Eirikr Thorvaldson, was famously known as Eirik the Red for his wild, red hair and beard. But it wasn’t just his fiery appearance that earned him the moniker. Eirikr was notorious for his quick temper and sharp tongue, which often landed him in trouble. Leifur’s grandfather, Thorvaldr Asvaldson, had been exiled from Norway for committing murder. It seemed that the fiery temper ran in the family.
Thorvaldr’s temper got him kicked out of Norway for murder. He took Eirikr with him, leaving his troubles behind in Norway. They traveled across treacherous waters, their longship slicing through the icy waves with ease. They were heading for Iceland, making their first stop at Drangar.
The father figure
Eirikr was one tough cookie. From a young age, he inherited his father’s bold spirit and wasn’t afraid of anything. He was driven to make something of himself and build a prosperous life in Iceland, and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals.
But don’t let this rough exterior fool you – Eirikr had a softer side too. He fell head over heels in love with a woman named Þórhildur Jörundardóttir and knew right away she was the one for him. And, as luck would have it, Þórhildur felt the same way about him.
Eirikr was a force to be reckoned with. He had strength and power that was unmatched by those around him. Unfortunately, he also had a dark side. Eirikr had a fierce temper that could boil over at the slightest provocation, and he wasn’t afraid to resort to violence when he felt wronged or threatened.
This aggressive streak caused Eirikr no end of trouble over the years. He had disputes with his fellow humans that sometimes turned violent, and there were even occasions where his actions led to the death of others.
Landslide
Eirikr had hoped that his move to Iceland would give him and his family a fresh start. They had left Norway behind, eager to begin a new life in a new land. But fate had a way of catching up to them.
Eirikr and his family were determined to make a new life for themselves in the rugged and unforgiving terrain of Hornstrandir, located in the north of Iceland. They worked tirelessly to construct a home in Haukadalir and integrate themselves into the local community. However, it was Eirikr’s thralls (slaves), who were in bondage in exchange for food and shelter, who bore the brunt of the labor.
But one day in 980, tragedy struck when Eirikr’s thralls inadvertently caused a landslide that crushed the neighboring home, Valþjófstaðir, owned by Valþjóf. As a result, Valþjóf’s kinsman, Eyjólfr the Foul, sought revenge and killed Eirikr’s thralls.
Erikr was outraged by this act of violence and, in a fit of rage, retaliated by taking the lives of Eyjólfr and Hólmgöngu-Hrafn, who was known to enforce clan law in the region. This act of vengeance led to a demand from Eyjólf’s kinsmen that Erikr be banished from Haukadalir.
Borrowing from neighbors
After leaving Hornstrandir, Erikr was determined to start anew on the island of Öxney. He worked tirelessly to rebuild his homestead, and things were looking up for him and his family. However, as luck would have it, trouble soon came knocking at his door once again.
Eirikr had entrusted his setstokkr, large pillars with mystical pagan Rune symbols, to Þorgestr, a fellow settler. But it was time to get them back.
But now, Þorgestr refused to give them back. Eirikr was furious. He had trusted Þorgestr and his betrayal was unacceptable. He could not allow this to stand, so he grabbed the setstokkr and headed back home.
On the way, Eirikr started thinking about the potential repercussions of retrieving the setstokkr. He decided to set up camp on the outskirts of Þorgestr’s settlement and wait for his chance. He knew he had to act quickly, for he feared retaliation. And so, he planned an ambush.
Suddenly, a fierce and tumultuous conflict erupted, and the calm was shattered as chaos reigned supreme. The sound of clashing weapons and grunts of pain filled the air as Eirikr and his men charged at Þorgestr and his men with unbridled fury. Two of Þorgestr’s sons were killed in the chaos.
The local Þingmen met, and once again, Eirikr found himself banished, this time for three years. He had committed manslaughter, and the punishment was severe. But Eirikr was unrepentant. He had been wronged, and he had to fight back.
Exodus
As Eirikr stood on the deck of the ship, banished from his homeland once again, he could feel a heavy weight in his heart. This time, he was not alone. With him were his wife and children, including young Leifur.
Eirikr and his family sailed across the rough and tumultuous seas, with the wind whipping their hair and the waves crashing against their boat. They had set out on a quest to find a new land, one that Eirikr had heard about from his friends.
Land
Excitement and anticipation bubbled up inside Eiríkr as he shared his plans with his closest friends. He had heard rumors and stories about a land that had been discovered by Gunnbjörn, son of Úlfur Hreiðarsson, almost a century ago. The idea of embarking on a journey to find this uncharted land filled Eirík with a sense of adventure and purpose.
