Eric the Red from Arngrímur Jónsson's Gronlandia. Note anachronistic details in his weapons and armor.

Erik the Red (950–c. 1003) (Old Norse: Eiríkr rauði; Icelandic: Eiríkur rauði; Norwegian: Eirik Raude; Danish: Erik den Røde;Swedish: Erik Röde; Faroese: Eirikur (hin) reyði) founded the first Nordic settlement in Greenland. Born in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway as the son of Þorvaldr Ásvaldsson (Thorvald Asvaldsson), he therefore also appears, patronymically, as Erik Thorvaldsson (or as Eiríkr Þorvaldsson). The appellation "the Red" most likely refers to his hair color.^[1] Look up ladder in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Arngrímur Jónsson the Learned Arngrímur Jónsson the Learned (Icelandic: Arngrímur Jónsson lærði) was a scholar that lived in Iceland from 1568 until 1648. ... An anachronism (from Greek ana, back, and chronos, time) is an artifact that belongs to another time, a person who seems to be displaced in time (i. ... Events World Population: 250 Million. ... Events Sweyn I of Denmark begins his first invasion of England. ... Old Norse or Danish tongue is the Germanic language once spoken by the inhabitants of the Nordic countries (for instance during the Viking Age). ... Political map of the Nordic countries and associated territories. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Colonialism. ... Sculpture in stone of Arne Garborg, located at his home in Knudaheio Jæren is a coastal landscape stretching some 65 kilometers in the south-western part of Norway. ... Rogaland is a county in Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. ... Þorvaldr Ásvaldsson was the father of the discoverer of Greenland, Eiríkr Rauði (Erik the Red) and grandfather of Leifr Eiríksson, who visited North America centuries before Christopher Columbus. ... Look up patronymic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Exiles

Erik the Red's parents had to flee Norway because of "some killings" as The Saga of Eric the Red recounts. The family settled in western Iceland. The Icelanders later sentenced Erik to a three-year exile for several murders around the year 982. According to The Saga of Eirik the Red, his neighbour Thorgest borrowed a shovel and when it did not come back to Erik, he sought an explanation. When Thorgest refused to return it, Erik stole the shovel back. In the ensuing chase, he killed Thorgest. A second crime laid at Erik's door occurred when he insisted upon revenge for the deaths of his slaves who had "accidentally started a landslide" on Valthjof's farm. Valthjof murderously punished the slaves for this misfortune. Erik did not take kindly to this and so slew Valthjof. The Icelanders eventually convicted Erik of these murders and banished him from Iceland. This event led him and a group of followers to travel to the lands nearly 500 miles west of Iceland. The Saga of Eric the Red is a saga about Eric the Red. ... Events Greenland founded by Erik the Red ; first contact of Europeans with North America Births Emma of Normandy Atisha the Bengali Buddhist Saint Deaths Categories: 982 ... Slave redirects here. ... See Exile (disambiguation) for other meanings. ...

Discoveries

Even though popular history credits Erik as the founder of Greenland, earlier Norsemen both discovered and tried to settle it before him. Tradition credits Gunnbjörn Ulfsson (also known as Gunnbjörn Ulf-Krakuson) with the first sighting of the land-mass. Nearly a century earlier, strong winds had driven Gunnbjörn towards a land he called "Gunnbjarnarsker" ("Gunnbjörn's skerries"). But the accidental nature of Gunnbjörn's discovery has led to his neglect in the history of Greenland. After Gunnbjörn, Snaebjörn Galti had also visited Greenland. According to records from the time, Galti headed the first Norse attempt to colonize Greenland, an attempt that ended in disaster. Erik the Red was the first permanent European settler. Gunnbjörn Ulfsson (Norwegian, flourished circa 10th century), name also given as Gunnbjörn Ulf-Krakuson, was the first European to sight North America. ... Snaebjörn Galti was the first norwegian to find Greenland,although wasnt the first man. ...

In this context, about 982, Erik sailed to a somewhat mysterious and little-known land. He rounded the southern tip of the island (later known as Cape Farewell) and sailed up the western coast. He eventually reached a part of the coast that, for the most part, seemed ice-free and consequently had conditions—similar to those of Iceland—that promised growth and future prosperity. According to the Saga of Erik the Red, he spent his three years of exile exploring this land. He named this land "Greenland" because he wanted to attract other people to it. The first winter he spent on the island of Eiriksey, the second winter he passed in Eiriksholmar (close to Hvarfsgnipa). In the final summer he explored as far north as Snaefell and in to Hrafnsfjord.

