The edict was issued in 1615 after a storm destroyed three Basque whaling vessels on an expedition in Iceland. Eighty members of the crew survived, said Gudmundsson, and were left stranded in the area. “They had nothing to eat, and there were accounts of them robbing people and farmers,” he said.
The brewing conflict between locals and the whalers prompted then-sheriff Ari Magnússon to draw up a decree that allowed Basques to be killed with impunity in the district. In the weeks that followed, more than 30 Basques were killed in raids led by the sheriff and local farmers. “It’s one of the darkest chapters of our history,” said Gudmundsson, noting that the incident known as the Slaying of the Spaniards ranks among the country’s bloodiest massacres.
Four centuries later, Gudmundsson decided it was time to set right the wrongs of history. Last week, at the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to the Basque whalers who were killed, he repealed the decree. “This decision was made 400 years ago and it has never formally been repealed until now.”
This is horrible but I can't help but laugh. "Okay, about 80 people are stuck here because their ships ran aground last night. No one knows they're here, so they have no way to leave unless we help them, so the logical decision here is to simply murder them until there are none left. All in favor of this, say aye!"
Basques are indigenous to, and primarily inhabit, an area traditionally known as the Basque Country (Basque: Euskal Herria)—a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.
The Basque language, also known as Euskara, is a language isolate and the last remaining language descended from pre-Indo-European roots after all the others were displaced during the Bronze Age. Though it borrows a lot of vocabulary from other languages now, its roots predate both Romance and Celtic languages.
Is it known that it predates Celtic? I thought people didn't know much about the history of the language since nothing was written, just roughly where and when because of archaeology.
Boise, Idaho hosts a sizable Basque population and features a couple of nice restaurants that feature their cuisine. Basque who emigrated to Idaho have traditionally been sheep-herders and some still work in herding professions.
Basque sports are a huge part of the culture, especially the traditional sport of pelota. There are many variations of this court-based ball game that has been played for centuries.
The Basque language, Euskara, is a language isolate - it is not related to any other known language. It is considered one of Europe's oldest languages.
The Basque region straddles the border between Spain and France along the Bay of Biscay. On the Spanish side it consists of the provinces of Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Álava and parts of Navarre.
Yes, but that's a different word. I just don't feel it's good enough. If they'd said something about having all your Basques in one exit, then we'd be onto something.
Thanks! "The Slaying of the Spaniards" sounds like something out of Borat, but it shows how we take things like international rescue operations for granted these days
The law was repealed in 2015 apparently: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/29/basques-safe-iceland-district-repeals-decree-kill-on-sight
There are no countries without a dark chapter in their history. At some point every coutry had a shitty person in power.
And btw it took them 400 years to repeale it?! fuck
In 2015 they're like
"Oh yeah we forgot about that law."
"That would probably explain all the massacred bodies laying around everywhere. We oughtta do something about that."
Lol yes
I guess some laws can be forgotten. From 1800 to 2013, there was a french law that banned women from wearing pants in Paris : http://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2012/qSEQ120700692.html
And they call themselfs the fashion capital
This is horrible but I can't help but laugh. "Okay, about 80 people are stuck here because their ships ran aground last night. No one knows they're here, so they have no way to leave unless we help them, so the logical decision here is to simply murder them until there are none left. All in favor of this, say aye!"
Language barrier makes it harder to ask for help
No no I was agreeing with you. They try to negotiate, all the Icelander see is 30 strangers in their property...end badly
In 2015? Wow! Iceland is again, like always, ahead of its time
Those Basquerds.
I'd like more Basque facts please
The Basque language, also known as Euskara, is a language isolate and the last remaining language descended from pre-Indo-European roots after all the others were displaced during the Bronze Age. Though it borrows a lot of vocabulary from other languages now, its roots predate both Romance and Celtic languages.
Is it known that it predates Celtic? I thought people didn't know much about the history of the language since nothing was written, just roughly where and when because of archaeology.
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Boise, Idaho hosts a sizable Basque population and features a couple of nice restaurants that feature their cuisine. Basque who emigrated to Idaho have traditionally been sheep-herders and some still work in herding professions.
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I couldn't recommend this book any more. It was so interesting.
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Why does the guy on the right look like Dr Phill
If he had a goatee, maybe.
See also any Scotsmen visiting York while carrying a bow and arrow
And Englishmen being allowed to kill Welsh people on Sundays, or something like that.
Why did they pass a law making it legal to kill soup?
I don't understand why this is a joke. You know a Basque isn't a type of soup.
i think it's a play on the word "bisque", which is a type of soup.
Yes, but that's a different word. I just don't feel it's good enough. If they'd said something about having all your Basques in one exit, then we'd be onto something.
Yes it's awful, but it's definitely a joke. Lobster Basque? Get out of here with that.
Wait... aren't we going to try to find out why?
There is an answer now in another comment (just wanted to give you a notification)
Thanks! "The Slaying of the Spaniards" sounds like something out of Borat, but it shows how we take things like international rescue operations for granted these days