For Eirikr and his family, the journey was about more than just discovering a new land. It was a chance to start anew, to leave behind the mistakes of the past and embrace a brighter future.
As they sailed further and further west, the air grew colder and the waters grew more dangerous. The wind howled around them, and the waves grew taller, threatening to capsize their boat at any moment. But Eirikr was undaunted, his eyes fixed on the horizon, scanning for any sign of land.
And then, finally, they spotted it: A vast expanse of white, stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was a land of ice and snow, unlike anything Eirikr had ever seen before.
It was a land of vast, sweeping valleys, snow-capped mountains and abundant wildlife. Eirikr was overjoyed, and he knew that he had found the perfect place to start a new life. The land was rich with resources, including fertile grounds made lush by glacial mud, and untold riches hidden beneath the ground.
He named the land Greenland, a name that he felt was appropriate to attract more settlers. It was a clever marketing tactic, designed to make the land sound more appealing than it really was. Eirikr knew that if he could convince others to join him in Greenland, they could build a new society, one that would thrive in this harsh and unforgiving environment.
Greenland green, Iceland ice...
But the names Iceland and Greenland have long been shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some say that Iceland was intentionally named to deter others from settling there, alluding to that it was not as hospitable as Greenland. Others believe it stems from the Old Norse name “Grœnland,” which means “green land” but was intended to describe the lush, fertile areas along the coast rather than the whole island.
Origin of names: Iceland
Iceland has had many names over the centuries, each one revealing a different aspect of its history and culture. The first recorded name for the island is potentially Thule, which was given by the ancient Greek explorer Pytheas of Massalia (Marseille) around 330-320 BC. According to his accounts, he sailed to the British Isles and then traveled for six days northward until he arrived at an island covered in ice, which he named Thule. In his writings, he states that the island was already populated:
“The people (of Thule) live on millet and other herbs, and on fruits and roots; and where there are grain and honey, the people get their beverage, also, from them. after first gathering in the ears thither; for the threshing floors become useless because of this lack of sunshine and because of the rains”
STRABO, GEOGRAPHICA (C. AD 30)
Although it is not certain that Thule was Iceland, some ancient maps do show Iceland labeled as “Thule” suggesting that this may have been the case. However, the name Thule did not stick.
One theory suggests that Irish monks (hermits) or Papar may have lived on the island before the arrival of the Vikings and gave it a name. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory
In 860, the pirate Naddoddur gave the island the name Snæland (Sneland, Snowland) after the snow-covered mountains in Reyðarfjordur. Later Gardar Svavarsson arrived and named it after himself, “Garðarshólmur” (Garðar’s islet). Then in 865, Floki came with his three ravens. He climbed up on a mountain in Vatnsfjordur, some speculated Arnarfjordur, and saw that it was covered in sea ice or icebergs and named the island Iceland.
Regardless of its name, Iceland remains a place of wonder and beauty, attracting visitors from all over the world who are captivated by its stunning landscapes, unique culture, and friendly people.
Origin of names: Greenland
In the year 876, Gunnbjörn Ulfsson, a Norse explorer, embarked on a journey across the treacherous North Atlantic Ocean in search of new lands to conquer and settle. After weeks of sailing through rough waters, his ship finally reached a group of small islands called Cross Islands (later known as Gunnbjörn’s Skerries) located between Iceland and Greenland. As he stepped onto the rocky shores, Gunnbjörn knew that he had discovered a land that was ripe for exploration.
Gunnbjörn wasted no time in exploring the islands and mapping out the area. The islands were small and rocky, with little vegetation and no signs of human habitation. Despite this, Gunnbjörn recognized their strategic location between Iceland and Greenland and saw their potential as an important stopover point for future Viking expeditions.
As the Norse explorer Gunnbjörn landed on the rocky shores of the Cross Islands in 876, he couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw a large island in the distance. He named it Cronland (Gronland).
It’s also said that the sea northwest of Iceland was considered a part of the Cronian Sea, which inspired the name Cronland. The Cronian Sea was named after the Greek god Cronus, who was associated with agriculture and harvest. In this sense, Cronland can indicate fertile land.
A new place, a new life
Eiríkr’s return to Iceland after three years in Greenland marked a turning point in the Viking Age. He returned with tales of a land with abundant resources and opportunity, and his persuasive words convinced many Icelanders to join him on his expedition to Greenland. Among those who stood by him was his own son, Leifur. Leifur grew up in Greenland, surrounded by the harsh but beautiful landscape of the icy island. His upbringing instilled in him a love for exploration and adventure, and he soon became one of his father’s most trusted companions.