When Erik returned to Iceland after his term of banishment had expired, he brought with him stories of "Greenland". Erik purposely gave the land a more appealing name than "Iceland" in order to lure potential settlers. He explained, "people would be attracted to go there if it had a favorable name". Ultimately, though, he did this to gain favor among people, as he knew that the success of any settlement in Greenland would need the support of as many people as possible. His salesmanship proved successful, as many people (especially "those Vikings living on poor land in Iceland" and those that had suffered a "recent famine") became convinced that Greenland held great opportunity.

After spending the winter in Iceland, Erik returned to Greenland in 985 with a large number of colonists and established two colonies on its southwest coast: the Eastern Settlement or Eystribyggð, in modern-day Qaqortoq, and the Western Settlement or Vestribyggð, close to present-day Nuuk. (Eventually, a Middle Settlement grew up, but many people suggest this settlement formed part of the Western Settlement.) The Eastern and Western Settlements, both established on the southwest coast, proved the only two areas suitable for farming. During the summers, when the weather conditions favored travel more, each settlement would send an army of men to hunt in Disko Bay above the Arctic Circle for food and other valuable commodities such as seals (used for rope), ivory from tusks, and beached whales (if they had good luck). In these expeditions they probably encountered the Inuit (Eskimo) people, who had not yet moved into southern Greenland. Map of the Eastern settlement of the Norse in medieval Greenland. ... Qaqortoq, officially known as Qaqortoq Kommunia, is a town in Greenland. ... Map of the Western settlement of the Norse in medieval Greenland. ... A panoramic photo of Nuuk taken in October 2006 Location of the Nuuk municipality in Greenland Nuuk (The Cape in Greenlandic) (Danish: GodthÃ¥b, which translates to Good Hope in English, and was the name of the ship which brought the settlers) is the capital and largest city of the... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... For the fast food restaurant chain, see Arctic Circle Restaurants. ... For other uses, see Inuit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Eskimo (disambiguation). ...

Eystribyggð

In Eystribyggð, Erik built the estate Brattahlíð, near present-day Narsarsuaq, for himself. He held the title of paramount chieftain of Greenland and became both greatly respected and wealthy. The settlement venture involved twenty-five ships, fourteen of which made the journey successfully; of the other eleven, some turned back, while others disappeared at sea. An Estate comprises the houses and outbuildings and supporting farmland and woods that surround the gardens and grounds of a very large property, such as a country house or mansion. ... 21st-century reproduction of Thjodhilds church, with Eriksfjord in the background. ... Map of Greenland Narsarsuaq (variously spelled, the name is Greenlandic for Great Plain) was the principal city of Greenland in the times of Erik the Red whose farm Brattahlíð was nearby. ... The ancient rulers of Greenland were called paramount chieftains. ... For other uses, see Ship (disambiguation). ...

The settlement flourished, growing to 5000 inhabitants spread over a considerable area along Eriksfjord and neighboring fjords. Groups of immigrants escaping overcrowding in Iceland joined the original party. However, one group of immigrants which arrived in 1002 brought with it an epidemic that ravaged the colony, killing many of its leading citizens, including Erik himself.^[2] Nevertheless, the colony rebounded and survived until the Little Ice Age made the land marginal for European life-styles in the 15th century (shortly before Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Canary Islands in 1492). Pirate raids,^[3] conflict with Inuit moving into the Norse territories, and the colony's abandonment by Norway became other factors in its decline. Fjord in Sunnmøre, Norway Geirangerfjord, Norway A fjord (or fiord) is a long, narrow estuary with steep sides, made when a glacial valley is filled by rising sea water levels. ... Immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or permanently. ... Events November 13 - English king Ethelred gives order to kill all Danes in England, leading to the St. ... In epidemiology, an epidemic (from [[Latin language] epi- upon + demos people) is a disease that appears as new cases in a given human population, during a given period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is expected, based on recent experience (the number of new cases in the population during... The word citizen may refer to: A person with a citizenship Citizen Watch Co. ... The Little Ice Age (LIA) was a period of cooling occurring after a warmer era known as the Medieval climate optimum. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator, colonizer, and explorer and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas after the Vikings. ... This article is about the islands in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Also film, 1492: Conquest of Paradise. ... Look up pirate and piracy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Inuit (disambiguation). ...

