Breaking News: Leif Erikson Discovers New Land!

A Selfie by Leif Erikson, published on Vikingbook.

Leif Erikson- A Portrait

The Daily Viking is glad to be the first to deliver the full story on Leif Erikson and how he discovered Vinland. Leif discovered new lands on his journey, far away from his pregnant lover, and moreover, he claims that there are no winters, endless riches and even wild growing wheat in the land he named Vinland.

The Beginning of Leif

In the year 976 Leif Erikson was born. His parents, Eirik and Tjoldhild ,were from Norway, but moved to Iceland, before Leif’s birth. Leif was raised by Thyrker, a wise German who taught Leif to trade, read, foreign languages, botany, History and the art of fighting with weapons. By the age twelve Leif was considered old enough to move back to his outlawed father. His father, who had been banished from Norway earlier on, committed another murder and was yet again exiled, from Iceland this time. As a consequence, Eirik gathered his belongings; including his family and settled in Greenland.

“My childhood was great! I have had all the opportunities a humble man could ask for. My dad provided a perfect example of how not to behave in the society. Additionally, I was sent away to a wise German as a child. Thyrke, the German, taught me useful things and skills, and I grew self-reliant, so I could return to my home a real man. Furthermore, the chance to meet and discuss important matters, like religion, with the king of Norway is really a highlight” Leif Erikson states.

His Way to Vinland

At the age of 24 Leif went on his first voyage. Because of his exile, Eirik decided to send his son to the Norwegian king, Olaf, to bring gifts. Due to bad weather conditions, Leif and his ship got stuck on some small islands, called “The Hebrids”. At the Hebrids Leif established a rather intimate tone with a highborn woman named Thorgunna and by the time the expedition was ready to leave, Thorgunna admitted to Leif that she was pregnant. Despite the fact that he was about to become a father, Leif left, and after a few days, he and his crew arrived back in Norway.

In Norway his gift were accepted with gratitude by King Olaf and, as already mentioned, Leif and the king discussed religious matters. First the king convinced Leif to convert to Christianity and in addition he gave Leif a mission. Leif was supposed to help the king christen Greenland, so he let a priest join the crew and sailed towards his home.

“Well, I liked her (Thorgunna) at first, but after a while I found out that she was a witch. She got pregnant too, and that is a real spoiler, so I left. Nevertheless, my son is a really great chap and I accept him. After all he is the only son I’ve got. “ says Ericsson.

“After the voyage to Norway everything in Greenland was boring, really, so I bought a boat from my friend, Bjarni. He told me about some islands he had discovered and I decided to gather some fellows, and follow his route.” Leif explains.

“It was a dangerous expedition, but we found our destination, a land of flat rocks, and called it Helleland. I wasn’t satisfied, so we kept sailing further south and came to a place I named Markland. The land was flat, with beaches and some trees, but the need to find out more, drove us even further south. Eventually we climbed ashore on a beautiful island with a mainland behind it. We prepared for winter, but it never showed up! The land, I call it Vinland, was full of riches like large woods, grapes and even wild

growing wheat.” Leif tells us.

A Permanent Settlement?

When we asked if he were to return to this “Vinland”, he replied that he was a bit unsure. “It’s not like the land I found is a new part of the world, or anything,” Leif explains. “I doubt if anybody will ever settle there for good to be honest, but we'll hand around for a few more yers, I suppose. Just for fun.”

SOURCES

http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiv_Eiriksson 21.01.2015, 23.37

http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm -//-

http://www.leiferikson.org/ -//-

https://snl.no/Vinland -//-

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