts evidence of recent filing indicate that
— obviously once powered by these might be open files.
machinery but now traversed by one's The materials made available for
own muscles. In order to facilitate the research on level two were the Atreides
Dar-es-Balat research work, the Bene Collection, the Bene Gesserit Private
Gesserit has opened a portion of the Files containing agent, reports for the
Archivae to Ahna Judehic, linguistic period of Elrood DC through Leto II,
historian, whose work is associated and the official documents of the Bene
with that of R.M. Cassius Ida Treac. Gesserit from the Imperium era,
Supervising and directing the documents which the order regards as
translation work is R.M. Marcellus historical rather than active. The Bene
Irulan Moiam. Only those sections of Gesserit files and documents are
the Archivae containing documents primarily transcriptions from minimic
pertaining to the history of the Atreides film, shigawire, and imprints on
family and the more public aspects of ridulian crystals. The Agent files were
the history of the Sisterhood have been particularly interesting, with much
made available for study. information available through Bene
The three levels, each consisting Gesserits such as Anuril Corrino,
of thirty-three rooms, are arranged by Margot Fenring, R.M. Gaius Helen
subject matter and by chronology. The Mohiam, Irulan Atreides-Corrino, and
lowest level contains material collected Wensicia Corrino. There are also
before the Butlerian Jihad, some of it annual reports filed by Jessica Atreides,
supposedly of Terran origin. The files, ending abruptly in 10175, and
opened only briefly to the researchers, extensive reports, summaries, histories,
 BENE GESSERIT ARCHIVES 159

and evaluations (some four hundred The collection of poetry, found with
folios) by Irulan Atreides, including her The Commentaries, is anonymous but
famous breeding report, "The Atreides from the inscription techniques is
Problem." Reports are also available thought to be from the second or third
from the second and third millennia of century of Leto's reign. The
Leto's reign: The Chenoeh Reports, philosophical tone and the mournful
The Syaska Reports, The Anteac attitude support tentative affiliation
Reports, and The Moiam Reports, to with Leto himself, but the content of
name a few. As a generous courtesy, many of the poems makes such an
the Sisterhood has also opened the assumption highly controversial. A
Jehanne Butler collection to scholars second theory, rejected by some
specializing in the Butlerian Jihad. At stylistic analysts but supported by a
Judhic's request, R.M. Moiam has few linguistic analysts, is that the
opened the R.M. Gaius Helen Mohiam poems are by the Voices themselves
Collection. Her memoirs, reports, and 'were transcribed by Ghanima.
letters, and treatises are extensive, Supporting this theory is the stylistic
although incomplete, and seem correlation between the title poem and
uncensored, in sharp contrast to what is poetry found in the collection of R.M.
left of her papers in the Chronicles of Gaius Helen Mohiam's work.
the Chapter House". The two autobiographical or
Of particular interest in the biographical texts on Ghanima also
Atreides Collection are the following raise questions. The Book of Ghanima
documents: traditionally has been attributed to Leto
The Book of the Voices II, but now with the Commentaries to
The Collected Works of Paul Muad'Dib
The Preacher at Arrakeen
use as a reference point, some stylists
The Apocrypha of Muad'Dib contend that the early portion was
The Collected Works of Harq al-Ada written by Ghanima herself, the middle
The Commentaries to the Voices section by one of her daughters
Eulogy for an Ideal and Other Poems
The Other Half of the Universe (Elaine), and only the later, more
The Book of Ghanima melancholy portion by Leto in memory
The Irulan Collected Works of his sister/wife. The Other Half of the
The Welbeck Apologia Universe also causes controversy. It is
Although much of this material not listed in the Archivae reference
duplicates that of the Rakis Hoard, index, no other copy is recorded in any
there are some oddities and some known library collections, and none
discrepancies. The Commentaries to was found at Dar-es-Balat. A shigawire
the Voices, though similar to the Rakis voice-print, this haunting work is set in
copy, is not identical. The Archive the universal mind of Ghanima-Leto
copy contains an additional seventy-six but expresses a "minority" opinion of
crystals. Some of the additional crystals the Emperor's actions in the early
are political and philosophical formation of his power. Of particular
commentary concerning the Emperor interest are the sections highly critical
himself, some highly critical of him, of his Fish Speakers and Of their
and thus will prove useful to historians growing religion. Initially attributed to
if their authenticity can be ascertained. Leto as a devil's advocate argument
 BENE GESSERIT ARCHIVES 160

against his own policies, it is now notwithstanding, the documents within

tentatively attributed to Ghanima or to the Atreides Collection provide a
an early Duncan Idaho. The primary wealth of new information for
supporting argument for this theory is a historians and theologians alike.
stylistic analysis of word usage, The reference material offered
syntactical construction, and idiomatic for use on the first level, while not
expression as well as a voice-pattern dealing directly with the time of the
scan comparing this recording to Imperium, does open reference work in
Ghanima's voice pattern in The Book of the area of Bene Gesserit history and
the Voices. A counter argument is that governance through this period. No
Leto held Ghanima's voice in his material pertaining to Bene Gesserit
memory-lives after her death (which matters after Leto II or to the modern
leads to a different theological or Sisterhood; is available. For example,
logical argument). Another argument the Canons with j which R.M. Treac
against Leto's authorship is the and Judehic are working; are ancient
placement of the only extant copy and incomplete, allowing an inference
hidden in the Bene Gesserit Archivae that the modern Canons are not
— how would the order come into included. Of historical interest is The
possession of such a recording if it Annotated Variorum Edition of the
were Leto's voice? A third theory is Founding Legends, a twenty-volume
that the shigawire is a Bene Gesserit compendium of letters, reports,
propaganda ploy that was never' used, a treatises, and myths transcribed in 402
weapon to be used against Leto after B.G. from the ancient, third-level files
Ghanima's death. The proof to this (presumably using appropriate
argument is lacking. transcription machinery no longer in
Finally, The Welbeck Apologia existence). The six-volume Legends
opens ah interesting political history available in the Chronicles of the
debate. This manuscript appears to be Chapter House are selections from this
the original of the "Welbeck Fragment" private collection. More mundane, and
found at Dar-es-Balat, a dialogue more trustworthy, are the Bene Gesserit
between Moneo and Siona. The Papers of Incorporation, detailing the
Apologia might well be a piece of development of the chapter house
propaganda written by Leto himself. In system, the General Chapter House
the same file with the Apologia is a Listings, and the Annual Chapter
monologue of Bene Gesserit House and the Annual Mother House
authorship, The Captivity of Siona, Reports, which include roll calls and
apparently distributed after the public budgets. Also in this reference section
release of the Apologia in order to are the indices to the Bene Gesserit
counter Leto's persuasiveness. Though Private Papers, giving the researchers
the dating of these manuscripts is access to the Legislative, Judicial, and
difficult, the Captivity may have been Executive files for the Imperium
distributed in 13723, a year when Bene period. The files were not opened, but
Gesserit records show a severe the researchers were allowed to request
reduction in its annual allotment of particular entries. Other documents
melange. But controversy useful in understanding the structure of
 BENE GESSERIT ARCHIVES 161

the ancient order are the Ordines the Voices. This collection of shigawire
Matrium, which delineates the rank voice-pattern recordings was made by
order of the Sisterhood and the Ghanima as she let the Voices of her
Compendium Matres, which is a memory lives speak through her. Over
chronological list of Reverend Mothers 2,400 voices have been discriminated
from the Great Revolt through Leto II. thus, far, some speaking in languages
The final historical document offered which may never be translated, for
for use is the Credo — a chronological some Terran languages were apparently
collection of creeds used by the order never incorporated into Galach. The
from its inception to the time of the Bene Gesserit itself has teams of
Scattering. This volume is particularly specialists in ancient languages
intriguing because through it can be working on translations. Ghanima's
seen the psychological evolution of the project took her over two hundred
Sisterhood. Two files were offered only years of patient work, and it seems to
for cursory inspection: The Summa and be her major contribution to Leto's
The Mikkro-Fishedotte. The Summa library. That the voices are genuine is
fills three rooms, floor to ceiling, in probable, such an extensive forgery
twenty-meter racks, twelve to a room. being an almost prohibitive task.
This enormous holding is the complete Positive comparisons of the Book of
breeding index of the Sisterhood, and Voices patterns of Lady Jessica, Paul
from what little could be seen, it Muad'Dib, R.M. Gaius Helen Mohiam,
appears to stretch back to the Golden and Lady Anuril with authentic
Age of Terra. The Sisterhood claims shigawires of their voices appear to
that the index begins in the early dawn support the validity of the collection.
of humanity, but no proof was offered. Much of the work done so far on The
The Breeding Index available to the Book. of Voices has been supervised by
general Sisterhood in the Chronicles is Anna Judehic with the help of
a selected one, showing only the anthropolinguist Maro Ghappato and
breeding from the past which psycho-mythologist Mees
developed the kwisatz haderachs and Pentamettare.
the lineage of the Matres Executrice. Also of interest to historians is
The Mikkro-Fishedotte is the complete The Welbeck Assessment, the annual
family-line mating chart which Bene Gesserit overview of the state of
originated, supposedly, in complicated the Imperium. The only form of this
Terran aristocratic breeding lines. compendium previously available was
There is an abbreviated Mating Index The Welbeck Abridgement available m
in the Chronicles for general use, but the Chronicles reference section. R.M.
the Mikkro-Fishedotte itself fills two Moiam has opened the Welbeck room
rooms. In general, the difference containing the volumes from Shaddam
between the Summa and the Mikkro- IV through Leto II for study.
Fishedotte is that the first is strictly Judehic and R.M. Treac were
genetic while the second appears to be shown the Azhar Book Index and the
political. Panoplia Propheticus Index, but they
Of most interest to ancient were not allowed access to the
historians is the controversial Book of holdings. Since the Azhar Book is
 BENE GESSERIT CHAPTER HOUSE 162

contained in three, rooms and the Further references:

Panoplia Propheticus fills two rooms,
x B.G. library;
x B.G. history;
obviously the volumes in the Library's x Maro Ghappato, Miraculous Voices at Rakis
General Collection are merely (Diana: Synonym).

selections from the original. The Azhar

Book Index shows entries through the BENE GESSERIT CHAPTER
Holy Church, into present theology, HOUSE
indicating that rather than being a The Bene Gesserit Chapter
historical document, this is an open- House on Wallach IX is all that
ended collection. And though the remains of a once extensive network of
Missionaria Protectiva was supposed to twelve chapter houses, multiple branch
have ended long before the Atreides' sisterhouses, and a complete
time, the Panoplia Propheticus Index educational system. This network was
indicates that it too is an open-ended, governed by the Mother House on
current collection. Hadi Benotto, Wallach IX and functioned from
Director of the Dar-es-Balat Project, centuries before the Butlerian Jihad
has requested that both collections be until the reign of Leto II. General
opened for research. Judehic noted the information found in the Chapter
curiosity that the Tleilaxu Godbuk House Library, for example, The
Index was with the other two indices — Founding Legends and specialized
a strange association since the Bene material from the Bene Gesserit
Gesserit Library has this item included Archives (transmitted through
in its Xenocultural Collection. When Reverend Mother Cassius Ida Treac,
questioned about this idiosyncrasy, Director of Educational Analysis for
R.M. Moiam refused comment. the Archives), describes Bene Gesserit
Finally, in the Research Section facilities on all of the House Major
is a Medical Index which lists worlds and on some House Minor
intriguing entries such as The Medical worlds. This empire-wide institution
Aspects of Melange Rejection; Cellular flourished until Leto confiscated the
Activation and Regeneration; Cellular goods and property of all the chapter
Restructuring: The Cases of Duncan houses except the one on Wallach DC
Idaho and' Hwi Noree; and Cellular and then closed the Mother House
Interchange: Leto II. Benotto. has also itself.
requested that bio-medical engineers be The Founding Legends as well as
allowed access to this material. the Papers of Incorporation indicates
The Bene Gesserit Archivae that the initial Bene Gesserit complex
holds the secrets of all of our pasts. If was located on Wallach DC. The planet
the order can be persuaded to open its itself originally was colonized by an
resources to academic scholarship, our early form of the Sisterhood connected
culture could benefit from its own past. in some obscure way with the agency
We could more easily discriminate responsible for the planet-seeding
between what we now think of as myth enterprise. Apparently the initial
and what is actually history. facilities housed no more than 12,000
J.A.C. people and accommodated a small
space flight station, a record-holding
 BENE GESSERIT CHAPTER HOUSE 163

facility, a thought-machine complex, have made an annotated compilation of

training schools for mytho- the Imperium era records saved from
expansionists (an early version of the the twelve chapter houses, The Roots of
Missionaria Protectiva?), cultural Tomorrow, a free mixture of legend
ecologists, environmental and historical data. This work,
socioplanners, and anthropolinguists. however, is the most complete
The remnants of information from this summary available at present of the
period also indicate that men lived and Bene Gesserit Archives source
worked on Wallach IX with the Sisters material. From The Roots of Tomorrow
and lay women. Within three hundred we can at least determine the locations
years the order had become large and of the original chapter houses, some of
powerful enough to form branch which still function, but as universities.
chapter houses and schools on six Apparently a chapter house
worlds, Kornos being one of them. contained administrative offices both
Four thousand years before the for the Bene Gesserit chapter and for
Butlerian Jihad, Bene Gesserit the school attached to it. In each
administration needed new facilities: chapter house, female off-spring of
executive, legislative, judicial, and Sisterhood breeders, unaffiliated with
ambassadorial offices, meeting rooms, Houses Major or Minor, were cared for
and residential apartments. Thus the from birth in a special Kinder House.
original buildings on Wallach IX were Also attached to the chapter house was
given over to the Chapter House and a primary school which educated both
school while a new city-like complex Bene Gesserit children and females
was developed as a Mother House. from upper-class families. The attached
Some of the newly discovered schools of higher education offered
underground facilities on Wallach IX secondary level instruction to both
may have been part of the Mother groups of females as well as university
House complex. By the time of the instruction to Bene Gesserit Sisters.
Butlerian Jihad, the Sisterhood had From what can be deduced from the
established all of its outlying eleven Ordines Matrium and from recent
chapter houses as well as most of its archaeological investigations, some of
eight hundred school systems, only a the chapter houses also supported
few of which were openly attached to special schools to train Bene Gesserit
the order. women in order-designated
The most complete records professions.
available date from the founding of the The chapter house on Wallach
Imperium. Unfortunately, even they IX was designated as the center for
seem to have suffered in the period of theological and philosophical training,
devastation wreaked on the Sisterhood not only having the principal
by Leto II (best described in The Missionaria Protectiva school but also
Razing of the Houses, written by R.M. having the principal dar al-hikman.
Brutus Phyllis Tiamat in 10575, B.G. University records and archaeological
Private Papers, Folio 2583765). R.M. explorations also indicate that the
Treac and the linguistic historian Ahna University of Wallach is the
Judehic (Bene Gesserit, Hidden Rank) descendant of the Bene Gesserit
 BENE GESSERIT CHAPTER HOUSE 164

