2. The Plagues
• Death plagues came to Iceland from
abroad through seaways.
• The worst plagues came in 1402 and
1707.
• It´s estimated that around 30% of the
population died in the years 1402-1403.
• It´s estimated that around 25% of the
population died in the years 1707-1709.
3. The English century
• In the 15th century the British sailed to
Iceland to get fish.
• The British took over all the Icelandic
market and sold them most of the things
they needed.
• Icelanders got into better touch with
British culture.
4. The German century
• After the British killed a high Icelandic
official the Danish king decided that the
British had to go.
• The Germans came instead and took over
the markets in the 16th century. Among
other things they taught the Icelander to
drink beer.
5. Jón the Indian Traveler
• There were always people who wanted to see
what was on the other side of the ocean.
• One of the most famous was Jón who was
called the Indian traveler.
• Jon was an adventurer who sailed widely
around Europe.
• Jon went to Tranquebar in India (Danish
colony) in 1622 on a Danish war ship.
• He wrote many books but the most famous
one was about his trip to India.
6. The Turkish Invasion
• Through the centuries the Atlantic ocean protected Icelanders
from European wars.
• Sometimes sailors from abroad got into conflict with Icelanders.
• The biggest blow came in 1627 when pirates from the Turkish
empire kidnapped lot of Icelanders.
• They sold them as slaves in North Africa.
• Some people were bought back to Iceland.
