What is the story to the elder scrolls?

So I was planning on buying The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim but I'd like to know the storyline to the series so far. Does each game have its own seperate story line or is each game a different part of the same story? I'd like to know all the details, spoilers included from games 1-4 seeing as how I'm just going to skip straight to skyrim. Thanks :)What is the story to the elder scrolls?
from what i can see none of them have any thing in common on the story line so if you wanted to start off on skyrim you will not be missing any thing or much at all

mgm grand

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