university which contained the main Victorious. The Kaitain records date its
reference library. The recently chapter house origin to approximately
uncovered remains of a separate the same time House Corrino moved its
complex of buildings combining court to that planet. Perhaps
hospital and nursery facilities are archaeological work beginning on
probably the original Kinder House Kaitain will support the Archive
units, perhaps the same ones spoken of material. The verification of a chapter
by Reverend Mother Gaius Helen house on Salusa Secundus will be more
Mohiam in her memoirs. The recent difficult since all requests to do
dig has also revealed a large archaeological surveys have been
subterranean room — a domed, circular denied.
ceremonial hall with carvings of the Discovery of a chapter house on
Horned Goddess and her retinue on the Grumman, one devoted to martial arts
walls and inscriptions of karama from training, has led specialists in the
the Azhar Book set in a multicolored Ginaz/Moritani Feud history to
tile floor. Present theory denotes this as speculate on the relationship of the
the Hall of Ritual spoken of in early Bene Gesserit to the early development
Bene Gesserit legends. From what can of weaponry expertise in both Houses.
be seen, the Wallach facilities were Harq al-Harba in The History of Duke
obviously extensive, befitting the Leto, Part I, refers to the "weirding
center of a complicated organization. conspiracy" and to the "women whose
New archaeological work on what swords bear two edges" as chief
appears to be the Mother House proponents of the Assassin Conspiracy.
complex will give us more precise Until the discovery of the martial arts
information on the early Wallach IX school and chapter house on Grumman,
facilities. critics had accepted this reference as
Apparently the Bene Gesserit one of al-Harba's mythic allusions.
school on Kaitain is all that remains of Perhaps his information was taken
a chapter house dedicated to the from the copy of Geoffroi's At Center
education of House Major children. Stage: The Ill-Fated House Ginaz
Records indicate that this chapter house found in his private library, or it may
also trained breeders designated for have been that the Grumman chapter
marriage within the aristocratic house was still remembered in his time.
families. Enrollment records for Records are less complete on the
Kaitain found in the Archives read like chapter houses on Yorba, Chusuk, and
an Imperial family tree. R.M. Treac has Ciemahn Banqs, mentioned only in The
translated fragments of these ancient General Chapter House Listings (Bene
documents, finding references to an Gesserit Archives). The Listings show
earlier chapter house on Salusa that Chusuk was the smallest of the
Secundus, apparently open during the three, perhaps because its primary
Fremen captivity on that planet.' Some concern was music and the arts, areas
connection may exist between that never very important in the Sisterhood
chapter house and the women curriculum. The Yorba chapter house
mentioned both in Aramsham's The appears to have thrived as the center
Sardaukar Strike and Sardaukar for business administration education
 BENE GESSERIT CHAPTER HOUSE 165

and for the accounting services which order on these planets. The school on
handled the revenue statements for all Ix descends from the original Primary
the chapter houses off Wallach IX. The Research and Genetic Science Institute
Listings show that the MBA degree, established there after the Great Revolt;
Mother of Business Administration, however, until the recent studies began,
was awarded for over four hundred this school had never been connected
years, with an average of five hundred with the Bene Gesserit. Paquita's
recipients each academic year. school, on the other hand, has always
Obviously business, economics, and been known as a Bene Gesserit
accounting were given higher priorities institution specializing in history and
by the order than were the arts. The linguistics. Anthropoecologists are
Listing also gives some information on presently studying the well-preserved
Ciemahn Banqs, but no indication of chapter house there to learn more about
the specialty of this chapter house. The the physical structure of that complex.
graduate school was called the School Finally, the Center for the Study of
of Biological and Social Sciences, but Ecological and Behavioral Sciences on
all specific information about degree Bela Tegeuse also retains some, of its
requirements and professional training original Bene Gesserit facilities.
remains censored, sealed in the Though this planet's rugged
Archives. There is, however, an environment and legendary connection
indication that a part of the graduate with the Zensunni Wanderers have
library and entire files of research work given it a place in our mythology, only
were transferred to Ix before the recently have the Bene Gesserit
Ciemahn Banqs chapter house was actually been identified with its history.
destroyed. The Ixian Institute will not Mytho-historians are now debating the
make "any of these records available to possibility of an early Zensunni
us. This lack of information is encounter with the Sisterhood, before
unfortunate because of the Ciemahn the one theorized in the Missionaria
Banqs razing. We may never know Protectiva investigations. Experts now
why Leto's orders for this chapter speculate that the ancient
house were particularly severe, the interrelationship of the Bene Gesserit
resulting destruction being so complete and the Fremen Motherhood might be
that even aeronautical landform genetic as well as theological.
surveys show no trace of the buildings' The chapter house on Gamont
foundations. apparently specialized in training
The chapter houses on Ix, breeders designated as concubines for
Paquita, and Bela Tegeuse are far less the Houses Major and Minor.
difficult to study since the present Residency records for the chapter
academic institutions on these planets house found in the Archives indicate
are housed in the original chapter house the Bene Gesserit of all ranks
buildings. For some unknown reason, frequently returned here for specialized
when Leto ordered the physical training in new techniques and for
destruction of the other chapter houses, refresher courses. Some of the Gamont
he spared these, being satisfied to training programs and manuals were in
confiscate the property and disband the a sealed section of the Archives,
 BENE GESSERIT GOVERNANCE 166

indicating their value to the order. The Interestingly enough, though, Tleilax is
accommodations listed for this chapter one of the few worlds to still have folk
house differ from the norm in having myths current among its population
an extensive series of cottages, a men's about "weirding women," "assassins,"
residency hall, entertainment centers, and "twisted mentats," leading
and health club facilities, indicating linguistic mythologists to believe that
that Gamont might also have served as the Bene Gesserit has been active there
a Rest and Rehabilitation center for the at some time in the planet's history.
order and that training there was Local tales are told of witches and
probably more practical ten theoretical. sorceresses who practice their skills in
Information concerning the last the villages, and other tales associate
two chapter houses is limited. The the Tleilaxu face dancers with
Giedi Prime chapter house apparently "weirding women." When contacted
was the center for classified Bene about these tales, Bene Gesserit
Gesserit activities, the files holding historians connect these myths with
these records still being kept under those seeded by the Missionaria
heavy security and unavailable to us. Protectiva. Furthermore, Bene Gesserit
Historians have traditionally ascribed Administrators on Wallach IX
the violent destruction of Sisterhood expressed surprise that such a notion
facilities and the brutality associated would be considered, stating
with it to Leto's deep hatred of the emphatically that no association
Harkonnens. Peripheral material found between the Sisterhood and the Face
in the Bene Gesserit Legislative files, Dancers has ever existed.
however, indicates that the main J.A.C.
training of the Giedi Prime chapter Further references:
house was espionage. On this planet,
x B.G. history;
x R.M. Brutus Phyllis Tiamat, The Razing of
survey work has located and opened an the Houses, tr. Zhaiva Gan, B.G. Foundation
extensive camouflaged and reinforced Studies 8 (Diana: Tevis);

underground maze of what appears to

x R.M. Cassius Ida Treac and Ahna Judehic,
The Roots of Tomorrow {Wallach: Soror).
be an entire school, living quarters and
all. Some problems have arisen with BENE GESSERIT GOVERNANCE
local authorities, though, who claim the
underground buildings are part of old The rules of governance of the
Harkonnen fortifications and thus are Bene Gesserit are given in The Bene
protected from off-world researchers Gesserit Canons. Though the Bene
under the Giedi Prime Act for Gesserit, during the empire, projected a
Historical Preservation of National public image of being a religious
Monuments. Litigation has begun, but service order, the Canons detail an
all further research work has been organizational structure more
halted. Of the final chapter house, appropriate for an empire-wide
supposedly located on Tleilax, very corporation than for a mendicant order.
little beyond the records in the Listings From the Canons' ratification date (303
is known. No school survives there, BG) it appears that the order underwent
and the Bene Gesserit claims to have extreme structural reorganization
no current contacts on the planet. following the Butlerian Jihad.
 BENE GESSERIT GOVERNANCE 167

Historical appendices to the Canons involved in CHOAM dealings. Only in

indicate that the order, prior to the the reign of Leto II do these records
Butlerian Jihad, was a loosely show financial distress, particularly
structured confederation of chapter after he had confiscated most of tile
houses. The Canons set forth a well- holdings of the order and some Of the
defined system of governance wealth of individual Reverend
incorporating ancient republican Mothers. At this point, the legislature
political theory and a tripartite appears to have become dependent on
matriarchal directorate. The governing revenue derived from the schools now
bodies, composed of regular members open to the general public.
of the Sisterhood and Reverend The executive branch consisted
Mothers, functioned efficiently until of a General Council of thirteen
Leto II dissolved eleven of the twelve Reverend Mothers. Ten of these
chapter houses in 10573. The Canons women, the Matres Felicissimae, were
show a governance structure composed elected by the Proctors General and the
of an executive, a legislative, and a Proctors Superior from Reverend
judicial branch, all intricately related. Mothers in these ranks. The other three
The general legislature was composed members of the Council, the Matres
of two houses: the House of Sisters and Executrice, held hereditary positions,
the House of Mothers. Each house was supposedly in direct descent from the
composed of thirty-three women, the three Controlling Mothers directing the
House of Sisters elected from the order Bene Gesserit prior to the Great Revolt:
at large and the House of Mothers Mother Glenna Riche, Mother
elected by and from the Reverend Sabhaatha Moyiam, and Mother Shanni
Mothers — twelve from chapter bin Aqid. The Council met regularly to
houses, twelve from schools, and nine consider and ratify motions from the
from the Reverend Mothers at large. legislature. In the ratification process
The legislature drew up the budget, the Matres Felicissimae, with majority
determined general policy for the order, consent, held a general veto, but this
and taxed the Sisterhood using a veto could be overturned by the Matres
system called the "tithe." Although the Executrice, who also held individual
property of the order (chapter houses, vetoes on any action. If the Mattes
Mother house, and schools) was owned Executrice found severe disunity
by the Sisterhood, individual Bene among themselves during a ratification
Gesserits could possess private process, they were privileged to
property and income. The records show adjourn to executive session, allowing
quite wealthy Reverend Mothers, and privacy in which to resolve their
in some cases, those of Hidden Rank differences.
were among the wealthiest people in The five Matres Aequus of the
the empire. Thus the legislature had an Judiciary Council were appointed for
interesting source of revenue to tax. life by the Matres Executrice from
The Treasury records (B.G. File nos. members of the Mater Superior rank.
F22077547 — F9563872) also indicate The Judiciary Council had quarters
that both the order and some individual within the Mother House on Wallach
Sisters and Reverend Mothers were IX, as did the members of the General
 BENE GESSERIT GOVERNANCE 168

Council. The Matres Aequus were as a participant in the "Waters of Life"

housed in the Judiciary Wing, which cycle. Records show a ruling of a later
held their apartments, residential Judiciary Council which found Leto II
accommodations for their staff, their guilty of bestiality in the 250th year of
offices, the Canonical Library, and the his reign. From later notations, it
Great Court. Great Court sessions appears that this decision was never
occurred three times a year for three made public. Actually, none of the
weeks per session. The Sisterhood work of the Judiciary Council seems to
maintained a subsidiary system of local have affected history in any significant
courts within the outlying eleven way, but the files add notes of
chapter houses to deal with minor historical oddity.
infractions of canonical law. Appeals The Executive Council itself met
of the minor court judgments were held only when the Judiciary Council and
quarterly, with single Matres Aequus the legislature were in session. The
presiding on a rotational basis. A case Matres Executrice, however, were in
concerning major canonical infractions residence at the Mother House and
was heard by the Judiciary Council were in perpetual session. From all the
itself, with the Matres Executrice in information available, it appears that
attendance. The Matres Executrice these three women, for all practical
served as an appeals court for decisions purposes, ran the Sisterhood with the
made by the Judiciary Council, and no aid of their Familia, a "kitchen cabinet"
decision of the Judiciary Council was described in the Familia Manual, From
final until approved by the Matres the following positions listed as
Executrice. permanent Familia offices, one can
The Bene Gesserit Judiciary understand fee ramifications of this
Files show decisions of interest to executive system:
historians concerned with the God Faecatrix Arboris — in charge of the
Emperor period. In 10177 the Judiciary breeding index
Mater Cogita Vera — in charge of the
Council found the Lady Jessica guilty truthsayers
of violating pellex instructions, in Mater Ambakhtaz — in charge of the
conceiving a male rather than a female ambassadorial service and the embassies
Mater Pecuniam Collocate — in charge of
from the Atreides line. In 10192, the investment portfolios (also, usually the
however, the punishment cited by the chief negotiator with CHOAM)
Council was negated at the request of a Mater Praefecta Aerariae — in charge of the
Mater Executrix (who, according to finances
Procuratrix — in charge of concubinage and
evidence from encoded files and from arranged marriages
The Book of Voices, might have been Speculatrix — in charge of the espionage
the mysterious R.M. Gaius Helen system
Mohiam). In 10211 the Judiciary Docitrix Vocis — in charge of Voice use in
political situations, also use of "sealed tongue"
Council, this time with the complete commands and "embedded" commands
support of the Mattes Executrice, found Mater Salsa — in charge of the melange
Alia of the Knife to be an supply and procurement
Recordato Vitae — in charge of the
"Abomination to be Abhorred." The Reverend Mother memory transference records
Council threatened severe punishment Mater Magna — in charge of the Mother
for any Bene Gesserit who accepted her House
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 169

Mater Minima — in charge of the chapter these canons were used to run what
houses
remained of the Sisterhood during the
The officers of the Familia Scattering and the Starvation. The
reported directly to and received orders auxiliary canons detail a loosely
directly from the Matres Executrice. structured Council of Proctors General
The Familia apparently functioned and Proctors Superior who handled
efficiently for millennia until Leto II, in policy and judiciary matters as well as
11295, dissolved the Mother House. basic governance. Unfortunately many
This was the final of three actions he of the records and documents of this
took to cripple the political activities of period are fragmented and in disarray.
the Bene Gesserit — the first being his It does appear, though, that some
seizure of the breeding indices in, the governance was maintained through the
second year of his reign and the second school system still left to the
action being his closure of all chapter Sisterhood. Whether or not there is any
houses except the one on Wallach IX in connection between the governance of
10573. the historic Bene Gesserit and that of
Through Leto's reign, the order the modem order is impossible to
functioned primarily within its schools. ascertain because the documents
The closure of all but three of its pertaining to the modern order are, not
embassies and Leto's refusal to allow a available to us. Rumors claim the
permanent Bene Gesserit embassy on Matres Executrice line still functions,
Arrakis severely limited its overt but the portion of the Archives holding
political activities. Notations in the current canons is sealed; thus, the
legislative files from the final twelve records which could support or deny
hundred years of Leto's empire show a the stories are unavailable.
drastic reduction in the membership.
J.A.C.
Reverend Mothers, once numbering in Further references:
the thousands, were fewer than three x B.G. ranks;
hundred during any five-year period at x B.G. history.

