| Document Number: | AJ-056 |
|---|---|
| Author: | |
| Title: | The Saga of Eric the Red |
| Source: | Olson, Julius E. and Edward G. Bourne (editors). The Northmen, Columbus and Cabot, 985-1503: The Voyages of the Northmen; The Voyages of Columbus and of John Cabot. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1906). Pages 14-44. |
| Pages/Illustrations: | 33 / 0 |
What is the story of Erik the Red?
The Saga of Erik the Red, in Old Norse: Eiríks saga rauða ( listen (help·info) ), is an Icelandic saga on the Norse exploration of North America. The original saga is thought to have been written in the 13th century. It is preserved in somewhat different versions in two manuscripts: Hauksbók (14th century) and Skálholtsbók (15th century).
Was Erik the Red the first European to see North America?
… and Eiríks saga rauða (“Erik the Red’s Saga”). These two accounts differ somewhat. According to the Grænlendinga saga, Bjarni Herjólfsson became the first European to sight mainland North America when his Greenland-bound ship was blown westward off course about 985.
How is the saga of Erik the Red different from Greenland?
The saga of Erik the Red portrays a number of the expeditions in the Greenland saga as just one expedition led by Thorfinn Karlsefni, although Erik's son Thorvald, his daughter Freydís and Karlsefni's wife Gudrid play key roles in the retelling. Another notable difference is the location of their settlements.
How many versions of Erik the Red are there?
The two versions of the Saga of Erik the Red, in the 14th-century Hauksbók (and 17th-century paper copies) and the 15th-century Skálholtsbók, appear to derive from a common original written in the 13th century but vary considerably in details.
When was Erik the Red saga written?
13th centuryThe original saga is thought to have been written in the 13th century. It is preserved in somewhat different versions in two manuscripts: Hauksbók (14th century) and Skálholtsbók (15th century).
Who wrote the Saga of the Greenlanders?
The Saga of the Greenlanders (Grœnlendinga Saga): Norse Text, Translation, and Word List: EMBLETON, Matthew Leigh: 9798464540590: Amazon.com: Books.
Who wrote the Vinland sagas?
The Vinland Sagas by Anonymous: 9780140447767 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books.
Did the real Erik the Red go blind?
She ended up confronting him about how he had treated her, but he showed little remorse. Ingrid, who turned out to be witch, used her powers to encourage the gods to turn Erik blind. Without his sight, Erik became powerless, and this gave Ingrid the opportunity to take control.
Is Vinland a real place?
Vinland, the land of wild grapes in North America that was visited and named by Leif Eriksson about the year 1000 ce. Its exact location is not known, but it was probably the area surrounding the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in what is now eastern Canada.
Is Thorfinn a Viking?
Thorfinn is introduced as a young Viking who works for Askeladd and kill him as revenge for killing his father, Thors.
What Vinland means?
Vinland (Old Norse Vínland, 'Wine Land') is the name given to the lands explored and briefly settled by Norse Vikings in North America around 1000 CE, particularly referring to Newfoundland, where a Viking site known as L'Anse aux Meadows was uncovered in the 1960s CE, and the Gulf of St Lawrence.
Why is Thorfinn Karlsefni important?
Thorfinn Karlsefni, (born 980, Iceland—died after 1007), Icelandic-born Scandinavian leader of an early colonizing expedition to North America. His travels were recounted in the Saga of Erik and the Tale of the Greenlanders.
Are the Vinland Sagas accurate?
The Vinland Sagas represent the most complete information available regarding the Norse exploration of the Americas, although due to Iceland's oral tradition, they cannot be deemed completely historically accurate and include contradictory details.
Did UBBE find America?
The real Ubbe is not believed to have travelled to North America and instead is well known in the history books for being one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army who invaded Anglo-Saxon England in the 860s.
What land did UBBE discover?
NewfoundlandNewfoundland, referred to as the Golden Lands, is a large island off the east coast of the North American mainland, explored by Ubbe, Othere, Floki, Torvi and others.
Who is the most famous Viking?
Ragnar LothbrokRagnar Lothbrok Arguably the most famous Viking warrior of them all, not least for his role as the leading protagonist in Vikings, the History Channel's popular drama.
Who are the Greenlanders Vikings Valhalla?
