Time of Isolation

The Time of Isolation was a period on the planet Barrayar in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci-fi series, the Vorkosigan Saga.

Duration

The Time of Isolation lasted around 700 years on Barrayar. It started some time after Earth colonists first found Barrayar, and ended when a new wormhole route to Komarr was discovered. The Time of Isolation ended largely with the first Cetagandan Invasion.

Cause

Originally, colonists from Earth took a wormhole to Barrayaran local space. They started to settle the planet. Then, the wormhole collapsed. As far as anyone knew, the only way into Barrayar had just disappeared. This event was believed to be a natural phenomenon.

Eventually, a new wormhole route through a series of five jumps was found that led from Komarr to Barrayar, thus ending the Time of Isolation.

Effects

The Time of Isolation is a sizable portion of Barrayaran history. It affected the evolution of culture on Barrayar and consequently affected the current state of affairs on Barrayar.

Effects of isolation on the formation of Barrayaran culture

Effects of Recontact with other Planets on Barrayaran culture

Barraryar is gradually changing in response to galactic contact. New technologies are gradually being accepted, and sex roles are becoming less rigid. It still maintains its feudal form of government headed by an emperor.

Effects of isolation on the current state of Barrayar

Notable events during the Isolation