the end of the empire. With

membership decreasing, responsibility BENE GESSERIT HISTORY
for governance was no longer limited Discoveries in the Rakis Hoard,
to an elite group. Rattier than becoming particularly in shigawire tapes of Our
specialists, Reverend Mothers had to Lady and Mother Ghanima's Book of
become generalists. For example, the the Voices, present a possible Bene
Welbeck Abridgement of the annual Gesserit history which sketches back
empire assessments shows that by into Terran prehistory. To those trained
13500 Reverend Mothers sent on in Bene Gesserit institutions, the varied
ambassadorial missions also had to and ancient traditions of the order
serve as emissariae espion and described in these tapes prove
CHOAM negotiators. fascinating, both professionally and
By this late period of Leto's personally.
empire, the Bene Gesserit had formed
auxiliary canons for emergency
governance situations. Apparently
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 170

ANCIENT TERRAN HISTORY breed an active male strain to regain

Apparently, the order which complete memory and consciousness.
became known as the Bene Gesserit Ghappato conjectures that the
originated in the rituals of a Terran culture was matriarchal for millennia,
group which migrated from the central dominated by the active-trait females
plains of a major land mass, east and who controlled their society through
south around a sea through areas various Mother Goddess religious
remembered by the Voices as Harappa structures supporting both breeding
and Mesopotamia, carrying with it the program with detailed mnemonic
genetic capacity for group records, and an extensive training and
consciousness within the family type. indoctrination program for active
The Voices report that after millennia females. Both programs were
of migration the males eventually lost embedded within primary religio-
group consciousness abilities, but political structures, and both were
continued to carry latent genes for the disseminated through tribal migration
trait Anthropolinguist Maro Ghappato and interracial marriage, eventually
of the University of Paquita theorizes dominating two continents. Voice
that the male latency was caused by Inanna describes rituals perpetuating
psychological repression, since the desire for the whole and rituals
evidence indicates the trait was giving a tantalizing past through the
dominant. Ghappato, in Miraculous memories of active females. Voice
Voices at Raids, states that males, Inanna shows the active females'
primary defenders of the culture, were attitude toward death in an axiom still
unable to function efficiently in battle found in Bene Gesserit texts: "Do not
when they could feel the immediate count a human dead until you've seen
pain of their wounded or captured the body. And even then you can make
companions. Ghappato also supports a mistake." This belief in universal
the validity of Voice reports that the consciousness through transferred
men's conscious participation in birth memory was incorporated into Terran
pangs tended to produce impotence, mythos through the idioms of demonic
thus preventing the reproduction of possession and reincarnation.
male bearers with dominant active Voice Inanna also reports the
genes. establishment of archives, one in a
As the number of women in place named Nippur, for records of the
whom the trait remained active also breeding lines and of the mythos
decreased, the family group developed dissemination. These locations also
rituals, traditions and eventually became training centers for gene
religious structures to perpetuate the carriers sent into new territories as
memory of group consciousness. ambassadors, historians, scribes,
Gradually, a serious problem arose: the educators, and concubines, and later
active females only retained the became schools for aristocracy of both
memories of past active females, thus sexes. This Voice also speaks of a
losing half the personal history of the relatively new doctrine just becoming
family. Thus was born the desire to established in her unit, the doctrine that
an activated male consciousness would
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 171

be able to understand the future as well the Motherhood the sybils formed a
as the past. The doctrine was difficult network which tied together all the
to disseminate because it openly major political powers north and south
challenged the older "permanence" of the Great Sea. Voice Euanthes also
doctrine of a Goddess- or God-directed gives the details of memory
fate. She recounts that some tribes used transference techniques used by the
a son/husband resurrection figure, Mothers, but the Order has confiscated
"saved" by the mother/wife, mythic this portion of the tape, prohibiting its
figures she calls Au Set and Au Sar. translation for academic use.
Ghappato notes that the matriarchal We do retain the portion of tape,
group's interaction with various however, in which Voice Euanthes
patriarchal religions produced political describes the ritualistic use of a mate
and religious traditions as widely savior. In all the tribes the Mothers
diverse as the harem system, licensed longingly proclaimed this savior as a
and religious promiscuity of women, superhero who would "shorten the
tightly censored sexual activities, and way" to a release from "silence" or
religious inhibitions against association "bondage" through "redemption,"
with menstruating women. "rebirth," or "rejuvenation," whichever
A later Voice, Euanthes, terms were appropriate to the specific
discusses the structure through which mythos at hand. Using a male savior
the breeding program and the training accomplished two objectives:
program were continued over these protection for pregnant women, even
millennia of tribal dispersion. those who were foreign or "odd"; and
According to her, the gene-carriers provision of a cultural reminder of a
were trained through tribal units, but "better" past, of a history which held a
the units were controlled by an different and preferable tribal
intertribal group called The Mothers. consciousness. Within their own order,
Within each tribe, the leading gene- the Mothers developed their own desire
carrier was designated the Great for the power gained from a savior who
Mother, who represented the tribe in could understand the future. In some
the intertribal group while retaining southern tribes, the term applied to this
power over her own local unit. The savior appears to have been Hdarak
Mother title was hereditary, but used (meaning "to last, or to be
openly only in the few remaining everlasting"), a term which Ghappato
matriarchal power structures. Within links to the Bene Gesserit term Kwisatz
patriarchies, the Mothers became a Haderach.
secret order, married to aristocratic
leaders and usually having as their THE BENE GESSERAT
Great Mother the wife or mother of the From Voice Vanghu comes the
tribal leader. Only some of the account of a near savior in her era, a
Mothers, of all the gene-carriers, man from northeast of the Great Sea,
retained group consciousness, tribal the result of twelve centuries of careful
memories, and perhaps limited breeding. He conquered much of the
prescience. Through these "sybils" the territory surrounding the Great Sea,
"gods" spoke to then- culture, and to reuniting gene-carriers separated for
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 172

centuries. During his empire, a great consciousness within selected men as

library was established, staffed by well as within women. Though Voice
southern women trained for mnemonic Claudia's nation enslaved the new-
breeding-chart retrieval. These women found unit, their bloodlines' were
integrated the lost charts into their own, introduced into the breeding charts.
forming the tradition which later From what Voice Claudia explains of
became the Bene Gesserit Summa. the Bene Gesserat's intricate political
When the empire collapsed with the and educational structures, it is
death of its emperor, communication understandable that they would
survived among a core of Mothers, dominate the more loosely structured
who continued to direct the coalition of gene bearers.
reestablished breeding charts. This core Voice Claudia also describes the
was eventually directed by a unit from history of a potential, and probable,
a northwestern territory, a unit active-trait male in her territory. He
originally outside of the coalition but a declared himself a living god-emperor,
part of the power structure which and through marriage to Bene Gesserat
would later dominate the same Livia produced several generations of
geographical area. Voice Cornelia tells active-trait males. One appears to have
of what must be the prototype Bene been the first known Abomination, a
Gesserit group. She cites the political man who heard "voices" and claimed to
oddity of her society, a republican form be both male and female, but whose
of government granting citizenship to actions were so perverse that Voice
aristocratic women, as the major reason Claudia refuses to describe them. She
these gene-carriers were able to does say, however, that the Bene
organize a cohesive and lasting Gesserat then prohibited certain
structure. Her group was named the memory-transference practices and
"Bene Gesserat," a pun which publicly began new training procedures to
labeled them a service group, devoted safeguard active females against the
to bearing and rearing good citizens. possibility of personality "possession."
But to the members the name meant Voice Claudia recited the "Prohibition
women who "bear well," who strive to against Abomination": "In the male and
breed a savior, a living god, to activate female consciousness there reside
the female/male consciousness of the personalities of such evil and such
past, the present, and the future. These power that they endanger the species.
women seem well aware of the political They stand ready to dominate any
power of such a person, a power which untrained soul. When one's soul
would eliminate both internal and becomes dominated, possessed by such
external threats to their nation. an ancestral evil, one becomes an
The next Voice, Claudia, details Abomination, a fleshly house inhabited
the Bene Gesserat's elaborate training by a monster. Immediate death is the
program for women who, with their only release for such a soul. The order
military husbands, would colonize will take precautions to guard a
conquered territory. These bloodline while extinguishing the
"missionaries" contacted a northern power of tile Abomination."
family unit which had retained active
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 173

The period when the Bene able to trace some of the more
Gesserat was active seems unusually influential lines into the active lines
well populated by tribal "saviors." produced by our empire, perhaps even
From the southern unit came a savior to Leto II himself.
strong enough to produce disciples who The next dozen or so Voices
proselytized deep into the northern report an extensive period of female
territories. Cater Voices continue subjugation in both northern and
reports of his power, but our, analysis southern cultures. The southern culture
of this entity is inhibited by the Holy was ruled by a heavily patriarchal
Church's impounding all references family empire, its women's breeder
made to this figure in the tapes that groups functioning primarily through a
have been translated. Guard Bible hareem system built on communication
specialists are the only people allowed links within extended families. Any
access to these translations. Another hope of these gene-carriers for overt
active male is reported by Voice influence in their society was frustrated
Morfudd to have known both the for several millennia. But within the
ancient past and the distant future. His hareem, this group continued an
lineage shows a conjunction of the extensive, though covert, training and
Bene Gesserat lines with the newer breeding system. The northern unit had
northern family lines. This particular less success in maintaining continuity
male, Voice Morfudd tells us, rejected during this period. When the empire
the role of savior, choosing to be an governed by the Bene Gesserat's nation
adviser to a king rather than the king collapsed, the northern group was
himself (she notes social prohibitions separated from the southern group, and
against his taking power, being outside its own internal communication
the regularized marriage lines of either deteriorated. Political strife fragmented
group). Voice Morfudd tells strange the territories held by the empire and
stories disputing this man's "death," made continuity of training north of the
dormancy myths like those told of Leto Great Sea almost impossible. Brief
II in the Holy Books of the Divided reunion with the south came when
God. She also notes that his powers Mother Eleanor, accompanying her
were transferred through folk myth to husband/king on an extensive political-
the leader whom he served, a man religious excursion into the south, used
known for millennia in his culture as her time (while her husband battled and
"The Once and Future King." Ghappato pillaged) to restore some
surmises from the Voices after communications with the south.
Morfudd that these reincarnation and Unfortunately, the linkage was brief,
resurrection myths reflect a family and after Mother Eleanor's death the
group within which an active-male northern groups fragmented, losing any
strain existed for many centuries, at union with each other as well as with
least. When the genealogies transmitted the south. The only continuity left at all
by these Voices are incorporated into was found in two groups separated by
the Summa breeding charts, Bene sociopolitical boundaries. The
Gesserit Archivist Reverend Mother aristocracies continued to intermarry,
Maurius Iris gCopaleen hopes to be and the remnants of the old Bene
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 174

Gesserat attempted to continue secretly territory was almost annihilated by the

breeding and training within the conquerors, and the new genes were
extended families. Occasionally an not successfully integrated into the
aristocratic breeder would gain public general breeding pattern for several
power, such as the woman who briefly centuries. (Certain genetic identifiers in
held a dominant ecclesiastical position. this group have raised the possibility
But in general, the order had to work that it, in some way, may be part of
through its members' husbands and The Duncan's heritage. Minority
sons. A broader and stronger geneticists have begun a careful study
organization developed in the trades of this portion of the tapes.) Voice
and among the peasantry, a religious Mawaganawa gives some history of the
group called Wicca. Voice Helga Matra second family group, one set in a slave
suggest that not only did this position within the conquering society.
organization follow the programs She speaks of the long and painful
established by the Bene Gesserat period needed to resolve hostilities
missionaries, but that it also practiced between the two groups of women. The
the "sciences" of the day, particularly integration of the four groups not only
the medical skills. But she also notes renewed the vigor of the original
that political disruptions left pockets of breeding line but also added genetic
uninitiated and untrained active women characteristics which enhanced this
who, after centuries of alienation, were cultures' eventual technological
forced to interpret the evidence of their progress.
abilities within the patriarchal religious
mythos of their territory. These THE BENE GESSERRETTE
women, hearing "voices," often went Voice Suzette comments on the
mad, and in the process were either rejuvenation of the Bene Gesserat by
venerated or executed by their breeders in the northern territories. Her
neighbors, their fates dependent on the era saw the formation of women's
interpretation of their local priests. groups that sought openly to produce a
Voice Blanche Terese tells of one such savior. Voice Lucienne says that
woman whose "voices" drove her to eventually the north gained a self-
become a national hero: she was proclaimed savior, a man born out of
martyred for defending her prince in peasant gene-carriers and educated in
battle. the ancient traditions. He believed
The northern branch also became himself a god-emperor and set out to
active in conquering and colonizing gain an empire. His conquests reunited
territories newly discovered through the northern and southern gene-
more advanced navigational skills. This carriers, reopening communication
activity brought both of the northern through the female espionage agents he
gene-carrying groups together under planted within the hareem system. He
social conditions which allowed their also sought through intermarriage of
reunion. They also became involved the aristocracy of the north to reunite
with two more family types, each the two northern lines. From women
carrying similar genetic traits. The within the hareems and women within
family inhabitating the conquered the northern Bene Gesserat was
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 175