Erik's descendants

History records that Erik and his wife Þjóðhildr (Thjodhildr) had four children: a daughter, Freydís, and three sons, the explorer Leif Eiríksson, Þorvald (Thorvald) and Þorsteinn (Thorstein). Erik himself remained a follower of Norse paganism, unlike his son Leif and Leif's wife, who built the first Christian church in the Americas on their farm. (Despite speculation, it seems unlikely that Leif pioneered the introduction of Christianity to Greenland.) Freydís Eiríksdóttir was a Viking woman who sailed to Vínland in the early 11th century. ... This list of explorers is sorted by surname. ... Close up of Leif in front of Hallgrímskirkja, in Reykjavík, Iceland. ... Thorvald Eriksson (old Icelandic: Þorvaldr Eiríksson) was the son of Erik the Red and brother of Leif Eriksson. ... Norse paganism is a term used to describe the religious traditions which were common amongst the Germanic tribes living in Nordic countries prior to and during the process of the Christianization in Northern Europe. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ...

While not the first to sight the North American continent, Leif Erikson became the first Viking to explore the land of Vinland (part of North America in modern-day Newfoundland). Leif invited his father on the voyage, but according to legend Erik fell off his horse on his way to the ship and took this as a bad sign, leaving his son to continue without his company. Erik died the winter after his son's departure. Leif was unaware of his father's death until he got back to Greenland.^{[citation needed]} For the historical novel by George Mackay Brown, which depicts Leifr Eiríkssons voyage, see Vinland (novel). ... North American redirects here. ... Newfoundland may refer to: Newfoundland and Labrador, a Canadian province (known simply as Newfoundland until 2001) Dominion of Newfoundland, an independent country (from 1907 to 1934) Colony of Newfoundland, a British colony prior to 1907 Newfoundland (island), a Canadian island that forms part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ...

Norse settlement in Greenland

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into History of Greenland. (Discuss)

For much of the time that the Norse survived in Greenland, they had a very tough life that demanded finding a balance between maintaining population-levels and finding enough food and supplies to survive. Most of the time they had just enough supplies to continue their societies. Despite the Norse settlers' constant struggle, at Norse Greenland's peak at c. 1126 the inhabitants numbered between 2000 and 4000.^[4] The Eastern Settlement had around "190 small farms, 12 parish churches, a cathedral, an Augustinian monastery and a Benedictine nunnery". Even though smaller than the Eastern Settlement, the Western Settlement still had "90 farms and four churches", while the smallest Middle Settlement had only around "20 farms". Despite enjoying what some might consider a reasonable amount of time on Greenland in conjunction with varying times of successes and failures, the Norse settlement in Greenland did not last more than 500 years. Jared Diamond gives a rationale for this, as have others. He presents a five-step process that explains the collapse of civilizations and offers Greenland as an example of this process. Image File history File links Merge-arrow. ... Hunting and whaling have always been important ways to make a living on Greenland. ... Jared Mason Diamond (b. ...

The Norse had found a "virgin" piece of land that they altered in ways they believed would bring the greatest reward but which in fact damaged their environment. Then too, they had become separated from their kin in Europe for so long that most of their friendships and alliances had fallen away, hurting some of their trading and eventual protection; political changes in Europe hastened this process. Perhaps more significantly, a change in climate in the North Atlantic led to an increase in sea-ice, making communication with Europe difficult, and favoring migrations of the Inuit from northern Greenland to the south and to regular contact with the Norse, leading to violence between the races. Finally, and most importantly, the Norse failed to adapt fully to their surroundings. They clung too much to familiar ways of living that proved ultimately unsuitable in Greenland. An icebreaker navigates through young (1 year old) sea ice Nilas Sea Ice in arctic Sea ice is formed from ocean water that freezes. ... For other uses, see Inuit (disambiguation). ...

Despite the apparent failure of the Norse Greenland colonies, they mark one of the great achievements in Norse expansion and exploration.

See also

• Erik the Red's Land
• Leif Ericson
• Thorvald Eriksson

Erik the Reds Land (Norwegian: Eirik Raudes land) was the name given by Norway to an area in East Greenland. ... Close up of Leif in front of Hallgrímskirkja, in Reykjavík, Iceland. ... Thorvald Eriksson (old Icelandic: Þorvaldr Eiríksson) was the son of Erik the Red and brother of Leif Eriksson. ...

References

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• "The Fate of Greenland's Vikings"