After a time, Eiríkr sent Leifur to Norway to serve as a bodyguard to King Olaf. Leifur’s journey to Norway in 1000 BC was a pivotal moment in his life. He spent the winter in the house of King Olaf Tryggvason, where he was exposed to Christianity for the first time. The king was known for his efforts to spread Christianity throughout Norway and had a profound impact on Leif’s beliefs. Leif was so moved by the king’s teachings that he decided to convert to Christianity.
After his conversion to Christianity, Leifur was sent back to Greenland by the King to spread the new religion among the people there. His message was well-received, and many people converted to Christianity, including his mother, Þórhildur Jörundardóttir. She was baptized and given a new name, Þjóðhildur, which means “valkyrie”.
Leifur’s conversion to Christianity was not an isolated event. Upon his return to Greenland, he worked to spread the religion among the Viking colonists. This was no small task, as the colonists had a deep-seated belief in the Old Norse gods. However, Leifur was able to use his influence as the son of Eiríkr the Red and his own personal charisma to convince many to convert. In fact, Leifur is credited with establishing the first Christian church in Greenland.
This first church was dedicated to his mother. As a devout Christian, Þórhildur wanted to build a church where people could come to worship. Leifur supported his mother’s vision, and together they built a church, which was named the Church of Þjóðhildur. His father, Eirikr, was another story. He was a hardcore pagan.
But Eiríkr’s wife was not one to give up easily. She knew that if she was going to convince her husband to convert, she would have to take a different approach. And so, she decided to withhold sex from him.
Eiríkr had always been deeply rooted in his paganistic beliefs, and the thought of converting to Christianity did not sit well with him. Despite his wife’s best efforts to persuade him, he remained stubborn and unwilling to change his ways.
At first, Eirík was angry and frustrated. He couldn’t understand why his wife would deny him something so basic and essential to their relationship. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, he began to see things differently.
As he struggled with his desire for his wife, Eiríkr started to question his beliefs and his way of life. He began to see the value in Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ. And so, he relented and embraced his wife’s faith.
Leifur the Lucky
Eiríkr’s conversion was a turning point for Greenland. Soon, all of the colonies followed suit and converted to Christianity.
During one of Leifur’s voyages, while sailing through the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic, he noticed something that caught his attention. In the distance, he saw a shipwrecked sailors desperately clinging to anything that would keep them afloat. It was clear that the sailors had been in a terrible accident, possibly crashing into an iceberg or some other natural hazard. Leifur knew that he had to act quickly if he was going to save their lives.
Without hesitation, Leifur and his crew sprang into action, maneuvering their own ship closer to the wreckage. They worked feverishly to rescue the sailors, who were weak, cold, and in shock. With great effort, they managed to bring all of the survivors back on board and make their way back to Greenland.
It was during this same voyage that Leifur is said to have discovered Vinland the Good, according to accounts by King Olaf Tryggvason. This was an extraordinary achievement, and it would have cemented Leifur’s reputation as a skilled and resourceful navigator.
In addition to his discovery of Vinland the Good, Leifur was also known for his other remarkable achievements. He was credited with introducing Christianity to Greenland, which had a profound impact on the people and culture of the region. And because of his many good qualities and accomplishments, he earned the nickname Leifur the Lucky, which he wore as a badge of honor.
After Leifur returned to Greenland and shared the news of his discovery of Vinland the Good, he quickly became the talk of the town. People were amazed at his accomplishments and wanted to hear all about his incredible voyage. As a result, Leifur received a great deal of fame and fortune, which he enjoyed immensely.
Eiríkr the Red, Leifur’s father, passed away the following winter, leaving Leifur to navigate the challenges of life without him. At this point, Leifur did not have any strong ties to Iceland, the country of his birth. Instead, his family and community were in Greenland, where he had grown up.
It is possible that some Icelanders felt a stronger emotional connection to the school cairn tower than they did to the statue of Leifur. This could be because Leifur had left Iceland at a young age and did not have many stories of goodwill associated with his time there. Additionally, his father was not known for being a particularly honorable man, which may have colored people’s perception of Leifur as well.
Despite these challenges, Leifur continued to be known for his many accomplishments and good deeds. He was revered as a skilled navigator, a brave adventurer, and a faithful Christian. And even though he may not have had strong ties to Iceland, his legacy lives on as one of the greatest explorers of all time.
