New Era was the term used during what is now known as the First Era to refer to the 2920 years between the end of the Merethic Era and the start of the Second Era.
History[]
The term New Era was coined by King Eplear I Camoran after founding House Camoran and declaring himself King of Valenwood, and was intended to signal the start of a new age. For unknown reasons, the term caught on and rapidly spread among merchants and travellers, eventually being adopted by the neighboring Ayleid Empire, which largely held cultural dominance over the continent of Tamriel. However, some scholars such as Sapiarch X, believe the adoption of New Era by the Empire was in reality politically motivated. After its adoption by the Empire, other kingdoms of Tamriel soon followed.
New Era was used throughout what we now call the First Era, though many scholars of the time posited that the term 'First Era' should be used instead, as the emergence of a second Era seemed like an inevitability. This was eventually proved true when Versidue Shaie, the Akaviri Potentate of the Second Empire, declared the begining of a new Era following his ascendency to the Ruby Throne of Cyrodiil.
Usage of New Era gradually diminished, a process made easier given the Second Empire's vast territories on Tamriel. By the mid-Second Era usage of 'First Era' was commonplace.