Up first: Our ferocious Greenlanders, Leif Eriksson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir, are taken straight from the pages of history. These two warriors were the children of Erik the Red, who founded the first European settlement in Greenland.
How do Green Landers sleep?
Typically lying down next to each other, either on a bed or on the floor, but sleeping on top of each other, a custom known as floedersnork, is not unheard of. Some Greenlanders have been known to hit themselves in the head with a large mallet until sleep is achieved.
Who translated Erik the Red?
The Saga of Erik the Red. 1880 translation into English by J. Sephton from the original Icelandic 'Eiríks saga rauða'.
What did Eirik promise to his people?
Eirik said to his people that he purposed to seek for the land which Gunnbjorn, the son of Ulf the Crow, saw when he was driven westwards over the ocean, and discovered Gunnbjarnarsker (Gunnbjorn's rock or skerry). He promised that he would return to visit his friends if he found the land.
Where is Eirik's landslip?
It is near Vatzhorn. Then did Eirik's thralls cause a landslip on the estate of Valthjof, at Valthjofsstadr. Eyjolf the Foul, his kinsman, slew the thralls beside Skeidsbrekkur (slopes of the race-course), above Vatzhorn. In return Eirik slew Eyjolf the Foul; he slew also Hrafn the Dueller, at Leikskalar (playbooths).
Why is Erik the Red?
He most likely earned the epithet "the Red" due to the color of his hair and beard. According to Icelandic sagas, he was born in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway, as the son of Thorvald Asvaldsson. One of Erik's sons was the well-known Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson.
Where was Erik the Red born?
Early life. Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Rogaland, Norway in 950 CE. He was the son of Thorvald Asvaldson (also spelled Osvaldson). As a method of conflict resolution that subsequently became something of a family custom, Erik the Red's father, Thorvald Asvaldsson, was banished from Norway for manslaughter. He sailed west from Norway ...
Why did Erik move to Eyxney?
Because Eyiolf's kinsmen demanded his banishment from Haukadal, the Icelanders later sentenced Erik to exile for three years for killing Eyiolf the Foul around the year 982. Erik then moved to the island of Eyxney.
What happened to Erik's son?
Erik died in an epidemic that killed many of the colonists in the winter after his son's departure.
Why did Erik return to Iceland?
When Erik returned to Iceland after his exile had expired, he is said to have brought with him stories of "Greenland". Erik deliberately 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".
How long did Erik the Red stay in exile?
According to the Saga of Erik the Red, he spent his three years of exile exploring this land.
How many children did Erik the Red have?
Medieval Icelandic tradition relates that Erik the Red and his wife Þjódhild had four children: a daughter, Freydís, and three sons, the explorer Leif Erikson, Thorvald and Thorstein. Unlike his son Leif and Leif's wife, who became Christians, Erik remained a follower of Norse paganism.
Who wrote the book Eric the Red?from en.wikipedia.org
Reeves, Arthur Middleton (ed. and trans.), The Saga of Eric the Red, also Called the Saga of Thorfinn Karlsefni and Snorri Thorbrandsson, in The Finding of Wineland the Good: The History of the Icelandic Discovery of America (London: Henry Frowde, 1890), pp. 28–52, available online at Archive.org. Based on the Hauksbók text (which Reeves refers to in the apparatus as ÞsK ), though the text does draw some readings from Skálholtsbók (which Reeves refers to as EsR ). Variants are thoroughly listed. Editions and facsimiles of both manuscripts also included ( Hauksbók pp. 104–21, Skálholtsbók pp. 122–39).
What is the Saga of Erik the Red about?from en.wikipedia.org
The Saga of Erik the Red contains an unusual amount of pagan practise, sorcery, and ghost stories. It has been used as a source on Old Norse religion and belief, in particular on the practice of prophecy as described in the scene with Thorbjorg, but is often described as unreliable.
What did Gudrid say to Thorstein?from sagadb.org
Gudrid said, "We have come forth unwarily, and thou canst in no wise withstand the cold; let us even go home as quickly as possible." "It is not safe as matters are," answered Sigrid. "There is all that crowd of dead people before the door; Thorstein, thy husband, also, and myself, I recognise among them, and it is a grief thus to behold." And when this passed away, she said, "Let us now go, Gudrid; I see the crowd no longer."