established the Bene Gesserrette, its group. Within two and a half centuries,
mother house located in Wallachia, an the Mother House had successfully
area at the junction of the northern and excommunicated them, deprived them
southern units. Here the southern and of public validity, and retained only
northern breeding records were breeders who had not participated in
reunited in an updated Summa. The old the splinter group.
Bene Gesserat training programs were For information concerning the
reactivated across the north and sent to technological era, the reports of three
the newly occupied territories across a Voices become valuable. Voice Maura
Western Ocean. Voice Maria reports Macume details the work done with
that within three centuries, the northern early thought machines which the
and southern units had been integrated. Sisterhood saw as an expedient means
Both units remained secret, but while of streamlining the programming of its
the southern unit retained its traditional breeding programs. The Mother House
hareem structure, the northern operated kept its own mnemonic records of the
under the guise of an educational charts, into which the machine-
religious order, providing cloistered programmed breeding charts were
education for aristocratic females and integrated, allowing more complex
occupational training for working-class experimental breeding patterns. Voice
females. Sierre Kaikilani describes at length the
infiltration of the controllers of the
THE BENE GESSERIT thought machine by the Sisterhood. She
The northern culture experienced was the chief programmer for the off-
an improvement of technology, leading Terran exploration undertaken by a
within less man a century to radical political coalition of the northern,
social revisions. The Mother House southern, and western powers. Rom her
recognized the usefulness of commentary, it appears that the Mother
technology and trained women to gain House, through Voice Sierre and other
powerful positions within the northern women like her, used the expedition to
group, particularly in the advanced develop the eventual seeding and
western group. One women's group in breeding plans for off-Terran
the western territory became colonization.
independent of the Mother House, Voice Glenna Riche tells of the
calling themselves Daughters and first global attempt to regularize the
trying to assert political claims by structure and training of the "Bene
making their breeding charts the basis Gesserit," as it now was named. Since
for social acceptability. They Wallachia had lost its name and
publicized their breeding charts, set political integrity, an extensive
standards of etiquette, bred male underground network of women
children for political office, and working within their separate political
viciously attacked units of the Mother jurisdictions developed centers where
organization. They no longer believed breeders were educated, where
in group consciousness, and they bred breeding charts were maintained, and
for a purely secular savior, trying to where new skills such as
nullify the power of any other breeding psycholinguistic analysis were
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 176

developed. At this time the southern The Mother House dispatched this unit
unit had emerged from its millennia of before they could implement their
political stasis to compete as an equal theory.
political power, strengthened by Much time was needed to
control of a major energy source. Thus complete the global network, during
the women of the south were finally which women gained some public
free to join the Sisterhood as active power, even governing for brief periods
participants. here and there. For the Mother House
Another interesting point made this was a time to establish strong
by Voice Glenna concerns the process educational units in politically
used for memory activation among the powerful societies. The schools
Reverend Mothers of her time. developed basic training used by the
Apparently a rapidly developing Bene Gesserit for millennia, well into
chemistry simplified the physiological our own time, in an interesting
and psychological memory combination of eastern, southern, and
transferences. Until then, transferences northern training techniques. Reverend
were controlled primarily through non- Mother Cassius Ida Treac, Director of
chemical, physiological and Educational Analysis at the Archives,
psychological training techniques. offers her interpretation of Voice
Unfortunately for our purposes, the Glenna's information. Treac primarily
major portion of this tape is still being compares the philosophy of ancient and
studied by chemical experts at the modern techniques, noting that training
Chapter House on Ix. The portion of programs in the Archives refer
the tape available to us does include obliquely to apparently the same
Voice Glenna's description of a radical sources Voice Glenna discusses. Also,
southern Bene Gesserit unit which Treac notes that the implantation of
developed a chemical stimulant to chapter houses within educational
activate latent males, and in the process institutions was continued by the Bene
produced a savior figure who led a Gesserit into the empire. We surmise
jihad to rid the world of "corrupt that such an activity may still prevail
Modern Infidels." After years of today. But Treac takes this opportunity
devastating war in the southern to dispel a longstanding folk myth:
territory, the Mother House finally "Neither our records nor the Book of
directed an assassination which the Voices links the Bene Gesserit in
eliminated the core of the jihad. Voice any way with Terran-based, male-
Glenna also comments on a northern oriented educational institutions
radical unit which sought a chemical administered by the ancient Jhesuits, no
process to activate the male memory matter what the records of the Holy
within an active female. This unit Church purport. If anything, the Book
argued that men were extraneous, of the Voices indicates that the male
unsuitable saviors, having failed in this group derived some: of its educational
role over the millennia of the family's techniques and principles from the
development. They planned to collect, Bene Gesserit, not the other way
flash-freeze, and store breeder semen around." Treac's complete analysis of
and then to eliminate men completely. the Voices is in her "New Views of an
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 177

Old System,'' Archives Quarterly our strife. But in our striving, we work
Review, 15:199-253. for that which will work against us.
Only by not knowing where we go can
OFF-TERRAN COLONIZATION we advance. When we have found our
The Bene Gesserit was active, as future, we will be embedded in time as
Voice Sierre notes, during the the fly is in the amber.'' Later Voices,
Exploration period, and by the time of however, speak disparagingly of Voice
colonization had covertly taken control Sedilious, calling her an "Unheard
of programming the seeding machines. Non-Breeder."
Both Voice Maura and Voice Sierre Though the Sisterhood became
give information increasing our heavily dependent on thought
understanding of how the Imperium machines, one branch remained
was populated. But during the same devoted to mnemonic records-
period, disputes raged over the basic preserving the Summa and the Mikkro-
purpose of the Sisterhood. For instance, Fishedotte through the Butlerian Jihad.
Voice Glenna is caustic in her Other ancient volumes such as the
comments about the "primitive" Azhar Book and the Panoplia
breeders and their desire for a male Propheticus were likely protected in
savior. As spokesperson for her the same way. R.M. Treac suggests that
northern unit, she disdains the notion of the Founding Legends, always assumed
a dominant male power and sees the to be apocryphal, may actually be
premise of universal consciousness as historical. For example, she notes that
an ancient, "unsophisticated" folk myth. the Voices from this period
For her, breeding for political and consistently refer to Wallach IX as the
economic power is the order's primary Mother World, as if that planet had
goal. But western philosopher Voice always been dominated by Bene
Dorins says, "There are too many race Gesserit.
memories and too many holocausts in A Voice Sabhaatha from a
our history for any sane person to period well into colonization reports
assimilate." A southern Voice, that the Sisterhood used thought
however, disagrees with both. Voice machines to program an early
Saadhiina argues that the "technocrats" missionary group sent to newly
are short-sighted because of their inhabited planets as cultural ecologists,
separation from nature and because of but whose real purpose was to implant
their lust for machines rather than protective myths, the Missionaria
respect for ecology. She calls her Protectiva, for future breeders.
northern and western sisters "water-fat" Throughout this period, the Sisterhood
and "machine lazy," asserting that they continued to dominate the
have lost their humanity and wish to programming for colonization,
breed with the thought machines. For carefully establishing breeding charts
her, a male savior is the primary goal. and programs, though it tried with
The Voices continue this argument mixed success to retain a public image
well into the Age of the Machine. A as a religious teaching order. The noted
poignant comment is made by Voice cultural ecologist Corrihos Maliaronno
Sedilious: "We strive for one who ends theorizes that the Bene Gesserit
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 178

recognized the relationship between Exploration period was that a powerful

ecology and social vitality, thus anima, a feminine element governing
choosing positive though varied intuitive understanding, was present in
ecological settings for the breeders. all psyches. This belief was actually a
From her work with the Voices tapes, distortion of an early Bene Gesserit
Maliaronno surmises that offshoots of Mother Goddess ideology which had
southern Terran cultures were been submerged in a scientific
particularly well situated on semi-arid discipline, psychology. Wife space
and arid worlds, being historically exploration, humans venturing into fee
compatible with the harsh climates and "heaven" of the gods, mythic beliefs
productive of hardy new cultures. She were challenged by human technology,
finds evidence that the Zensunni causing a conflict which the Bene
Wanderers and their descendants, the Gesserit missionaries used to their
Fremen, inhabiting worlds drawing on advantage as they promoted intuitive
their socio-ecological heritages, reasoning to counter strictly data-based
produced particularly vital breeding technological reasoning. This conflict
groups (vital enough to be eventual between the rational and fee intuitive
breeders of the Kwisatz Haderach). continued well into the colonization
Maliaronno also argues that temperate period, but Voice Maharinih points out
worlds produced more sophisticated feat as economic and political factions
but less hardy breeders, fee Atreides united in an inter-world trade
being an exception rather than a norm. federation, the technocrats gained
She is also studying Voice Mahtinka control, dominating the less
from the Chapter House on Dendros economically important "humanistic"
because that purely agrarian world also forces. Because fee thought machines
produced hardy breeders. controlled fee economies of fee new
worlds, fee people on these worlds
THE BUTLERIAN JIHAD became dependent on "machine-
From fee records in the Raids thought" — objective, non-emotional,
Hoard authenticating the Voice non-intuitive behavior. The Bene
commentaries, we are now sure that Gesserit likewise became highly
Bene Gesserit of Hidden Rank Jehanne machine-dependent, teaching "rational
Butler was the instigator and early thought" in its educational institutions,
leader of fee Butlerian Jihad. [See and limiting its intuitive work to the
Harq al-Ada's The Butlerian Jihad, Lib. ideologists seeding mythos on new
Conf. Temporary Series 28, or R. Siik's worlds. During this period fee Bene
The Emergence of Jehanne Butler Gesserit Creed of Linked Rationality
(Thor: Valkyrie) far older and newer was adopted: "Before us all methods of
views less certain of the Bene Gesserit learning were tainted by instinct. We
role in the Butlerian Jihad. — Ed.] learned how to learn. Before us
Voice Maharinih gives information instinct-ridden researchers possessed a
about the culture and fee Bene Gesserit limited attention span — often no
activities just prior to fee Jihad. One longer than a single lifetime. Projects
dominant, pseudo-religious belief stretching across fifty or more lifetimes
which developed during fee early never occurred to them." Only when
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 179

the Mother House realized feat houses which developed during the
machines were decreasing human Imperium.
control, breeding humans into non- Details of the post-Jihad
intelligent work animals, and reorganization of the order into a
systematically aborting any Bene publicly acknowledged, influential
Gesserit breeder, did the Bene Gesserit agency are given by Voice Reverend
plan a revolt. The order now added the Mother Tercitus Marianna Clarique.
famous "First Lesson" to the training The reorganization made public fee
program: "Humans must never submit primary ranks of the order, but the
to animals" — fee machine-bred non- Sisterhood continued to use Hidden
humans must be eliminated along with Rank as needed. Some of the more
the machines. The Chapter House on important chapter houses became well-
Komos became the center for planning, known empire research institutions (the
being one of fee few planets not yet Komos Chapter House was reorganized
controlled by fee machines. But the as the Primary Research and Genetic
abortion of Jehanne Butler's daughter Science Institute on the newly named
sparked fee actual revolt: Sarah Butler Ix). But the political strength of the
would have borne fee Kwisatz Bene Gesserit in its new public role
Haderach. came not so much from its educational
Through the Jihad, the Bene institutions as it did from its ideology
Gesserit was preserved by fee of "humanness."
geographical locations of its Mother The Sisterhood gained access to
House and chapter houses and by its political centers by serving as
public association with religion, "truthsayers." During the Machine era,
education, and humanism. Wallach IX, leaders depended totally on "lie-
being a neutral planet, became a refuge detectors" to determine veracity in any
for humanist intellectuals, most of negotiation. With the loss of these
whom had been trained in Bene machines, and as Voice Clarique adds,
Gesserit institutions. The Summa was "with no reestablishment of human
thus preserved, the breeding records trust," the Bene Gesserit truthsaying
safe in mnemonic holders and in the training made the Sisterhood a
ancient bound volumes in fee Archives. necessary part of all major, and most
At this stage the Sisterhood abolished minor, political and economic
its own experiments with artificial meetings. The Bene Gesserit was
insemination, declaring that "For fee employed in this service within every
Sisterhood, mating mingles more than major House and later also became
sperm and ovum. We wish to breed and involved with the Guild. As Voice
capture psyches, an accomplishment Clarique notes, there were few secrets
possible only through human to human from the Bene Gesserit. She adds that
interaction." The Summa shows that the the order also made public its "gom
Bene Gesserit continued its breeding jabbar" test as a means of insuring that
program after the Jihad through no machine-bred animals were allowed
planned marriage and selective to masquerade as humans. The public
concubinage, soon controlling the remained hostile to these machine-
breeding lines of the Major and Minor breeds for centuries, a condition that
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 180

allowed the Sisterhood more freedom educational and breeding programs was
to test its own breeding line for to gain control of the power bases of
sensitivity and for Kwisatz Haderach the empire. The ancient desire for a
potential. The details, also, of the Bene humanity united by an active male
Gesserit activity in the C.E.T. and the consciousness apparently had been
influence of the Azhar Book on the forgotten, submerged in a single-
Orange Bible are discussed by Voices minded objective of breeding a
who participated in the work Fatha Kwisatz Haderach who would rule the
Mecq, expert on the Guard Bible, empire. As Xlecthian of Ix said early in
contends that remnants of the the God Emperor's reign, "The problem
Sisterhood's influence can still be of getting what one wants comes in
found in the Holy Church (see her discovering too late what one has asked
monograph, "Azhar Echoes for Today" for."
Sofia 489:191-250). In her Commentaries to the
Later Voices also claim that the Voices, Our Lady and Mother Ghanima
Bene Gesserit was known throughout discusses the irony that both the jihads
the Imperium as a religious service and in our history were begun by Bene
teaching order: women devoted to truth Gesserits, but she also points out the
and virtue whose mission was to lead differences between the two women.
society out of the holocaust following Jehanne Butler began with a well-
the machine era into a new era based thought-out purpose and with the full
on the combined powers of intellect support of the order but Lady Jessica,
and intuition. Late in the second Our Lady's grandmother, deviated from
Imperial millennium, the Sisterhood the order's plans, disrupted its purpose,
added an amendment to its Creed: worked against her own mother,
"Reserve an attitude of distrust for Reverend Mother Gaius Helen
anything that comes in the guise of Mohiam, and began a course of history
logic." This addition came partly in which eventually deprived the Bene
response to machine-thought but also Gesserit of most of its power. Our Lady
as a counter to a new, competitive and Mother adds that the motherline of
teaching order, the Mentats (founded in the God Emperor had been obscure
1234), who sought to replace machine- until her work with the Voices. Leto II
thought with perfect human logic. refused to acknowledge his connections
While the Sisterhood employed many with an order he so clearly detested,
of the same analytical methods as the and Our Lady adds that her discovery
Mentats, the order argued that the was further hindered by the
universe could not be completely or suppression of Mohiam's Voice by the
accurately understood through isolated Voices of both Jessica and Paul.
objective analysis. Such analysis was When Lady Jessica produced a
useful in individual events, but male rather than the prescribed female
synthesis was gained through intuitive child, the order discounted the birth,
interpretation. Throughout this period, even though Jessica's daughter would
though, the Voices agree that though have been bred to produce a Kwisatz
the overt image of the order was that of Haderach. More importantly, when
service, the actual objective of the Mohiam tested her grandson with the
 BENE GESSERIT HISTORY 181

