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Show 1881.] THE BASQUE PROVINCES OF SPAIN. 971 place in the list: " Cargo de Boquinas-BarBas de Ballenas 2 dineros." The same privileges were extended by Alfonso VIII. of Castille to Fuenterrabia in 1203, and to Motrico and Guetaria in 1204. Ferdinand III., in a royal order dated at Burgos the 28th September 1237, gave similar priviliges to Zarauz. And this document contains further proof of the antiquity of the whale-fishery ; for a claim is made that, in accordance with custom (" sicut forum est"), the King should have a slice of each whale, along the backbone, from the head to the tail. The custom here referred to indicates the antiquity of the fishery. At Guetaria it was the custom to give the first fish of the season to the King, who usually returned half. Another proof of the importance of the whale-fishery on the northern coast of Spain, and probably also of its antiquity, is the fact that no less than six of the towns have a whale for their coat of arms. This charge is in the arms of Fuenterrabia. Over the portal of the first house in the steep old street of Guetaria there is a shield of arms consisting of a whale amidst waves of the sea. At Motrico the town arms consist of a whale in the sea, harpooned, and a boat with men holding the line. The same device is carved on the wall of the Town Hall of Lequeitio. The arms of Bermeo and Castro-Urdiales also contain a whale. I was assured that vigias or look-out posts were established on the headlands, and high up the mountains overlooking the fishing-towns, whence notice was given directly a whale was seen spouting in the offing; and soon the boats were in pursuit. On the mountain of Talaya-mendi (" Look-out mountain") above Zarauz, there are some ruined walls, which, according to Madoz, are the remains of one of these watch-towers, whence warnings were sent down the moment a whale was in sight. In some of the towns there are records which throw light on the whale-fishery ; but (chiefly during the French occupation) most of the ancient archives have been destroyed or are lost. Fortunately this is not universally the case. In the town of Lequeitio eight of the "UBros defaBrica" or fabric rolls of the church, commencing from the year 1510, have been preserved, which contain much interesting information. The most ancient document relating to whales in the Lequeitio archives is dated September 11th, 1381. It is there ordered and agreed by the CaBildo that the whalebone taken shall be divided into three parts, two for repairing the boat-harbour, and the third for the fabric of the church. The same order is repeated in another document dated 1608. In the "UBros defaBrica de la iglesia de Lequeitio" there is a list of the whales killed, in various years, by the boats of Lequeitio, from 1517 to 1661. 1517. Two whales killed. 1525. Eeturns in money value. 1531. January and February, two large and one small whale killed. 1532. None killed. |