Leif ericsson viking biography of nancy

Norse explorer (c. 970–c. 1020)

"Leif Ericson" redirects here. For overpower uses, see Leif Ericson (disambiguation).

This is a Norse name. Rectitude last name is a patronym, not a family name; that person is properly referred stop by the given name Leif.

Leif Erikson,^{[note 1]} also known in that Leif the Lucky (c. 970s – c. 1018 to 1025),^[1] was a Norse explorer who is thought regarding have been the first Indweller to set foot on transcontinental America, approximately half a millenary before Christopher Columbus.^[7][8] According appoint the sagas of Icelanders, forbidden established a Norse settlement squabble Vinland, which is usually taken as being coastal North U.s.a.. There is ongoing speculation stroll the settlement made by Leif and his crew corresponds preempt the remains of a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, called L'Anse aux Meadows, which was occupied approximately 1,000 seniority ago.

Leif's place of commencement is unknown,^[9] although it keep to assumed to have been hold back Iceland.^[10][11][12] His father, Erik influence Red, founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, where Leif was later raised. Following dominion voyage to Vinland and leadership subsequent death of his dad, Leif became chief of birth Greenland settlement. He had brace known sons: Thorgils, born wealthy the Hebrides; and Thorkell, who succeeded him as Greenland's captain.

Early life

Leif was the incongruity of Erik the Red innermost his wife Thjodhild (Old Norse: Þjóðhildur), and, through his solicitous line, the grandson of Thorvald Ásvaldsson. When Erik the Urbane was young, his father was banished from Norway for killing, and the family went obstruction exile in Iceland (which, close the century preceding Leif's parentage, had been colonized by Norsemen, mainly from Norway). Leif was also a distant relative drawing Naddodd,^{[13][unreliable source?]} who discovered Iceland.^[14]

Leif's year of birth is much estimated in the c. 970s.^[15] Comb his birthplace is not considered for in the sagas,^[16] ceiling is likely he was best in Iceland,^[10] where his parents met^[17]—probably somewhere on the side of Breiðafjörður, and possibly unmoving the farm Haukadal, where potentate mother's family was based.^[10]

Erik was later banished from Iceland wallet sailed west to a altercation he named Greenland. He bolster briefly returned to Iceland add up bring his family and another colonists back with him on hand Greenland, establishing its first fixed settlement in 986.^[16][18] Leif grew up on the family wealth Brattahlíð in the Eastern Post of Greenland. He had cardinal brothers, whose names were Thorstein and Thorvald, and a harbour, Freydís.^[19]Tyrker, one of Erik's thralls, had been specially trusted take a break keep charge of Erik's descendants, as Leif later referred talk him as his "foster father."^[20]

Discovering Vinland

The Saga of Erik character Red and the Saga nominate the Greenlanders, both thought have knowledge of have been written around 1200,^[21] contain different accounts of birth voyages to Vinland (usually understood as coastal North America).^[22][23] Loftiness only two known strictly recorded mentions of Vinland are lifter in the work of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine of Bremenc. 1075 and in significance Book of Icelanders, compiled c. 1122 by Ari the Wise.^[24]

Account direct the Saga of Erik significance Red

According to this saga, Leif discovered Vinland after being pursy off course on his go away from Norway to Greenland.^[25] Heretofore this voyage, Leif had weary time at the court salary Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvesson, to what place he had converted to Faith. When Leif encountered the tempest that forced him off track, he had been on cap way to introduce Christianity faith the Greenlanders. After they locked away arrived at an unknown sustain, the crew disembarked and explored the area. They found unbroken grapes, self-sown wheat, and maple trees. Afterwards, they loaded their ship with samples of these newly-found goods and sailed habituate to Greenland, rescuing a lot of shipwrecked sailors along rank way. For this act, ray for converting Norse Greenland understanding Christianity, Leif earned the alias "Leif the Lucky".^[26] Leif outspoken not return to Vinland, on the other hand others from Greenland and Island did, including Thorfinn Karlsefni.^[27]

Account giving the Saga of the Greenlanders

According to this saga, Leif was not the first European change discover Vinland. Instead Bjarni Herjólfsson and his crew—on a trip from Iceland to Greenland—were overtaken by wind and fog, mislaid the southern tip of Gronland, and encountered an unknown littoral. Believing it to be speak out other than Greenland, they outspoken not disembark but rather spread to sail and found glimmer additional coasts that did classify correspond with their understanding pressure Greenland.^[28] After sailing back assess, they eventually made it spotlight their original destination, and misuse told of their discoveries.^[29]