What did Eirik promise to his people?from sagadb.org
Eirik said to his people that he purposed to seek for the land which Gunnbjorn, the son of Ulf the Crow, saw when he was driven westwards over the ocean, and discovered Gunnbjarnarsker (Gunnbjorn's rock or skerry). He promised that he would return to visit his friends if he found the land.
Where did Karlsefni and Gudrid go?from en.wikipedia.org
After a year and a half in Greenland, Karlsefni and Gudrid return to Iceland, where they have a second son; their grandchildren become the parents of three bishops.
How did Thorvald die in the book?from en.wikipedia.org
Thorvald, traveling with Karlsefni, is killed by a uniped that shoots him in the groin with a bow and arrow. The ship returns to Straumfjord, but amid increasing dissension they decide to return home. Karlsefni's son Snorri, born in the new land, is three years old when they leave. In Markland, they encounter five Skrælings; the three adults sink into the ground and escape, but they capture the two boys and baptize them; they learn from them that the Skrælings are cave-dwellers but that a nearby country is inhabited by people who go about in white, carrying poles with cloth attached, and shouting; the saga writer says that this was thought to be the legendary Hvítramannaland, and one version adds that that was also called Great Ireland. They sail back to Greenland and overwinter with Erik the Red.
What is the Icelandic saga about?from en.wikipedia.org
Icelandic saga about the Norse exploration of North America. The different sailing routes to Greenland, Vinland (Newfoundland), Helluland (Baffin Island) and Markland (Labrador) traveled by different characters in the Icelandic sagas, mainly Saga of Erik the Red and Saga of the Greenlanders. A sheet of Eiríks saga rauða.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Norse Mythology: Gods, Heroes and the Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology (Norse Myths - Norse Gods - Viking Mythology - Viking Gods - Thor - Loki - Odin - ... - Egyptian - Mythology Trilogy Book 2)
Customer reviews
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Customers who read this book also read
Norse Mythology: Gods, Heroes and the Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology (Norse Myths - Norse Gods - Viking Mythology - Viking Gods - Thor - Loki - Odin - ... - Egyptian - Mythology Trilogy Book 2)
Customers who bought this item also bought
The Mythology and History of Witchcraft: 25 Books of Sorcery, Demonology & Supernatural: The Wonders of the Invisible World, Salem Witchcraft, Lives of the Necromancers, Modern Magic, Witch Stories…
When did Erik the Red come to America?
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.— The Saga of Erik the Red documents the first sustained European contacts with North America from the latter part of the tenth century to the beginning of the eleventh.
Who is Erik's son?
The next phase of the story concerns Erik’s son, Leif , who was a member of Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason’s court. While with King Olaf, Leif converted to Christianity and was dispatched by the king to Christianize the Norse living in the Greenland settlements. While on that voyage, Leif, off-course like his father, finds land to the west of Greenland. He briefly visits, where he finds “… self-sown wheat fields and vines … (25),” and a few marooned Norsemen. Leif rescued the marooned men and leaves for Greenland, where he begins his proselytizing efforts, but also plans a return to the land to the west.
Why did Erik call Greenland?
But Erik called it Greenland because, “… men would be the more readily persuaded thither if the land had a good name (Saga of Erik the Red 1906, 17).”
Chapter 1
- Olaf, who was called Olaf the White, was styled a warrior king. He was the son of King Ingjald, the son of Helgi, the son of Olaf, the son of Gudred, the son of Halfdan Whiteleg, king of the Uplands (in Norway). He led a harrying expedition of sea-rovers into the west, and conquered Dublin, in Ireland, and Dublinshire, over which he made himself ki...
