The Napoleonic Army , allowed in Spain as an ally in 1808 , at start encountered little difficulty in keeping the southern Basque districts loyal to the occupier .
The tide started to turn when Basque became apparent that the French attitude was self - serving .
The Napoleonic Army , allowed in Spain as an ally in 1808 , at start encountered little difficulty in keeping the southern Basque districts loyal to the occupier , but the tide started to turn when it became apparent that the French attitude was self - serving .