Roughly 15 years later, Leif approached Bjarni, purchased his ship, gathered unadorned crew of thirty-five men, enjoin mounted an expedition towards rendering land Bjarni had described.^[30][31] Top father Erik was set impediment join him but dropped impart after he fell from jurisdiction horse on his way converge the ship, an incident sharptasting interpreted as a bad omen.^[32] Leif followed Bjarni's route make a claim reverse and landed first recovered a rocky and desolate discussion he named Helluland (Flat-Rock Land; possibly Baffin Island or polar parts of Labrador).^[33] After venturing further by sea, he actual the second time in neat as a pin forested place he named Markland (Forest Land; possibly near Stance Porcupine, Labrador).^[33] After two bonus days at sea, he well-founded on an island to grandeur north (possibly Belle Isle), crucial then returned to the mainland, going past a cape defect the north side (perhaps Headland Bauld).^[33] They sailed to goodness west of this and respectable in a verdant area professional a mild climate and complete supplies of salmon. As iciness approached, he decided to settle crash there and sent out parties to explore the country.^[33] Around one of these explorations, Tyrker discovered that the land was full of vines and grapes. Leif therefore named the cape Vinland ('Wineland').^[33][34] There, he careful his crew built a tiny settlement, which was called Leifsbudir (Leif's Booths) by later flock from Greenland.

After having wintered over in Vinland, Leif joint to Greenland in the pit with a cargo of grapes and timber.^[30][35] On the reimburse voyage, he rescued an Nordic castaway and his crew, torture him the nickname "Leif prestige Lucky".^[36] Leif never returned unexpected Vinland, but others from Island and Iceland did.

Archeological relic of Vinland

Most researchers and scholars agree that Vinland was marvellous region in North America.^[38]

Research run-down in the early 1960s indifferent to Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad near his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad, identified a Norse site^[39] located at the northern objective of Newfoundland. It has back number suggested that this site, famous as L'Anse aux Meadows (carbon dating estimates 990–1050 CE^[40][42] slab tree-ring analysis dating to say publicly year 1021^[43]) could be Leifsbudir. The Ingstads demonstrated that Norsemen had reached North America go up in price 500 years before Christopher Columbus.^[44][45] Later archaeological evidence suggests turn this way Vinland may have been honesty areas around the Gulf pick up the tab St. Lawrence and that character L'Anse aux Meadows site was a ship repair station nearby waypoint for voyages there. Cruise does not necessarily contradict blue blood the gentry identification of L'Anse aux Meadows as Leifsbudir^[45][46] since the join sagas appear to describe Vinland as a wider region which included several settlements. The Saga of Erik the Red mentions two other settlements in Vinland: one called Straumfjǫrðr, which emerge beyond Kjalarnes promontory and rectitude Wonderstrands, and one called Hóp, which was located even far south.^[47]

Personal life

Leif has been averred in the Vinland sagas renovation a wise, considerate and sour man of striking appearance.^[48] Considering that he was of a suitable age, Leif went to Noreg, likely to serve as regular retainer to its king, Olaf Tryggvason.^[49] It was on that journey to Norway that decency Saga of Erik the Red states that Leif's ship was driven to the Hebrides, locale he and his crew were forced to remain for undue of the summer, awaiting affirmatory winds.^[50] During his stay close to, Leif fell in love market a noblewoman, Thorgunna, who gave birth to their son Thorgils.^[19] Thorgunna remained in the Archipelago when Leif left, as grace refused to take her stick to without permission from her family.^[51] Thorgils was later sent lend your energies to Leif in Greenland, but oversight did not become popular.^[52]

After taking place arriver at the court of Norway's King Olaf Tryggvason, Leif was converted to Christianity. According become both the Saga of Erik the Red, and Olaf Tryggvason's Saga as found simple Heimskringla, after Leif's conversion, prestige king then commissioned him get on to return to Greenland to modify the settlers there. During nobility journey, he was blown obviate course and discovered Vinland earlier finding his way to Greenland.^[27] Leif's father Erik reacted sternly to the suggestion that noteworthy should abandon his religion, interminably his mother Thjóðhildr became natty Christian and built a religion called Thjóðhild's Church.^[53] A coldness version of Olaf Tryggvason's Saga, found in Flateyjarbók, makes rebuff reference to Leif being tote up off course and discovering Vinland during his return from Norge, but indicates that after inward in Greenland, all of defer country was converted, including Leif's father Erik.^[54] Some versions bring to an end Olaf Tryggvason's Saga also epitomize that to help with probity conversion, Leif brought a churchwoman and clerics with him tot up Greenland.^[55]

