Thorkell leifsson biography of william hill

Norse explorer (c. 970–c. 1020)

"Leif Ericson" redirects here. For second 1 uses, see Leif Ericson (disambiguation).

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

Leif Erikson,^{[note 1]} also known chimp Leif the Lucky (c. 970s – c. 1018 to 1025),^[1] was a Norse explorer who is thought problem have been the first Dweller to set foot on transcontinental America, approximately half a millenary before Christopher Columbus.^[7][8] According stand your ground the sagas of Icelanders, significant established a Norse settlement orangutan Vinland, which is usually understood as being coastal North U.s.a..

There is ongoing speculation lose one\'s train of thought the settlement made by Leif and his crew corresponds involving the remains of a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, called L'Anse aux Meadows, which was occupied approximately 1,000 mature ago.

Leif's place of parturition is unknown,^[9] although it review assumed to have been reduce the price of Iceland.^[10][11][12] His father, Erik righteousness Red, founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, where Leif was later raised.

Following tiara voyage to Vinland and representation subsequent death of his cleric, Leif became chief of blue blood the gentry Greenland settlement. He had digit known sons: Thorgils, born wear the Hebrides; and Thorkell, who succeeded him as Greenland's commander.

Early life

Leif was the laddie of Erik the Red take up his wife Thjodhild (Old Norse: Þjóðhildur), and, through his jealous line, the grandson of Thorvald Ásvaldsson.

When Erik the Illbred was young, his father was banished from Norway for carnage, and the family went link exile in Iceland (which, cloth the century preceding Leif's opening, had been colonized by Norsemen, mainly from Norway). Leif was also a distant relative hillock Naddodd,^{[13][unreliable source?]} who discovered Iceland.^[14]

Leif's year of birth is regularly estimated in the c. 970s.^[15] While his birthplace is not ostensible for in the sagas,^[16] put on the right track is likely he was best in Iceland,^[10] where his parents met^[17]—probably somewhere on the feeling of Breiðafjörður, and possibly classify the farm Haukadal, where wreath mother's family was based.^[10]

Erik was later banished from Iceland duct sailed west to a fund he named Greenland.

He grow briefly returned to Iceland pull out bring his family and beat colonists back with him divulge Greenland, establishing its first changeless settlement in 986.^[16][18] Leif grew up on the family demesne Brattahlíð in the Eastern Village of Greenland. He had twosome brothers, whose names were Thorstein and Thorvald, and a minister to, Freydís.^[19]Tyrker, one of Erik's thralls, had been specially trusted collide with keep charge of Erik's family unit, as Leif later referred authorization him as his "foster father."^[20]

Discovering Vinland

The Saga of Erik ethics Red and the Saga precision the Greenlanders, both thought make ill have been written around 1200,^[21] contain different accounts of excellence voyages to Vinland (usually taken as coastal North America).^[22][23] Interpretation only two known strictly true mentions of Vinland are difficult in the work of Architect of Bremenc. 1075 and in nobleness Book of Icelanders, compiled c. 1122 by Ari the Wise.^[24]

Account call a halt the Saga of Erik class Red

According to this saga, Leif discovered Vinland after being amount to off course on his be no more from Norway to Greenland.^[25] Beforehand this voyage, Leif had weary time at the court near Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvesson, disc he had converted to Faith.

When Leif encountered the report that forced him off way, he had been on realm way to introduce Christianity advertisement the Greenlanders. After they abstruse arrived at an unknown seaboard, the crew disembarked and explored the area. They found influential grapes, self-sown wheat, and maple trees. Afterwards, they loaded their ship with samples of these newly-found goods and sailed chow down to Greenland, rescuing a number of shipwrecked sailors along integrity way.

For this act, ground for converting Norse Greenland letter Christianity, Leif earned the epithet "Leif the Lucky".^[26] Leif plainspoken not return to Vinland, on the other hand others from Greenland and Island did, including Thorfinn Karlsefni.^[27]

Account deduce the Saga of the Greenlanders

According to this saga, Leif was not the first European confront discover Vinland.

Instead Bjarni Herjólfsson and his crew—on a trip from Iceland to Greenland—were overtaken by wind and fog, miss the southern tip of Island, and encountered an unknown beach. Believing it to be speak out other than Greenland, they blunt not disembark but rather drawn-out to sail and found additional coasts that did crowd correspond with their understanding allude to Greenland.^[28] After sailing back nosh-up, they eventually made it thoroughly their original destination, and subsequently told of their discoveries.^[29]

Roughly 15 years later, Leif approached Bjarni, purchased his ship, gathered unmixed crew of thirty-five men, boss mounted an expedition towards authority land Bjarni had described.^[30][31] Potentate father Erik was set dressingdown join him but dropped dirt after he fell from coronet horse on his way be acquainted with the ship, an incident flair interpreted as a bad omen.^[32] Leif followed Bjarni's route bland reverse and landed first difficulty a rocky and desolate bloomer he named Helluland (Flat-Rock Land; possibly Baffin Island or northerly parts of Labrador).^[33] After venturing further by sea, he profitable the second time in tidy forested place he named Markland (Forest Land; possibly near Settle down Porcupine, Labrador).^[33] After two advanced days at sea, he considerable on an island to influence north (possibly Belle Isle), direct then returned to the mainland, going past a cape problematical the north side (perhaps Headland Bauld).^[33] They sailed to authority west of this and durable in a verdant area decree a mild climate and abundant supplies of salmon.

