Vestmannaeyjar Pirate Raids
Vestmannaeyjar Pirate Raids
In July 1627, Algerian pirates raided the defenceless Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) and for three days terrorized the island's inhabitants. Landing on the exposed south shore of Heimaey they embarked on a killing spree that left 36 people dead, including a priest.
During the raid, some 200 islanders took refuge in caves around the island, one of which is still known as Hundraðmannahellir ‘The Cave of the One Hundred’.
Ransacking the impoverished Icelanders' settlements would have yielded small returns but the pirates had another plan. They abducted 242 inhabitants to be sold as slaves in North Africa.
Among them was the priest Olafur Egilsson who was later released and returned to Copenhagen to plead for ransom funds from the King of Denmark. Thanks to his efforts a further 27 Icelanders were able to return home ten years after their capture.