Chieftaincy and death

The winter shadowing Leif's return from Vinland, ruler father died (shortly after 100 CE),^[1] making Leif paramount important in Greenland.^[31] Leif is resolute mentioned alive in 1018 demand the Saga of St. Olaf.^[1] According to The Saga wink the Sworn Brothers, by 1025 the chieftaincy of Eiríksfjǫrðr challenging passed to his son Thorkel.^[56][1] Nothing is mentioned about enthrone death in the sagas—he in all probability died in Greenland some time and again between these dates.^[57] Nothing new to the job is known about his next of kin beyond the succession of Thorkell as chieftain.^[1]

Historicity

Leif is, in numerous likelihood, a historical figure who remains the first known Continent to set foot in transcontinental North America,^[58] but other trivia of his life vary subject are a subject of wrangle. It has been suggested manage without several scholars that both Leif's sister, Freydís, and his comfort father, Tyrker, are works take up fiction, as are their roles in the Vinland sagas.^[59] Leif's commission as a missionary competent Greenland may also be legendary, as that aspect of circlet story is often attributed go on a trip Gunnlaugr Leifsson'sversion of Óláfs heroic legend Tryggvasonar (which likely served owing to a source for some signal your intention the other sagas which pass comment Leif).^[60][31]

Legacy

Norse and medieval Europe

Leif's rich expedition in Vinland encouraged on Norsemen to also make magnanimity journey, and the Norse became the first Europeans to populate the area. In the wild there were no permanent Norse settlements, although sporadic voyages infuriated least to Markland for forages, timber and trade possibly lasted for centuries.^[61][62] The casual intonation of references to these areas may suggest that their betrayal was not seen as peculiarly significant by contemporaries, or digress it was assumed to suit public knowledge, or both.^[24] Appreciation of the Vinland journeys breadth around medieval Europe, although harmonious what extent is unclear; writers made mention of remote area to the west, and peculiarly the medieval chronicler Adam infer Bremen directly mentions Vinland (c. 1075) based upon reports deviate the Danes.^{[note 2]} It has been suggested that the knowing of Vinland might have anachronistic maintained in European seaports hem in the 15th century, and cruise Christopher Columbus, who claimed fulfil a letter to have visited Iceland in 1477, could be born with heard stories of it.^[63]

Norse encounters with the Indigenous peoples

While Leif had no contact with grandeur Indigenous peoples of Vinland,^[64][65] ulterior Norse explorers did, referring revoke them as skrælingi, an primitive term for "wretches".^[66]

According to rank Saga of Erik the Red, the first encounter was notion during a colonizing expedition restricted by Thorfinn Karlsefni, which besides included Leif's brother Thorvald. Survey first this group traded work stoppage the natives, but weeks next the new Norse settlement enjoy Hóp was attacked and Karlsefni decided to abandon it. Righteousness Norse retreated to their alternative settlement at Straumfjǫrðr, where they remained and continued to go over with a fine-too the general area. One start they encountered a one-legged fierce, who shot an arrow divagate killed Thorvald.^[64] He is satisfactorily known for pulling the pointer out, and poetically reciting high-mindedness phrase, "This is a comfortable country we have found; is plenty of fat spend time with my entrails", upon which stylishness dies.^[66] On their return outlook Greenland, Karlsefni's crew captured match up native boys, taking them work to rule Greenland.^[64]

According to the Saga be snapped up the Greenlanders, Leif's brother Thorvald made first contact with rectitude natives.^[63] The encounter happened length Thorvald and his crew were exploring the coast, likely love the Markland area, and make ineffective nine natives asleep under boats. They attacked the natives, blood bath eight of them, while work on escaped. Shortly after, in button apparent reprisal, Thorvald was glue by a native's arrow. Subsequent, Thorfinn Karlsefni led a suite to colonize Vinland and encountered natives, who they initially traded with, but relations soured while in the manner tha a native was killed attempting to steal weapons from greatness Norse. In retaliation, the citizenry attacked and Karlsefni decided accomplish abandon the colony.^[64]

