This post continues from False Myth #5

The Basques have been oppressed by the Castilians

Against this false myth one can only oppose facts and figures. The Chancellors, Councilors, Ministers, Prime Ministers / Presidents of the Government, Admirals, Generals, General Captains, Viceroys and other political leaders of Basque origin could be counted in hundreds throughout the centuries.

If anything one could argue is that the Basques haven’t been but privileged Spaniards, much to their merit and preparation. With the Hasburg dynasty, for example, the Basques constituted a bureaucratic and governmental privileged 'caste'. And historians will confirm how the Basques legitimated and defended this status by presuming of being more Spanish than anybody, boasting about being the true native Spanish, of pure and unpolluted Spanish blood.

Leaving many out, we can still just name a few of the many well-known Basques in the history of Spain:

· Diego López de Haro, the Lord of Vizcaya, vanguard of the Castilian army in the battle of “Navas the Tolosa” against Muslims.
· Pedro López de Ayala, the chancellor of Castille
· Juan Sebastian Elcano, the sailor of Guetaria that succeeded in giving Spain the honour of making the first trip around the globe
· Legazpi, sailor of Zumárraga and conqueror of Filipinas
· Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuits
· The Oquendos, a saga of Basque sailors that was distinguished in so many battles in the XVI and XVII centuries fighting for the Spanish Armada
· Blas de Lezo, Admiral of Pasajes, victorious over the English in Cartagena de Indias; the one that threatened to reduce Genoa to ashes if their citizens didn't pay their debts to the crown and didn't salute in the correct manner the flag of Spain.
· Churruca, the sailor of Motrico, hero of Trafalgar
· Arriaga, the “Spanish Mozart”
· Zumalacárregui, the Carlist general that declared his sorrow because 'Spanish people have been armed against other Spanish'
· Miguel de Unamuno, Ramiro de Maeztu and Pio Baroja (three brilliant writers and fierce enemies of nationalists
· …

All of them felt attached to their land, their roots and their background. They were Basque and Spanish, Spanish because they were Basque. None of them ever felt linked to a non-existent Basque State or Nation.