by Karl Smári Hreinsson (Author), Adam Nichols (Author)
In the early seventeenth century, Skálholt-the seat of the Bishop of South, West, and East Iceland-was one of the largest communities on the island. It housed not only a cathedral but also a school (Skálholtsskóli). Graduates of Skálholtsskóli played important roles in Icelandic history, becoming Schoolmasters, Government Officials, and Bishops.
In the summer of 1627, some of them became captives of the infamous Barbary corsairs.
That summer, Barbary corsairs from Salé and Algiers raided Iceland, capturing close to 500 people-men, women, and children-and hauling them all back to North Africa to be auctioned off into slavery. This raid is known in Iceland as the Tyrkjaránið.
