Joanes or the Basque Whaler #3

Plot

As far as we know in the Basque Country alone there are 3 skull-Chalices, The chalices are relics of 3 saints that are used as sacred goblets, filled with sacramental wine or with water as some kind of "miracle" work for the treatment of head illnesses . These are ; Saint Victor of Fauma, in Alava and in Navarre Saint Gregory of Sorlada, and Saint William ( Guillermo) of Obanos.

The Church was a very important patron of commercial whaling, and had great economics links with the industry. The first testimony referring to Basque whaling goes back to the year 670 A.D. when Basques from Labourd shipped 40 barrels of oil for lighting to the Abby of Jumieges, on the banks of the the river Seine, France.

Later in 870 A.D. another reference to the basque whaling industry was made in the translations and miracles of saint Waast.

The church of Santa Maria of Lekeitio built in the XVI th century, is a noteworthy example of the late Biscay gothic style. The town of lekeitio became a booming whaling and privateering port throughout the middle ages and the renaissance.

Bayonne's cathedral, Saint Marie, was entirely funded by its whaling industry.