In 1627, Iceland faced a significant crisis known as the Turkish Abductions, when Barbary pirates raided the island and abducted nearly 300 Icelanders into slavery. This event revealed Iceland's vulnerability, as Denmark, which ruled Iceland at the time, provided little protection. Icelanders lacked modern weaponry, making it difficult to defend against these pirate attacks. While local officials and Icelanders fought back where they could, including defending Bessastaðir and forming militias with the king's approval, the raids exposed Iceland’s limited defense capabilities and the failure of Danish forces to effectively protect the island.
The Turkish Abductions left a lasting impact on Icelandic history, as it highlighted both the threat of external attacks and the inadequacy of Denmark's military support for its distant dependency. This led to increased efforts by Icelanders to organize local defenses, but also fueled discontent with Danish rule.