gom jabbar, discovering an unusual The Eulogy for an Ideal, an

degree of strength in him, she kept the anonymous poem included with the
test results a secret, giving the Commentaries, indicates that when
Sisterhood no warning that a potential Leto II gained ultimate power and
Kwisatz Haderach was among them. preempted the Sisterhood's breeding
[The Emperor Paul confirmed the gom program, the order lost its most
jabbar test, but we have only the word valuable entree into the power
of the Bene Gesserit that the R.M. structure. The Journals also show his
Gaius Helen Mohiam did not report its constant antipathy, if not outright
results. Why should she not have hatred, of the order. Leto managed to
informed her order about the possible change what had been a potent political
success of a twenty-thousand-year force into a subservient order of
plan? One need not be overly skeptical educators and historians. Because Leto
to suspect that the B.G. failure to co- controlled the spice supply, the Bene
opt Paul is here being extenuated by Gesserit had little choice but to accede
making a scapegoat of Gaius Helen to his wishes, to humor him, and to
Mohiam, — Еd.] serve him as efficiently as possible.
Thus Muad'Dib's power came as Through this period, though, the
a surprise to the order, and its attempts Journals indicate that the Sisterhood
to control his breeding proved was never completely subdued. There
completely ineffectual. Our Lady, in is evidence that the order was involved,
her Commentaries, is quite critical of periodically, in conspiracies to destroy
the Sisterhood: him.
One must understand the stance of the Bene Leto also took control of the
Gesserit during Jessica's time to appreciate how
completely off-guard they were to the
Sisterhood's seeded mythologies,
possibility of. as "accidental" Kwisatz turning them into the basis for his new
Haderach. For eight thousand years at least this religion, and that action must have
group of women had been deeply embroiled in been the ultimate degradation to the
their breeding charts and their marriage
bartering, all in the name of producing their order. Only after the Scattering and the
"savior." The possibility of such an event Starvation did the Bene Gesserit regain
actually occurring was lost in the immediacy of some of its status. Its ancient axiom
their struggle to attain profane power. Also, had held true: "Survival is the ability to
(hey had no real experience in dealing with a
"savior." The nearest they had come was swim in strange waters." From the
Hasimir Fenring, a man they and everyone else records still guarded in the Archives,
took much too lightly. Therefore, when Jessica we learn that the waters following the
produced a son rather than a daughter, the
Sisterhood was more angry than alarmed. And
God Emperor were strange indeed, and
when this child was tested by the gom jabbar, that the Bene Gesserit went through
no one had enough sense to pay attention to the many overt shape shiftings in its
results. They had really lost track not only of attempt to survive.
their purpose but also of their history, unable to
foresee the possibilities presented when this The universal consciousness for
extraordinary boy was placed within an ancient which the ancient Sisterhood strove
culture, prepared by tradition for the arrival of a apparently was fulfilled in Leto II, but
superhero. The order had "mislaid" the Fremen at super-human cost. As The Holy
and with them the seeded mythos preparing
them for a savior. The Bene Gesserit received a Books of the Divided God indicate, the
well-deserved fate. universal consciousness which might
 THE BENE GESSERIT LIBRARY ON WALLACH IX 182

have given stability to a tribe of Terran drastically reduced the marketability of

primal humans became, instead, the the Bene Gesserit-trained teachers and
force that changed the texture and soothsayers among the houses Major
pattern of our complex universe. We and Minor. This loss of income, along
have learned enough from these initial with the God Emperor's control of the
investigations of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood's spice quota and the almost
material in the Rakis Hoard to show us complete unavailability of it after the
how little we really know of a past Scattering, prevented the Bene Gesserit
more ancient than we had supposed from purchasing all but the least
possible. sophisticated of Ixian memory and
J.A.C. retrieval devices. And there is no
question that researchers found the
THE BENE GESSERIT LIBRARY Bene Gesserit holdings, even the most
ON WALLACH IX secret ones, in disarray. A taskforce of
the Library Confraternity is now
The holdings of the Bene
cataloging and indexing large amounts
Gesserit Library on Wallach IX and the
of unprocessed minimic film and piles
cooperation of its staff have been most
of written and coded reports using the
valuable in understanding many of the
very devices that the Sisterhood has
crystals in the Rakis Finds. Our thanks
been unable to afford since the second
are due the Council of Reverend
century of Leto IVs reign. — Ed.
Mothers, who have allowed outsiders
Even in obvious decline, the
access to parts of the restricted portion
Bene Gesserit Library still echoes the
for the first time. Obviously, it was
glory and comfort of its prime.
naive to have thought of the above-
Cleverly designed as a respite from the
ground General Collection as the
severe training and service duties
entire holdings. If the Sisterhood had
imposed upon the acolyte, some of
shared only the recordings of the voice
whom began their training as early as
of Paul Muad'Dib, their contribution to
seven years old, the main reading room
the study of Leto II's diaries would
is distinguished by its great metaglass
have been significant, but there has
windows that overlook the starkly
been much more. Admittedly, some
beautiful landscape of the planet. These
members of the Dar-es-Balat research
twenty-meter panoramas at one time
team still insist that the Bene Gesserit
alternated with massive murals and
were acting selfishly when they opened
richly colored hangings. Sadly, most of
the Chapter House collections. These
the murals and hangings were sold to
critics cite Leto II's prohibition of
support the order, and the ones from
mental training and its crippling effect
Rakis were long ago consumed for
on the retrieval capabilities of the
their melange content. AH that remain
Sisterhood's holdings as prime
are numerous reproductions. Here, it is
motivations for their new generosity.
supposed, weary acolytes and retired
Indeed, the God Emperor's
agents came to find intellectual
conspicuous mental superiority over
relaxation, the only kind the former
the most adept Reverend Mothers, even
were allowed. One can imagine an
the legendary Gaius Helen Mohiam,
aging Margot, Lady Fenring seeking a
 THE BENE GESSERIT LIBRARY ON WALLACH IX 183

moment away from her teaching duties The numerous vaults, each sealed with
to write or reread her own memoirs, locks of varying degrees of antiquity,
Arrakis and After, amid the lush point to extreme secrecy. The entry
plantings from even the most exotic of desk is thought to have been supervised
worlds or a young, harried acolyte by only the most adept Reverend
curled up in one of the hand-crafted, Mothers, and this compulsory duty
fur-covered chairs reading the partially explains the mysterious
illustrated plays of Harq al-Harba. And absences that have been typical of the
there is no doubt that the contents of highest of the order since its beginning.
the General Collection, as distinct from The sealed vaults are divided into three
the restricted holdings of the special collections: the Xenocultural
collections of the Chronicles of the Collection, the complete Master
Chapter House, were selected for their Breeding Records and the Mating
combination of the inspirational and Index, and the Reference Collection
the entertaining with the instructional. and the Bene Gesserit histories and
Featured were narrative highlights of records. Only this last section is
the over 2,300 years of the Missionaria specifically named the Chronicles of
Protectiva, including those of Attus the Chapter House, a title that has been
Marge Corina, the first of the mistakenly applied to the entire
Sisterhood to make contact with the complex.
Fremen. Selected editions of the The Xenocultural Collection
Orange Catholic Bible, along with astonished scholars with the extent of
other selections from the richer hoard its contents and the startling smugness
of religious writings in the vaults, of the Bene Gesserit definition of what
flanked the main, crystal-faced display constituted "alien" material. While it is
case. Opposite in an ornate case of not surprising to find complete copies
jade-pink petrified elacca, made of the original Fremen Dunebook
supposedly from the desk of Baron (including one of the few remaining
Vladimir Harkonnen, were a set of the copies of the forbidden rite of human
Master Breeding Records, their cryptic sacrifice to Shai-Hulud), the Tleilaxu,
codings reflecting over eleven hundred Godbuk, The Zensunni Codex, The
years of futile pursuit of the Kwisatz Mental Handbook, The Spacing Guild
Haderach. Missing from the General Manual, The Dune Gospels, and the
Collection set were the volumes Qizarate Creed here — it is shocking,
depicting the catastrophic failures of to find that the Bene Gesserit also
Paul Muad'Dib and Feyd-Rautha classified the Orange Catholic Bible
Harkonnen and the highly sensitive and (O.C.B.) and the histories of Houses
secret Mating Index. Major and Minor, including the
Descending into the restricted Atreides, under the xeno- heading1.
and ancient catacombs, the visitor finds
the scene has changed little. The
austere rows of identical plasteel Available from the Rakis copies are:
1

Princess Irulan Atreides-Corrino, ed., The Dunebook,

carrels, each with its own solido Rakis Ref. Cat. 7-Z331; Anon., The Tleilaxu Godbuk,
projector (many now inoperable), Rakis Ref. Cat. 3-TL42; G. Albans and G.O. Ftayt, The
embody a spirit of austere scholarship. Mentat Handbook, tr. Dale, Reeve Mara (Finally:
Mosaic); Spacing Guild, The Steersman's Guide, tr.
 THE BENE GESSERIT LIBRARY ON WALLACH IX 184

In the separate sub-section under the gom jabbar. Among the later,
reserved for the O.C.B. are a complete better-kept records are the numerous
set of the variorum edition and a copy studies of Princess Irulan Corrino,
of the Orange Liturgical Manual. herself a product of the school on
Researchers were delighted to discover Wallach IX. Also included in the
the only known complete collection of Atreides portion of the Xenocultural
the Commentaries of the Commission Collection are the writings of Harq al-
of Ecumenical Translators (C.E.T.) Ada — The Holy Metamorphosis, The
along with a large volume of working Book of Leto, The Dune Catastrophe,
notes and drafts that were long thought and The Story of Liet-Kynes — as well
destroyed by the C.E.T. While the as the invaluable recordings and brief
public histories of the Bene Gesserit memoirs of Paul Atreides, the Hayt
indicate that the Sisterhood used the Chronicles (Duncan Idaho-10208.), and
period of the O.C.B. to refine its own The Book of Ghanima, probably
philosophies and practices, especially written by the young Leto II1.
the Missionaria Protectiva, the Bene Many other volumes in the
Gesserit copies of its C.E.T. holdings adjacent sections of the Xenocultural
are filled with notations and cross- Collection are devoted to historical and
references suggesting the Sisterhood's analytical studies of all aspects of
malevolent collusion in the chaos and major events and institutions, including
panic that surrounded the preparation a definitive history of the development
and release of the O.C.B. However, any of the Combine Honnete Ober
firm conclusion must wait until the Advancer Mercantiles, compiled and
Ixian collators and analog-retrievers edited by Reverend Mother Sapphos
can compare the O.C.B. situation with Swene Altar, an expansive study of
the Sisterhood's own records. House Harkonnen by Lady [Demos]
The lack of organization of the Obric Harkonnen (a Bene Gesserit of
Atreides Collection seems directly Hidden Rank), and even a fully
related to the rise of that house and annotated and corrected version of the
indicates the truth of the contention that discredited Pirate History of the House
the Bene Gesserit had viewed that Corrino.
conflict as just another among similar The existence of the
power struggles. Atreides records are Xenocultural Collection shows that the
much more carefully catalogued Sisterhood fanatically followed the
following the fall of House Corrino. edict to know thy enemy. One may
This changed attitude supports other only speculate that their perspective on
information pointing to a lack of "alien" knowledge may have led to an
conscientiousness in the entire affair intellectual isolationism contributing to
and explains the minor attention given their fall from power. Nonetheless,
to the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen
Mohiam's vague report on Paul
Atreides' extraordinary performance Available from the Rakis copies are: al-Ada,
1

The Dune Catastrophe, tr. Miigal Reed (Mukan:

Lothar), and The Story of Liet-Kynes, Lib. Conf.
Temp. Series 109; Duncan Idaho-10208, The Hayt
P.K. Lorilaraz (Topaz: Lndlow); Anon., The Dune Chronicle, tr. Kershel, Reeve Shautin (Finally:
Gospels, Rakis Ref. Cat. 1-T2. Mosaic).
 THE BENE GESSERIT LIBRARY ON WALLACH IX 185

Leto II often laughingly referred to the preserves the secrets of even the most
Xenocultural Collection as "that ghafla ancient faiths. Among these are
dump." priceless copies of the Zensunni Codex,
An entire wing of the large a much more complete copy of the
subterranean vault is devoted to the Fremen Dunebook (am the one in the
keeping of a complete set of the General Collection (which was a
Summa: Master Breeding Records and popularized version edited by Irulan
its Mating Index. Some evidence Corrino), the Buddislamic Codex, the
indicates an abortive attempt to shield Navachristian Bible, the Mahayana
this section with a primitive Ixian Lankavatara Blend Books, and the
Globe in a futile attempt to hide Muadh Quran as well as other
information from the God Emperor duplicates from the Xenocultural
Leto II. Scholars have yet to examine Collection and its Atreides section.
these records, and no one knows Appropriately, the Sisterhood's source
whether the Bene Gesserit leadership books, anthologies, and instruction
will ever allow access even though the manuals for the Missionaria Protectiva
failures of the Paul Atreides/Feyd- and the Panoplia Propheticus are also
Rautha Harkonnen attempts render housed in this section while the less
these records inconsequential. sensitive teaching texts were readily
However, they undoubtably contain available at varied locations on
documentation of Bene Gesserit Wallach IX and in the branch chapter
manipulation of major figures (i.e., houses on other planets prior to their
Count Hasimir Fenring), and there are destruction by Leto II.
unverified reports that both the records Housed in seemingly endless
and the index are still open files and tunnels branching out from the main
continue to the present. These rumors vault are the reports of the Bene
are obviously absurd given me success Gesserit field agents. Much of this
of Leto II's breeding program and the material has yet to yield to the Ixian
Siona Atreides/Duncan Idaho union. analog-scanners, but selective retrievals
The third major section of the have revealed fascinating insights and
vault is devoted to the Bene Gesserit anomalies. Gaius Helen Mohiam's
Reference Library and the Sisterhood's folios appear incomplete and
own records. The Reference Library fragmentary, surprising for a Cogita
duplicates some items in the other Vera (soothsayer) and a Mater
sections, and many unique items, such Executrix. One scholar has called them
as the complex code keys, are of little censored and edited, but the elaborate
immediate interest. But the extensive security systems that the library once
religious materials are invaluable. This had would have made such overt
information, much of it unique, was the alterations difficult once the material
source material used to compile the was filed. On the other hand, the
astonishingly complete Azhar Book1, accounts of Lady [Mingus] Margot
the bibliographic compendium that Fenring are wonderfully full, revealing
that her role in the Atreides rise was
greater than suspected. The reports of
K. R. Barauz, ed.. The Azhar Book, Vol. 1-4, Arrakis
the Lady Jessica Atreides, who the
1

Studies 49 (Grumman: United Worlds).