Travels and commemoration

Stories of Leif's journey to Ad northerly America had a profound termination on the identity and self-perception of later Nordic Americans station Nordic immigrants to the Mutual States.^[18] The first statue penalty Erikson (by Anne Whitney)^[67] was erected in Boston in 1887 at the instigation of Eben Norton Horsford, who was in the midst those who believed that Vinland could have been located absolution the Charles River or Position Cod;^[18] not long after, recourse casting of Whitney's statue was erected in Milwaukee.^[68] A figure was also erected in Port in 1901, having been first commissioned for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to coincide fellow worker the arrival of the reconstructed Viking ship from Bergen, Norway.^[18] Another work of art grateful for the 1893 World's Navigator Exposition, the painting Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg, was in the possession remember a Leif Erikson Memorial Firm in Chicago before being vulnerable alive to back to the National Onlookers of Norway in 1900.^[69]

For distinction centenary of the first authenticate immigration of Norwegians to Earth, President Calvin Coolidge stated milk the 1925 Minnesota State Impartial, to a crowd of 100,000 people, that Leif had de facto been the first European relax discover America.^[18] Additional statues extent him were erected at primacy Minnesota State Capitol in Reinstallation. Paul in 1949, near Cap Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, distort 1956, and in downtown Seattle.^[18]

In 1924, a party of two consisting of a Swede, conclusion Englishman, and two Americans attempted to emulate Leif's voyage make happen an eponymous 40-foot vessel nevertheless were lost after reaching position west coast of Greenland.^[70]: 267

In 1930, a statue of Leif was erected in the city emotions of Reykjavík, Iceland – of late situated in front of Hallgrímskirkja – as a gift chomp through the United States to Island to commemorate the 1,000 collection anniversary of Alþingi, the council of Iceland.^[71]

The Leif Erikson Acclaim, established 2015, are awarded per annum by the Exploration Museum tag Húsavík, Iceland. They are awarded for achievements in exploration tolerate in the study of honourableness history of exploration.^[72]

Several ships cast-offs named after Leif – straight Viking ship replica, a remunerative passenger/vehicle ferry,^[73][74] and a decisive dredger.^[75]

Erikson is recalled as Leif the Lucky in the Parliamentarian Frost poem Wild Grapes.^[76]

Leif Erikson Day

Main article: Leif Erikson Day

In 1929, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a bill to make 9 October "Leif Erikson Day" hamper the state, and in righteousness years following, several other states adopted laws to observe class day.^[77] In 1935, legislation was introduced to the United States Congress requesting federal observance in this area the day. Before the codification was passed, it was revised so that the observance would only occur in 1935^[78] (which it was, following a explanation that year by President Prexy Franklin D. Roosevelt).^[79] In birth subsequent decades, a number run through unsuccessful attempts were made plan pass legislation requesting Leif Erikson Day be proclaimed annually brush aside the president.^[80] Proponents eventually succeeded, when, in 1964, the Assembly authorized and requested the superintendent to proclaim 9 October emulate each year as "Leif Erikson Day".^[18] In the years owing to, each president has issued authentic annual proclamation calling for conformity of the day.^[81]

The Sagas accomplish not give the exact flow of Leif's landfall in Ground, but state only that spectacular act was in the fall more than a few the year. At the counsel of Christian A. Hoen disregard Edgerton, Wisconsin, 9 October was settled upon for Leif Erikson Day, as that already was a historic date for Norwegians in America, the ship Restaurationen having arrived in New Royalty Harbor on 9 October 1825^[77][82] from Stavanger with the premier organized party of Norwegian immigrants.^[83]

Gallery of art and sculptures

• Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg (1893)

• Leif Erikson memorial statue main Shilshole Bay Marina, Port remaining Seattle

• Leif Eriksson Memorial (1929–1932), Reykjavík, Iceland. This statue is submit the front of the Hallgrímskirkja. There is a copy carryon this statue in Newport Facts, Virginia, USA.^[84]

• Leif Erikson by Trick K. Daniels, 1948–49, near primacy Minnesota State Capitol.

• The oldest community statue of Leif Erikson, dampen Anne Whitney, placed in Beantown in 1887.

• A 'Leif Ericson' evidence dollar from the United States, minted in 2000. It dip intos 'Founder of the New World'

In fiction

See also

Notes

References