The Viking: Leif Erikson
Bravery: Exploring new lands was not for the faint of heart.
Leif Erikson was a Norse (another name for Norwegians or Scandinavians, especially in medieval times) explorer who explored parts of North America. He made this trip over 400 years before Columbus explored and documented parts of North America. Historians believe, but are not sure that Erikson was probably the first European to visit the North American continent.
Erikson was a Viking, a group of people known mainly (today) for their warrior abilities. Explorers from this group of people traveled far distances over water from northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Most historical accounts differ on the events surrounding Leif’s exploration of North America. According to one report, though, Erikson is thought to have sailed off course on his return to Greenland, landing in North America. Present-day parts of Canada, to be more exact.
The Viking life was fascinating. They lived, worked, explored, and had an influence on early America…long ago.
Most accounts of Viking life are documented through poems and stories. But some have also been revealed by archeologists. An archeologist is a person who studies human history by examining and studying where artifacts came from.
After Leif Erikson returned from his North American exploration, his brother Thorvald led another expedition with him to an area they called ‘Vinland.’ Despite repeat visits to the region, future efforts to settle in this area failed due to clashes between the Norse and the indigenous population. Thorvald himself died in a battle somewhere north of the Viking base around the area of Vinland.
Below are some artifacts that archeologists found from various Viking settlements.
- Can you guess the Viking artifact?
- What do you think it was used for?
- Where do you think it was found?
- In what ways does each item represent the Viking ‘way of life’?
Erikson was inspired by a Nordic sailor named Bjarni Herjulfsson. Who, as legend has it, was blown off course and accidentally landed in a new land. Historians today are still uncertain about the context of Erikson’s arrival in North America, as well as the exact location of his landing.
One story claims he made three landfalls: (1) present-day Labrador (Canada), (2) present-day Newfoundland (Canada), and (3) what they called ‘Vinland’ at the time. The location of Vinland has been debated over the centuries. It is thought to be a variety of spots along the northern Atlantic coast that may go as far south as some parts of northeastern (present-day) America.
Erikson and his crew built houses in Vinland and remained there for a few years. Eventually, Erikson and his crew returned home. Although future Vikings attempted to settle this new land, none could find lasting peace with the indigenous people. Although they spent little time in this part of the world, their explorations paved the way for future generations of people from Scandinavia to migrate to this region of the Americas.
Today, more than 11 million Americans trace their ancestry to Nordic countries. To celebrate Erikson’s bravery and the Nordic Influence in America, we celebrate Leif Erikson day every year on October 9th (United States Public Law 88-566).
Little Patriots