 BENE GESSERIT RANKS 186

Sisterhood still curse as the archtraitor, apparently dating from before the
naturally stopped about the time of her Butlerian Jihad, Only one title used in
aql in the Fremen Ceremony of the these records remains in the modern
Seed on Arrakis. The reports of Bene Gesserit — Reverend Mother.
Jehanne Butler, an important person in But from current information it seems
Bene Gesserit history whose child's that the tide itself held far more
abortion was her personal motive for significance in the past than it does
the Butlerian Jihad, are complete and now. The mendicant teaching order
calculating, demonstrating the effective now known as the Bene Gesserit
support of the Sisterhood in that appears to lack the facilities and
transformation of human philosophy. resources to maintain the highly
Of a particularly poignant nature are complicated structure of initiation,
the often confused and always starkly preparation, and rank structuring
honest accounts by the Reverend Sister described in the historical documents.
Chenoeh and the Reverend Mother The Ordines Matrium indicates
Tertius Eileen Anteac, which relate that a woman was more apt to be
their stays in the court of the God chosen for than to choose the
Emperor Leto II and their interactions Sisterhood as her life's work. The
with him and their conflicts with the breeding indices determined an
orthodox dogmaticism of the individual's eligibility for membership.
Soothsayer Marcus Claire Luyseyal. Only those females shown to be of a
The discoveries at Dar-es-Balat proven active-trait line, and whose
have had dramatic technological and recent ancestry showed at least one
economic benefits for the Bene Reverend Mother, were accepted as
Gesserit Library and have also initiates. And even these credentials
significantly increased scholarly apparently did not mean automatic
interest in its holdings. There is hope acceptance. Bene Gesserits, while
that continued modernization and doing their regular work, observed
research, combined with only these particular female infants
moderately cautious cooperation of the periodically for signs of active-trait
Sisterhood, will reveal further insights characteristics. As soon as such a child
into the Atreides phenomenon and experienced her first menses, she was
correct the neglect of the library that tested for sensitivity, using the gom
has continued since the reign of Leto II jabbar test for humanoess. Those
and the Scattering. females showing sensitivity and a
J.A.C. certain degree of intelligence and
interest were trained, either at a chapter
BENE GESSERIT RANKS noose or by a Bene Gesserit tutor
within their own homes, as "initiae."
The internal structure of the
The initiae trained within chapter
Bene Gesserit ranks of Sisterhood is
houses could be identified born by their
found in the Ordines Matrium. The
youth and by their clothing — dun-
Ordines Matrium and the Private Files
colored, long-sleeved shirts and
hold the records of membership and
leggings covered by short brown
rank within the Sisterhood, some
tunics.
 BENE GESSERIT RANKS 187

After five years of training, the accountants and scribes to run the
initiae were tested extensively for order's businesses; and domestic
sensitivity and active-trait potential and managers for the chapter houses and
separated into two groups: the "virgae'' the schools. The virgae, however,
— potential Reverend Mothers, and the prepared for their eventual roles as
"profictuae" — future members of the Reverend Mothers. After three years of
general Sisterhood, if successful, they preparation, the two groups of novices
were presented to a gathering of Bene came together in the Gathering Hall of
Gesserit in the "Ceremony of the Initial the Mother House to take their vows as
Oath." A Proctor Superior administered Bene Gesserits. The Matres
the oath to each individual, touching Felicissimae officiated before a
her forehead and repeating the gathering of Bene Gesserit of all ranks,
following words: who listened to their newest Sisters
I stand in the sacred human presence. As I repeat the Credo:
do now, so should you stand some day. I' pray Religion is the emulation of the adult by the
to your presence that this be so. The future child. Religion is the encystment of past
remains uncertain and so it should, for it is the beliefs: mythology, which is guesswork, the
canvas upon which we paint our desires. Thus hidden assumptions of trust in the universe,
always the human condition faces a beautifully those pronouncements which people have made
empty canvas. We possess only this moment in in search of personal power, all of it mingled
which to dedicate ourselves continuously to the with shreds of enlightenment. And always the
sacred presence which we share and create. ultimate unspoken commandment is "Thou
The candidate then faced the shalt not question!" But we question. We break
Sisterhood and repeated her first oath: that commandment as a matter of course. The
"I am a Bene Gesserit. I exist only to work to which we have set ourselves is the
liberating of the imagination, the harnessing of
serve." After this ceremony the young imagination to humankind's deepest creativity.
women moved from first form to The Sisters trained for the
second form, both in their training and general order were then given posts in
in their living accommodations. Their the field or placed in openings in the
new status was shown by the chapter houses and the schools. The
sleeveless, hoodless abas they now prospective Reverend Mothers, in the
wore, though sometimes they retained meantime, entered the second level of
their dun shirts and leggings in cold their training, become "filiae alvi."
climates. As filiae alvi the postulants
Profictus and virga forms lasted became workers as well as students.
three years. The profictuae received The postulants functioned in chapter
specialized education to prepare them houses or in the Mother House
for their work as Sisters. Though all primarily as messengers. Any
were trained for the general duties of Reverend Mother traveling on business
"pellices" (breeders), some received would take with her several filiae alvi
special training to become concubines trained in the memory-trance. After
or wives of the aristocracy. Others working and being constantly evaluated
were trained for careers: "praecetrix" to for two years, the postulants were
teach and tutor; "emissariae espion" to tested and judged by a review board of
join the spiderweb of Bene Gesserit Proctors Superior. At this stage, the
information gatherers; historians and postulants received one of three fates:
archivists to keep the order's records; reassignment for further training;
 BENE GESSERIT RANKS 188

disqualification for Reverend antiquity of the order and the efficiency

Motherhood — thus becoming regular of its breeding charts. A woman kept
Sisters; or advancement to the level of her family name to designate her
acolyte. Those promoted to acolyte position in the breeding indices, but to
were assigned to specific Reverend it she added a name (always male)
Mothers for whom they became from the original order of the Bene
personal servants for one to six years, Gesserat on ancient Terra and a name
depending on the individual's abilities. honoring a famous woman from the
The third step preparatory to history of the Sisterhood. For example,
becoming a Reverend Mother was the if a woman's name had been Cora of
rank of "Mater Acrior," During the the Corrino line, she might choose the
ceremony accepting a woman as Mater name Marcus Jehanne Corrinus as her
Acrior, she acknowledged the Reverend Mother designation. The
"Interdict Banning Immortality": "Age vestment of her new status was a
slowly, but slowly age. The world of sleeved black aba with a hood.
time is inhabited by creatures who ate The Reverend Mother title was
worn by time — and we must appear to generic, used by all Reverend Mothers
be as they are. Extend your time but do in public no matter what rank or
not exceed the limits of your culture. It position of authority they held within
is better to die one's own death than to the Sisterhood. One should not confuse
be killed as a sorceress." She also this general title with that of "Hidden
accepted the second part of the Credo: Rank," however, since they are two
"To suspect your own mortality is to different designations. Hidden Rank
know the beginning of terror; to learn was used by a Bene Gesserit who lived
irrefutably that you are mortal is to or worked in a position in which her
know the end of terror." At the official rank would prohibit her
conclusion of this ceremony the usefulness or endanger her life. For
woman donned a sleeved but hoodless example, if a woman of Reverend
black aba. Now the Mater Acrior began Mother status married into a Major or a
responsible work in her chosen field. Minor House, she kept her rank a secret
Often she would be apprenticed to a by using the Hidden Rank designation
Reverend Mother for a training period, (few men were eager to accept a
but eventually she assumed her own Reverend Mother into their beds).
role of worker within the Sisterhood. Occasionally, a Sister working as a
The length of time she remained at this pellex was forced to keep her affiliation
level varied with the individual. Some secret, acknowledging only that she
women lived their lives as Matres had been trained in a Bene Gesserit
Acrior while others were ready for the school. For such a woman, even her
final rites within five or ten years. Bene Gesserit files recorded her as
At the initiation rites of the being of Hidden Rank. Within the
"Water of Life," a woman became a general designation of Reverend
"Mater Sapientissima" or, to the Mother, however, there were four
general public, a Reverend Mother. To specific ranks: Regular R.M., Proctor,
mark her status, at this time she chose a Proctor General, and Proctor Superior.
three-part name which showed both the There were several other designations
 BENE GESSERIT TRAINING 189

limited to Reverend Mothers of any BENE GESSERIT TRAINING

rank, also. Two academic degrees
could be earned only by Reverend The essence of the Bene Gesserit
Mothers: "Erudica" and "Doctissima." training philosophy seems to be that, if
And two professions could be filled one can control oneself, or "know
only by Reverend Mothers, those of thyself," ultimately one can control the
"Ambactae" (ambassadors) and of universe. Its first axiom is "My mind
"Cogita Vera" (truthsayers). controls my reality." The training itself
Because they educated women is based on a series of progressive
of the Major and Minor Houses, the exercises, lasting approximately ten
Bene Gesserit also had actual and years, which give the student power to
honorary ranks for laity. Lay Sisters control herself mentally, physically,
were allowed to work in schools and and psychologically, and to control
chapter houses, doing the mundane others. This control is used not to
work necessary to the function of any withdraw to an internal fantasy world
institution. Honorary titles bestowed on but rather to observe and understand
Bene Gesserit-educated women of the reality with detached objectivity. Thus,
aristocracy were awarded at academic the prana-bindu training, begun if
exercises held annually in each Bene possible during the child's first year of
Gesserit school. The rifles of "Mater life, assures the candidate that mastery
Adfarata" and "Mater Custodia of herself is mastery of illusion, both of
Viarum" appear, from the Bene her own and of other people's. Most of
Gesserit files, to have been awarded the information available concerning
frequently. When one compares the traditional Bene Gesserit training is
annual awards to the historical records taken from an analysis of the texts and
showing the power fluctuations among manuals found in the Irulan materials at
Houses, one could conclude that these Dar-es-Balat. The modern Sisterhood
honorary degrees were primarily a will not release its contemporary
means of currying favor and material for research use, and has
maintaining patronage for the order. withdrawn the texts formerly available
The Ordines Matrium presents a in the open collection of the Wallach
Sisterhood which appears to be far IX library.
more complicated than the present But even reading the Irulan
Bene Gesserit. There is no way of material allows one to understand why
ascertaining the validity of this the Sisterhood acquired a reputation as
distinction, however, because the keen analysts, expert "seers," and
current information pertaining to fearsome fighters. The "weirding
present Bene Gesserit ranks has not ways" seen by outsiders are actually
been made available for this study. the results of a long process of self-
J.A.C. discipline which developed the ability
Further references: to analyze and synthesize information
x B.G. governance; not only in an environment of peace
x B.G. history. but also under stress. Two precepts
found in Reverend Mother Darius Kate
Clenhanan's Amor Fati: The Key to the
 BENE GESSERIT TRAINING 190

Way show this philosophy. The first manuals for each section's training)
shows the necessity for discipline: "To even refers to a transcendent force or
use raw power is to make yourself being. In fact, in the Missionaria
infinitely vulnerable to greater Protectiva material, religion is
powers," and the second deals with described as "the purposeful instruction
practical application of the training: of the masses." The texts describe
"The mind can go in either direction thousands of religio-mythic variations
under stress — toward positive or on the theme of supreme, non-human
toward negative: think of it as a power, but no evidence indicates that
spectrum whose extremes are the Sisterhood believed in any power
unconsciousness at the negative end greater than that of its own goal, the
and hyperconsciousness at the positive Kwisatz Haderach. The Great Horned
end." Thus the goal of the training is to Mother is used more as a mascot than
insure that the Sister will have her as a deity. Historical evidence suggests
power under control whatever the that this atheistic, tendency developed
situation. Clenhanan also points out the sometime after the Butlerian Jihad, but
fatal weakness inherent in this training: textual evidence, equally convincing,
great control can lead to great indicates that the Sisterhood has never
confidence, to overconfidence, and been a religious organization.
finally, to an ultimate loss of A two-part training program was
objectivity — to vanity and pride. pursued simultaneously by a candidate:
Therefore candidates were continually the training of the mind and the
evaluated and given tasks which forced training of the body. Thus a small child
them to work with people more skilled would spend hours learning the many
than themselves. Fundamentals of the languages in use in her culture, and
Way: A Bene Gesserit Mental Exercise later spend more hours sitting rock-
Book also includes exercises still, lowering her body temperature or
specifically designed to prevent vanity slowing her heartbeat, moving one
about the student's growing strength. muscle at a time as she catalogued the
For example, the third-year training stimulus/response pattern of her body.
section opens with this caution: "All The physical training program, the
proof inevitably leads to propositions prana-bindu school, is perhaps the best
which have no proof. All things are way to illustrate the unification of these
known because we want to believe in two primary branches of training.
them." The clearest analysis to date of
One interesting omission in all of the system is in Reverend Mother
the training was ethical or moral Maxius Oaire Beeghler's Prana and
philosophy or theology. The Bene Bindu: Control for Power, She
Gesserit was always known publicly as identifies the bask premise of the
a religious order, a mystic Sisterhood training as that found in an ancient
which espoused a belief in the Terran religion in which the path to the
supernatural control of the Great truth was called Sabda and closely
Mother. None of the available resembled what is known to the Bene
instructional material (and Irulan seems Gesserit as the "Way." Sabda allowed
to have kept all of her texts and an internal realization of truth which
 BENE GESSERIT TRAINING 191

identified the knower with an emotional condition at the time of

immutable reality. The Bene Gesserit synthesis — and totally perceive the
Way also identifies the knower with external sources — the environment of
reality, but denies immutability. Thus the speaker, the physical and psychic
the Bene Gesserit axiom: "The purpose gestalt of the speaker, the cultural
of argument is to change the nature of undertones of the language, and the
truth." The same conditioning actual overtones of the word sets being
processes, however, are used to attain used. In general, this technique of data
both Sabda and the Way. The key to collection, synthesis, and
both is achieving harmony and understanding was perfected after the
tranquility through establishing balance Butlerian Jihad. The aim was to replace
within the individual. This balance is thought machines with people who
achieved through tapas (austere were not only capable of instantaneous
regimens which control and organize logic computations, as were the
the psychic and physical forces of the machines, but who were also able to
body, and concentrate one's powers) assimilate sensory and emotional
and upsana (the meditation which information. Through a rational/
allows one to go deep within oneself to intuitive process, such people would
find the link between the internal come to conclusions that were human
forces, the point of balance between rather than mechanistic but objectively
knowing the body and knowing the detached rather than egotistically
mind). biased.
The mental self is trained Specifically, prana (nerve) and
through nayana — a discipline which bindu (muscle) training prepared one
controls reasoning. Nayana pairs for the state of concentration needed to
linguistics and logic in order that the understand the reality of a situation.
individual can distinguish between (This state of concentration is also
language and meaning. The student is essential to the Bene Gesserit
constantly taught that a sentence means observational skills and martial art
more than the meaning of the techniques.) To gain the proper attitude
individual words, that it includes the for complete concentration, one must
physical activity which accompanies first remove oneself, mentally if not
the act of speaking. The observer, physically, from all distractions. To do
therefore, must be able to "read" and this one uses relaxation techniques
"register" the gestalt of the speaker, which eliminate the distraction from
must be able to understand the extraneous stimuli. At this point in her
linguistic patterns of thought conveyed studies, the student also learns how to
through the immediate language, and distinguish primary information from
must be able to synthesize all these secondary or unessential information
channels instantly in order to — "to see the facts and discard the
understand completely what actually is ghafla." Once one has relaxed and has
being "said." Thus, in the process of begun to observe the proper
learning, the student must always information, one must learn to observe
completely control the internal sources closely and clearly. In this state of
— her own physical, mental, and observation one assimilates pertinent
 BENE GESSERIT TRAINING 192