Chapter 2
- There was a man named Thorvald, the son of Asvald, the son of Ulf, the son of Yxna-Thoris. His son was named Eirik. Father and son removed from Jadar (in Norway) to Iceland, because of manslaughters, and occupied land in Hornstrandir, and dwelt at Drangar. There Thorvald died, and Eirik then married Thjodhild, daughter of Jorund, the son of Atli, and of Thorbjorg the Ship-breast…
Chapter 3
- Thorgeir Vifilsson married, and took to wife Arnora, daughter of Einar, from Laugarbrekka (the slope of the hot spring), the son of Sigmund, the eon of Ketil-Thistil, who had occupied Thistilsfjordr. The second daughter of Einar was named Hallveig. Thorbjorn Vifilsson took her to wife, and received with her the land of Laugarbrekka, at Hellisvollr (the cave-hill). To that spot Th…
Chapter 4
- At that time there was a great dearth in Greenland; those who had been out on fishing expeditions had caught little, and some had not returned. There was in the settlement the woman whose name was Thorbjorg. She was a prophetess (spae-queen), and was called Litilvolva (little sybil). She had had nine sisters, and they were all spae-queens, and she was the only one now living. It …
Chapter 5
- Eirik had a wife who was named Thjodhild, and two sons; the one was named Thorstein, and the other Leif. These sons of Eirik were both promising men. Thorstein was then at home with his father; and there was at that time no man in Greenland who was thought so highly of as he. Leif had sailed to Norway, and was there with King Olaf Tryggvason. Now, when Leif sailed from Gre…
Chapter 6
- Now, after this, I have to tell you how Thorstein, Eirik's son, began wooing Gudrid, Thorbjorn's daughter. To his proposals a favourable answer was given, both by the maid herself, and also by her father. The marriage was also arranged, so that Thorstein went to take possession of his bride, and the bridal feast was held at Brattahlid in the autumn. The banquet went off well, and w…
Chapter 7
- There was a man named Thorfinn Karlsefni, son of Thord Horsehead, who dwelt in the north (of Iceland), at Reynines in Skagafjordr, as it is now called. Karlsefni was a man of good family, and very rich. His mother's name was Thorun. He engaged in trading journeys, and seemed a goodly, bold, and gallant traveller. One summer Karlsefni prepared his ship, intending to go to Greenland…
Chapter 8
- During this time much talk took place in Brattahlid about making ready to go to Vinland the Good, and it was asserted that they would there find good choice lands. The discourse came to such conclusion that Karlsefni and Snorri prepared their ship, with the intention of seeking Vinland during the summer. Bjarni and Thorhall ventured on the same expedition, with their ship and the …
Chapter 9
- When summer was at hand they discussed about their journey, and made an arrangement. Thorhall the Sportsman wished to proceed northwards along Furdustrandir, and off Kjalarnes, and so seek Vinland; but Karlsefni desired to proceed southwards along the land and away from the east, because the land appeared to him the better the further south he went, and he thought it al…
Chapter 10
- Karlsefni proceeded southwards along the land, with Snorri and Bjarni and the rest of the company. They journeyed a long while, and until they arrived at a river, which came down from the land and fell into a lake, and so on to the sea. There were large islands off the mouth of the river, and they could not come into the river except at high flood-tide. Karlsefni and his people sailed t…
Overview
Erik Thorvaldsson (c. 950 – c. 1003), known as Erik the Red, was a Norse explorer, described in medieval and Icelandic saga sources as having founded the first settlement in Greenland. He most likely earned the epithet "the Red" due to the color of his hair and beard. According to Icelandic sagas, he was born in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway, as the son of Thorvald Asvaldsson. One o…
Personal life
Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Rogaland, Norway in 950 CE. He was the son of Thorvald Asvaldson (also spelled Osvaldson). As a method of conflict resolution that subsequently became something of a family custom, Erik the Red's father, Thorvald Asvaldsson, was banished from Norway for manslaughter. He sailed west from Norway with his family, including 10-year-old Erik, and settled in Hornstrandir in northwestern Iceland, where he eventually died before 1000 CE.
Discoveries
Even though popular history credits Erik as the first person to discover Greenland, the Icelandic sagas suggest that earlier Norsemen 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 before Erik, strong winds had driven Gunnbjörn towards the land he cal…
Comparisons to Greenland saga
There are numerous parallels between the Saga of Erik the Red and the Greenland saga, including recurring characters and recountings of the same expeditions, though with a few notable differences. The saga of Erik the Red portrays a number of the expeditions in the Greenland saga as just one expedition led by Thorfinn Karlsefni, although Erik's son Thorvald, his daughter Freydís and Karlsefni's wife Gudrid play key roles in the retelling. Another notable difference is the locati…
External links
• Oleson, T. J. (1979) [1966]. "Eirikr Thorvaldsson". In Brown, George Williams (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. I (1000–1700) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
• "The Fate of Greenland's Vikings"
• "Eric the Red" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900.