data from the present situation and — the observer completely enclosing
recalls all pertinent data from memory. the topic. Third, one must be conscious
If possible, the observer next not of the techniques of observation,
assumes a positive physical posture of not of the presence of self, but of the
relaxation and concentration. When the topic — one must become the topic. At
analytical work is being done under the moment of unity, the observer
private, leisurely conditions, the person understands the topic as she
relaxes in one of thirty-three postures, understands herself. Thus, all
each appropriate to a specific type of knowledge depends on the observation
analytical work. In public situations, of detail and on one's body being
the observer assumes an immediate but trained to support close observation, on
unobtrusive ritualistic posture which objective classification and
calls the muscles and tissues into cataloguing, and on maximum
alertness. If under great stress or retention of data. Only complete
immobilized, one can alter this posture control of nerves and tissues, muscles,
to accommodate the restraints. Next, blood and chemistry, can detach one
one begins controlled breathing for enough from the demands of the self to
concentration, relaxation, and an allow objective detachment during the
oxygen supply sufficient to support observation, analysis, and synthesis
accelerated mental activity. Finally, as process. The control of the body leads
the last step before entering the to the purification of the mind
concentration mode one withdraws necessary to separate the real from the
sensory and emotional awareness from unreal.
all internal areas of distraction. In most Although the process of
cases the Sister performs a simple preparation, control, and analysis
calmness ritual, but in great danger, she seems complicated and time
recites the litany against fear to subdue consuming, after a woman has trained
any instinctual, primal terror, for ten years, first in the separate steps
particularly one stimulated by a race- and then in the entire process, she can,
memory fear. if necessary, perform the entire
Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little function in less than a second. One of
death that brings total obliteration. I will face
my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and
the controls learned is the ability to
through me. And when it has gone past me, I release oneself from the artificial
will turn to see fear's path. Where the fear has confines of the human notion of "time."
gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. There is no "time" in the concentration
At this point, the observer can mode — all activities can be managed
begin the concentration mode. simultaneously.
The concentration mode involves Once the basic processes have
three stages of observational analysis. been mastered, second-level functional
First, one must now severely limit the states can be invoked such as Dao,
attention to only the past and present Prajna, and Adab, Dao is the dormancy
data concerning the topic. Second, one trance, a type of bindu suspension in
must enter a state of total which an adept can slow her
contemplation in which the attention physiological activities to a level just
flows in a steady stream over the topic on the edge of life-maintenance, a
 BENE GESSERIT TRAINING 193

trance useful for survival under on this training but the extraordinary
threatening conditions and also knife and whip skills also require this
necessary to rejuvenate cells. The command of muscles and nerves.
Prajna meditation trance is used for Prana-bindu control can heal wounds
deep understanding and for the special and retard aging. The Bene Gesserit
state of "seeing" some Sisters are knew their cellular structure so
capable of performing (a state usually intimately that they could analyze and
augmented with enhancement by neutralize most poisons within then-
chemicals such as melange). Adab, on bodies. The great test of this ability
the other hand, is a retrieval process occurred during a woman's initiation as
accessible to all skilled Bene Gesserits; a Reverend Mother in neutralizing the
this state of recall is also called the "Water of Life" within her system.
"demanding memory," a recollection of Occasional women were found to have
necessary data stimulated externally or cellular allergies to and
by the gestalt of a situation rather than incompatibilities with the chemical and
being triggered consciously by the were unable to neutralize it, but
woman herself. Adab is different from fortunately this occurred rarely.
the "consciousness The training program had a
impression/complete recall" method second objective: the ability to control
used regularly to store and process others whether as individuals, masses,
data. The normal mnemonic process or cultures. The Bene Gesserit is taught
allows complete reproduction of any to "read" and "register" a person in
conversation, even simulating the tone order to manipulate him by Voice. In
and pitch control of the original "reading'' one observes and identifies
speaker (a practice always used by the clue tones which will control the
Sisters or novices who acted as other person. In "registering" one uses
messengers). But Adab not only stores a brief mnemonic trance to retain the
material in the subconscious, it also clue tones, making that person
uses the subconscious to integrate new controllable in future situations.
with stored data, thus producing Finally, through the use of rihani
completely accurate and logically decipherment, a Bene Gesserit can
assimilated memory, a memory so recognize a registered individual no
strong that when stimulated it will matter what overt change in behavior
overwhelm the woman's consciousness. or appearance he assumes. Rihani
Prana-bindu training is also used decipherment also allowed sisters to
by the adept in all the daily functions of unerringly identify Face Dancers and
her life. For example, the famous Bene gholas, even when they assumed the
Gesserit martial arts, the "weirding appearance of individuals unknown to
ways of battle," are based upon the Sister herself. The decipherment
complete prana-bindu control. The pattern allowed her to discern the non-
hand-to-hand combat techniques human characteristics.
retained from ancient Terran cultures Through Voice, a subtle
depend upon supreme muscle control manipulation of vocal tones, a Bene
for their astonishing ferocity. Not only Gesserit could manipulate individuals
the unarmed combat maneuvers depend or large groups by triggering clue
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 194

tones. Certain voice patterns trigger discipline is "Tactile Encoding

primal human responses, and the Methods." Though the techniques of
registered person could be controlled in setting and breaking palm locks is
any situation. Women specially gifted designated as an advanced course, there
with The Great Control could manage is evidence that each middle-school girl
any number of people in any situation, prided herself in mastering the
and could even control other Bene technique. Such primary regimens as
Gesserits. Particular subtleties of Voice the waiting stance, the sense-cleansing
usage are the Lie Adroit — regimen, and the tranquility mode were
manipulation through concealed taught to children in the kinder houses.
falsehood; the Zensunni Codex — a In general, the students were
play of words that confuses or obscures taught practical skills for the primary
the truth; and the implantation of Bene Gesserit occupations of breeding
autosuggestive cue words (for example, and espionage. The prana-bindu skills,
the most common word thus implanted the observational and analytical skills,
is "Uroshnor," a word itself empty of and the self-preservation skills were all
meaning, but which, when spoken, bases on which to develop the
triggers a state of immobilization). theoretical abilities needed in an
These techniques, however, are taught organization whose goal was the
only for specific professional work. accumulation and manipulation of
In order to learn how to control economic and political power.
large groups of people and even J.A.C.
cultures, during her final three years of Further references:
education a candidate enters a series of
x B.G. history;
x R.M. Darius Kate Clenhanan, Amor Fati: The
courses teaching the characteristics of Key to the Way, tr. Zhana Feliin, B.G.
mob behavior (e.g., history, politics, Inundation Studies 15 (Diana: Tevis);

anthropology, and mythology). Unless

x Ruuvars Shaigal, ed., Fundamentals of the
Way: A Bene Gesserit Mental Exercise Book
a woman is to be a political determiner (Grumman; Lodni).
when she graduates or is being
groomed for political roles within the BUTLER, JEHANNE
order, these courses are theoretical. For (And the history of the Butlerian
those who enter the Missionaria Jihad.)
Protectiva, however, a special training Parents unknown. Born Komos
program teaches the manipulation of (Eridani A 4) 230 B.G., died 182 B.G.;
cultural attitude through mythos- married T. Butler 205 B.G., no
implantation. Truthsayers, economists, children. Leader of revolt of Komos vs.
and women preparing to be MBAs are Richese, leader Butlerian Jihad 200
all trained in practical group B.G. — 182 B.G. Jehanne Butter gave
manipulation as well as in theory. her name to the Butlerian Jihad, one of
Of course, as a secondary part of the most enduring developments in the
the entire training program, candidates history of the race. As leader of the
are also taught survival techniques. For revolt of Komos against Richese, and
example, a rudimentary course is then of the Jihad for the first twenty
"Hand and Finger Signals," while a years of its course, she left an imprint
more advanced course in the same
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 195

on the minds of her followers which Logistos, she discovered within the
bespeaks an extraordinary personality: archives of the hospital evidence that
powerful, resolute, intuitive, and the hospital director — the first self-
merciful; to those who knew her she programming machine on Komos —
was little short of a saint, and after her had instituted a program of unjustified
death she became one in the minds of abortions. Armed with this information,
millions. As a result of the material she approached the priestesses of
produced by the excavations on Rakis Kubebe for their aid in creating a
we are able to transform her from a movement against the domination by
legend into an historical personality. Richese.
Jehanne was trained as a At the same time that these
priestess on Komos and also as a Bene overtures were being made to the
Gesserit. Rather than following the priestesses, Jehanne and Thet'r had
career of a priestess, either from her begun the formation of a secular
own decision or that of her order, she organization. Using Thet'r's
married Thet'r Butler, the Logistos of administrative abilities, and Jehanne's
Xania, one of the ten administrative gifts of rhetoric, amplified by her Bene
districts on Komos. In the same year as Gesserit schooling, a Front for the End
their marriage, (205 B.G.), Jehanne of Koman Exploitation was formed.
went to the capitol of Pylos to enter the Their movement was a speedy
hospital for the birth of a child. Since success, as was their request of the
both parents had married late in life for priestesses for aid. Contrary to some
their culture, they were especially eager cynical opinions, the priestesses were
for this birth. When on the delivery far too well entrenched within a society
table, Jehanne was anesthetized; when of believers for their position to have
she awoke, she and her husband were been threatened. Rather, the priestesses
informed that their daughter, Sarah, likely entered the struggle for the same
had been aborted. The hospital reason that the rest of the Komans did
explained that the fetus had been too — they were appalled by the evidence
deformed to survive. The abortion was Jehanne was able to put forward
described as therapeutic. concerning the actions of the hospital
Jehanne's control of her own director, and they agreed that the time
body, which as a result of her Bene had come to, move against Richese.
Gesserit training extended beyond The coup on Komos was the first
those muscle systems usually thought example of the organizational genius of
of as automatic, had permitted a deep Thet'r Butler and the tactical brilliance
knowledge of the growth of her child of Jehanne: the choice of the tribute
within the womb. She was convinced collection week as the occasion for the
that it was impossible for her child to coup, the seizure of the tribute fleet for
have been so grievously malformed as transport to Richese, the timing and
the hospital had described. In time, execution of a lengthy and intricate
Jehanne came to believe that her child's plan which achieved total surprise and
death had at best been unnecessary. an almost bloodless victory.
Using the access to official records The Komans went to Richese
provided by Thet'r's position as with nothing more than a successful
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 196

revolution in mind. They discovered the offense to the worship of the

there the extent to which their hospital Goddess.
director was simply a reflection of a At the mention of the Goddess,
state of society beyond their Demlen exploded in a fit of honest and
imagination. The degree to which acid outrage, and in his fury, after
machines controlled the population of suggesting that there was more worth
Richese, and had altered the emotional reverence in one of his machines than
and intellectual characteristics of its in the worship of "a supposed 'goddess'
inhabitants over centuries, was literally invented by a clutch of bucolic
incredible to the Komans. Many of bumpkins on a pigsty of a planet,"
them never entirely believed what they Demlen turned toward the icon of
saw there. Kubebe as if to spit on it. Before he
The revelations on Richese could commit the act, Urania had killed
produced a Jihad, but it was not him with her ceremonial knife.
Jehanne who made that decision. The That night the priestesses met in
priestesses of Kubebe were the council, and the next morning Jihad
principal forces behind the change began to be preached to the faithful of
which occurred in the ranks of the Komos, against "the thinking machines
rebels. They were motivated by their and all who find their gods within
interrogations of the chief programmers them."
and scientists of Richese, many of Far from being eager for this,
whom had been willing participants in Jehanne argued against it. Her
the actions of the machines in altering statements, insofar as we can construct
the population of Richese. Perhaps the them, seem to have anticipated much of
critical moment in these interrogations what was to happen in the coming
occurred during the questioning of a years — the growing ruthlessness of
Doctor G. Demlen by the chief the crusaders, the atrocities, the deaths
priestess of Komos, Urania. of so many innocents. But the
Demlen was an especially priestesses were not deterred. It was
arrogant and unrepentant man, whose not that they did not believe that these
disdain for his fellow man's things might happen. Rather, they
intelligence was equalled only by his resolved on the Jihad in spite of this
respect for his own — and that of his belief. Their horror before the
machines. As his quite prideful and discoveries of Richese, and the
voluntary description of his work on certainty that they would be duplicated
Richese droned on, Urania's feelings on other planets, their deep-rooted
overcame her training and her face outrage at the insult to their Goddess
began to betray her revulsion. and their religion — these made their
Ultimately even Demlen noticed, and minds firm. Too many analyses of the
interrupted his stream of self- origins of the Jihad have ignored this
congratulatory candor to ask what was motivation — the people of Komos
upsetting her. Urania told him his work believed their religion. So too did
violated fundamental principles of Jehanne; but her beliefs were tempered
respect for human life, not to mention with mercy and foresight to a degree
not true of the priestesses.
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 197

Jehanne could not have been One of the prominent features of

dislodged as the leader of the many of the operations of the fleet
movement, even had anyone wished it. during the first two decades of the
But from this moment there was a Jihad is best illustrated by the attack on
certain tension within the leadership of Illerda in 199 B.G. Simply through the
the Jihad. On the one hand there was use of extraordinarily clever shifts in
Jehanne, urging mercy and restraint; on the disposition of their forces, the
the other was Urania whose goal was crusaders forced the Illerdans to
the extirpation of any hint of machine abandon their moon, and then to
domination of humans, and who was surrender their entire planet. The
willing to sacrifice much, and many, to casualties were limited to the crews of
achieve it. The tension was resolved in two scout vessels that attempted to run
favor of Urania on Carthagos. the planetary blockade just before the
The transformation of the Jihad capitulation occurred. The operation
after Jehanne's death has been has remained a textbook example of the
discussed at length in the various distinction between the use of power
histories of the movement. These and the use of force, as these terms are
discussions have focused upon the understood in strategic analysis.
growing ruthlessness of the crusade, Examination of the history of the
and in so doing have failed to remark Jihad until the attack on Carthagos
upon certain changes in tactics which shows that this preference for the use
bear directly upon the question of the of power over the use of force is at the
nature of Jehanne's participation as heart of the planning of the Jihad
leader. during these years. Rather than
Certain characteristics of the crushing opponents by the
plans of the fleet did not change after overwhelming application of the force
Jehanne's death. The various actions of of the vessels and troops of the Jihad
the horde, whether investing an entire fleet, the threat of such an attack was
planet or striking at an outpost, used to compel the surrender of the
continued to show the effects of enemy. Intelligent use of "power" treats
meticulous planning and brilliant staff force as a tool best used when it
work. Logistical support for all remains implicit. One's superior
operations remained virtually flawless, strength is used, not to obliterate an
and the timing and arrangements of enemy, but to force surrender, ideally
often complicated maneuvers involving without battle. While this ideal was
hundreds of vessels showed a degree of only approached in the campaign off
foresight and sound training seldom Illerda, many of the actions of the Jihad
equaled in military history. These through the early years show this
observations, coupled with the survival principle in their conception. The
of Thet'r Butler have prompted many to attack on Thapsus in 196 B.G., and that
conclude that the true leader of the against Parlon in 191 B.G., are cases in
rebellion was Thet'r, and not Jehanne. point: the combined casualties to the
A full analysis of the tactical history of Jihad forces in these actions could not
the Jihad will not support this have exceeded ten thousand, and may
argument, however. have been considerably lower.
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 198

Indeed, Jehanne's military career limited, and clearly any war would be
began and ended with operations of this protracted and severely damaging to
sort. The attack on Carthagos presented the planet. In sum, an excellent basis
the same tactical situation as had that for a negotiated settlement had been
on Illerda, and was already unfolding established, and under normal
along identical lines. The Sarah III was circumstances would in all likelihood
leading a maneuver designed to place have been reached. One did not ensue
the forces defending the moon of because of the machine domination of
Carthagos in an untenable position, Richese, which introduced an utterly
while leaving the path of retreat to the unexpected element into the relations
planet open. Once the Carthagans were between the two armies. But if the
isolated on their planet, blockade opponents of the Komans had been
would have produced the same result as normal and human, the outcome of the
on Illerda — surrender. The extinction war might well appear to us as another
of the planet's population resulted from instance when the planning of a
the flagship's encounter with an military genius had achieved a victory
undetected mine and the tidal wave of with extraordinarily low loss of life.
rage that swept the fleet when The pattern is clear: from her
Jehanne's fate was learned. It was not first battle to her last, the actions
part of the plan of the campaign. Jehanne participated in bear an
Thus, the last operation Jehanne unmistakable imprint. These are battles
directed bore this characteristic stamp. planned and led by a tactical genius,
And so too did the first. The ravaging whose concern for the lives of her
effects of the war on Richese have soldiers and of her enemies is the
obscured the fundamental nature of the dominant element. And, in spite of the
plan which the Komans followed. But, fact that Thet'r survived his wife, after
if one considers the situation on the disaster off Carthagos this stamp
Richese within two days of the arrival disappears from the campaigns of the
of the tribute fleet, the tactical position Jihad.
of the Komans versus the forces of As noted, though, fee staff work
Richese shows the same sensitivity to retained its characteristic level of
the uses of force and of power. efficiency. This should not be
In only three days standard, surprising, for Thet'r continued as chief
virtually the entire population of of staff for the Jihad. New generals
Komos had been transported to were sought, and within the next few
Richese, and the Richesan navy had years several different individuals led
been captured by the Komans. The the crusade, but the execution of their
army of Richese then faced the plans remained in the same superbly
prospect of a war with an opponent capable hands.
several million strong, on the territory The arguments which oppose
of Richese, and in control of the only this view are not founded upon
space vessels. Under such examination of the evidence of the
circumstances, in spite of the far events of the Jihad. Rather, they base
greater size of the Richesan army, the themselves upon certain assertions
prospects for victory were extremely regarding the inability of a woman, or
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 199

of women, to lead such a force as the Jihad. And for the Komans, religious
Jihad, or to plan such actions as the matters necessarily involved the
attacks on Richese and Illerda. These leadership of women. We should be
arguments have in common their surprised, then, if the leadership of this
ignorance of the society of Komos, and Koman crusade had not been female.
the position of women within it. These points, which should be
Unlike many societies, that of transparently simple, have been
Komos had for centuries granted, to obscured by the socio-sexual biases of
women an especially important most of those who have approached the
function, one not bounded by the home problems posed by the leadership of the
and hearth. One refers, of course, to the Jihad. (One must hasten to add that by
maintenance of the religious well-being no means all of these scholars are
of the people. Not only was the male.)
worship of the chief deity of the planet The concentration upon the
in the hands of women, but the sacred matter of sex in the leadership of the
life of the family, which was the center Jihad has also distracted attention from
of Koman society, was the charge of other, more important questions. One
the women- of the family. The males should ask not "Why a woman?" but
controlled the life of the farm or the rather "Why this woman?" and "Why
ranch, and the land was passed on did she succeed?" The answers to these
through the male line, but the women questions must be sought within
saw to the religious health of the family Jehanne herself and within her society.
— a power which, to the Koman way The simplest answer to the
of thinking, involved nothing less than question "Why this woman?" is of
the survival of the family. course, that it was her child who was
The point of this should be murdered. But this is obviously
obvious: the Komans were used to inadequate. These abortions had been
following the leadership of the women going on for two years, but Jehanne
of their society, especially when was the first we know of to suspect the
matters of religion were involved. This hospital and act on that suspicion.
was the case with the rebellion, which There may have been others, but
began because of the abortions Jehanne is the one we know of because
performed by the hospital director, and she succeeded. Thus stated, the matter
which struck directly at a religious of the death of Sarah Butler is placed in
issue, the survival of the family line. perspective; it was the motivation for
Once the movement had spread to Jehanne and Thet'r, but it was not the
Richese, the religious basis expanded. reason for their success. Their
The actions of the machines were seen rebellion, which produced Jihad, the
by the priestesses and by the Komans secret of her leadership — those are to
as an affront not only to principles of be found in the combination of the
humanity, but also to their Goddess, social characteristics of Komos and the
Kubebe. It was the priestesses who first character of Jehanne Butter.
preached Jihad. Indeed, had there been One has only to remember the
no religious basis for this movement, it descriptions of Jehanne's presence and
would by definition not have been a its effect on others. Her personality
 BUTLER, JEHANNE 200

seems to have had such a strong impact Both of these women, for the
on those she encountered that it could most intense of personal reasons,
be felt physically; many compared defied their order, the Bene Gesserit.
meeting her for the first time to the To please her Duke, out of her love for
sensation of being struck. The emotions him, Jessica bore a son rather than the
produced in others were not those daughter that had been enjoined. Out of
associated with fear, however. The her grief for her dead daughter,
words most often used to describe her Jehanne embarked upon, a rebellion
presence asserted a combination of which she proposed to lead. This
compassion and intelligence so great as violated one of the most ancient of
to produce what one observer, in a Bene Gesserit proscriptions, that
phrase later known to billions, saw as against the public involvement of their
"a living flame of a woman." members as social leaders of any sort.
But this was not fire as the The dangers of exposure of the order
devourer, it was flame as the beacon, under these circumstances were
fee guide. This flame led the crusade manifest, yet Jehanne persisted. After
for twenty years. When it died, the Richese, with the launching of a Jihad,
Jihad became the flame itself, and this the exposure of the order became a
would be the fire of destruction. virtual certainty, but by then all the
Two points remain to be made. priestesses of Komos were involved
First of all, no matter how unusual a also.
person Jehanne might have been, the Twice in the history of the order,
genesis and success of the Jihad are not then, the severest strictures of the Bene
explainable solely by reference to any Gesserit have been violated by one of
individual. Even such a person as their own Sisterhood, acting in
Jehanne could not have led a successful response to intense personal
crusade of this sort had it not been for motivation. It would seem that even the
the peculiar combination of conditions most compelling program of education
offered by the planet of Komos and its and motivation ever devised, that of the
relation to Richese. How many such Bene Gesserit, is not enough to
rebellions, led perhaps by men or completely extinguish the
women as unusual as Jehanne, failed independence of mankind. Our history
for lack of the circumstances that has taught us to be thankful for this.
produced the "agar for rebellion" that EM.
obtained on Komos? We shall never Further references:
know, for they did fail, and even the
x Butlerian Jihad;
x Lors Karden, The Flame and the Flower: A
folk-memory of Leto II cannot rescue Short History of the Butlerian Jihad (Yorba:
them from time. Rose);

But this is not to deny Jehanne

x Th. Breno Patrick, The Kubeban Heresy, Vol.
52, Patrologia Diasporae (Libermann: Miller);
her due. Nothing can deny her that. She x Harq al-Ada, The Butlerian Jihad (Work-in-
is the equal of Jessica, the mother of Progress, Arrakis Studies Temporary Series
283: Lib. Conf.).
Paul Muad'Dib, in her effect on human
history, and this comparison brings us
to our second and final point.
 BUTLERIAN JIHAD ("THE GREAT REVOLT"); ITS CAUSE AND EFFECT 201

BUTLERIAN JIHAD ("THE GREAT each wave breaks and recedes, but the
REVOLT"); ITS CAUSE AND series of waves creeps higher and
EFFECT higher on the beach until high tide is
reached. Should someone wish to
Before the rise of the Atreides, divert the waters of the high tide for
historians argued endlessly whether human purposes, the task would be
great people made great events or great impossible during the ebb. Likewise in
events made great people. The impact human affairs, he argued. A popular
on history of Muad'Dib and the readiness for change is aimless without
Emperor Leto renders the question capable leadership; but' the great leader
moot, but before those tremendous without ready support ends in
personalities, the question is obscurity. However, when human
legitimately raised. We face the genius combines with movement in the
question specifically when we consider tides of the people, new directions
events as pivotal as those that occurred result. Such a combination was the
between 200 and 108 B.G.: Did a vast Butlerian Jihad.
sea-change in the human ocean Sheivvun was the first historian
produce Jehanne Butler (see Butler, to point out that the Empire rested on a
Jehanne), or did this remarkable and tripedal structure, consisting of House
luminescent woman by her will shift Corrino (backed by the Sardaukar), the
the currents of humanity? Spacing Guild, and CHOAM. The
Even the name we use for the Jihad cleared the way for the
period implies an answer to the establishment of all three of the
question: If we call those events "The organizations, none of which had
Butlerian Jihad," we side with the existed, before the Great Revolt. In
historians who define as "great" those researching the conditions that led to
individuals who move the mass of the foundation of the Empire, Sheivvun
humankind in a new direction; if we was necessarily drawn to considering
use the term "The Great Revolt," we the events that had cleared the path. He
ally ourselves with those who see began by examining the systems of
"leaders" as simply the front rank of a commerce and government.
humanity moving in the direction the Trade depends, of course, on
masses determine. transportation, and politics on
Historians close to those events communication. Born of these
also speculated on this same question. functions, prior to the Great Revolt,
The writings of one of them, recently were coordinated by computers — both
discovered, shows how that turning the patchwork of larger and smaller
point was viewed in the calm groups of planetary systems and the
immediately following it. Kruwl traders who served them depended on
Sheivvun (c.113-185) served as faster-than-light ships whose progress
Imperial Historian under Saudir H. hi through hyperspace was controlled by
his major work, The Founding of the computers.
Empire, Sheivvun speculates on the For example, consider
Jihad, employing the metaphor of Transcom, a trading corporation lasting
waves as affected by the tides. At flow, for almost seven thousand years: the
 BUTLERIAN JIHAD ("THE GREAT REVOLT"); ITS CAUSE AND EFFECT 202

all-but-overwheming amounts of data thousand worlds could create. These

processed in split-seconds during groupings varied in size from a handful
hyperspatial travel led Transcom to of worlds to mighty parliaments of
direct its ships from a central hundreds of systems. Yet every one
computer-bank, Centrans, located on an depended on communication: should
artificial satellite, Xenophon. As a ship one member of a federation be
entered hyperspace, its destination was endangered, the call for help was sent
transmitted to Centrans via Holtzman forth by automatic and self-repairing
Waves. During the ship's progress to machines. Without those machines,
pre-designated points en route, communication was slow and chancy,
Centrans processed the information and and planets were left to their own
prepared course corrections. When the resources.
ship reached the first "mail drop," it The Great Houses survived the
reentered normal space and received political chaos of the Great Revolt
course updates from Centrans. The (indeed, some profited from it), and
computer-bank simultaneously handled many saw the thousands of divided
routing for Transcom's more-than- planets as ripe fruit for plucking.
twelve-thousand ships; during its long Almost as many reached for the fruit,
history, various mercantile associations and warfare raged for a century as
subscribed to Transcom's service — the would-be emperors scrambled for an
Van Rijn combine, Asconel, Far imperial crown. The Corrinos emerged
Traveler Couriers, and many others. as victors, but the early members of
With a clear perception of the that house little realized what a debt
indispensability of the communications they owed to the Butlerian Jihad: even
satellites, the crusaders of the Jihad the legendary Sardaukar would have
struck early at Xenophon and similar been little match for a unified and
establishments. The result was organized counterattack from a
immediate and final: the utter collapse confederacy of hundreds of worlds. But
of regular interstellar trade. Had the Jihad, smashing first interstellar
Transcom (and companies like it) not communications, razed large and small
been destroyed by the Jihad, there governments planet by planet, leaving
would have been no transportation only rubble, ready for reassembly by
vacuum for the Spacing Guild to fill. the nimblest barbarian.
As with trade, so with The Butlerian Jihad, then,
government. Political organization prepared the way for the establishment
before the Jihad took many forms, of the Empire; in the same way, the
although few planets were absolutely Great Revolt was itself prepared for by
independent. Most, together with their centuries of smaller waves rising to
nearest neighbors, formed federations, high tide.
confederations, unions, pastorates, A shadowy figure of whom we
hierarchies, feudocracies, know only a name — Dulden — enters
neofeudocracies, coalitions, the historical record in 711 B.G. as the
commonwealths, colonial empires, founder of a group called "Humanity
autonomous dominions — every form First," organized to promote less
of association that the ingenuity of ten reliance on computers and to advocate