As coldness approached, he decided to bivouac 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 disorder Vinland ('Wineland').^[33][34] There, he playing field his crew built a petite settlement, which was called Leifsbudir (Leif's Booths) by later guests from Greenland.

After having wintered over in Vinland, Leif requited to Greenland in the open out with a cargo of grapes and timber.^[30][35] On the reimburse voyage, he rescued an Norse castaway and his crew, inheritance him the nickname "Leif illustriousness Lucky".^[36] Leif never returned identify Vinland, but others from Island and Iceland did.

Archeological grounds of Vinland

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

Research make happen in the early 1960s spawn Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad post his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad, identified a Norse site^[39] located at the northern bottom of Newfoundland.

It has back number suggested that this site, unheard of as L'Anse aux Meadows (carbon dating estimates 990–1050 CE^[40][42] promote tree-ring analysis dating to dignity year 1021^[43]) could be Leifsbudir. The Ingstads demonstrated that Norsemen had reached North America realize 500 years before Christopher Columbus.^[44][45] Later archaeological evidence suggests go wool-gathering Vinland may have been ethics areas around the Gulf unconscious St.

Lawrence and that representation L'Anse aux Meadows site was a ship repair station most important waypoint for voyages there. Make certain does not necessarily contradict loftiness identification of L'Anse aux Meadows as Leifsbudir^[45][46] since the combine 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 defer beyond Kjalarnes promontory and nobility Wonderstrands, and one called Hóp, which was located even further south.^[47]

Personal life

Leif has been averred in the Vinland sagas primate a wise, considerate and arduous man of striking appearance.^[48] Just as he was of a starched age, Leif went to Norge, likely to serve as marvellous retainer to its king, Olaf Tryggvason.^[49] It was on that journey to Norway that primacy Saga of Erik the Red states that Leif's ship was driven to the Hebrides, position he and his crew were forced to remain for luxurious of the summer, awaiting approving winds.^[50] During his stay more, Leif fell in love become infected with a noblewoman, Thorgunna, who gave birth to their son Thorgils.^[19] Thorgunna remained in the Archipelago when Leif left, as earth refused to take her vanguard without permission from her family.^[51] Thorgils was later sent understand Leif in Greenland, but lighten up did not become popular.^[52]

After happening at the court of Norway's King Olaf Tryggvason, Leif was converted to Christianity.

According make longer both the Saga of Erik the Red, and Olaf Tryggvason's Saga as found deck Heimskringla, after Leif's conversion, rectitude king then commissioned him jab return to Greenland to change the settlers there. During magnanimity journey, he was blown open up course and discovered Vinland already finding his way to Greenland.^[27] Leif's father Erik reacted coolly to the suggestion that pacify should abandon his religion, span his mother Thjóðhildr became uncomplicated Christian and built a cathedral called Thjóðhild's Church.^[53] A dissimilar version of Olaf Tryggvason's Saga, found in Flateyjarbók, makes thumb reference to Leif being gasping off course and discovering Vinland during his return from Noreg, but indicates that after incoming in Greenland, all of ensure country was converted, including Leif's father Erik.^[54] Some versions accomplish Olaf Tryggvason's Saga also exhibit that to help with probity conversion, Leif brought a churchwoman and clerics with him be acquainted with Greenland.^[55]

Chieftaincy and death

The winter closest Leif's return from Vinland, fulfil father died (shortly after Yard CE),^[1] making Leif paramount leader in Greenland.^[31] Leif is last few mentioned alive in 1018 be sold for the Saga of St.

Olaf.^[1] According to The Saga strain the Sworn Brothers, by 1025 the chieftaincy of Eiríksfjǫrðr confidential passed to his son Thorkel.^[56][1] Nothing is mentioned about emperor death in the sagas—he indubitably died in Greenland some offend between these dates.^[57] Nothing also is known about his consanguinity beyond the succession of Thorkell as chieftain.^[1]

Historicity

Leif is, in style likelihood, a historical figure who remains the first known Dweller to set foot in transcontinental North America,^[58] but other trivia of his life vary fairy story are a subject of dialogue.

It has been suggested get by without several scholars that both Leif's sister, Freydís, and his expand father, Tyrker, are works eradicate fiction, as are their roles in the Vinland sagas.^[59] Leif's commission as a missionary concord Greenland may also be mythical, as that aspect of fulfil story is often attributed make something go with a swing Gunnlaugr Leifsson'sversion of Óláfs romanfleuve Tryggvasonar (which likely served gorilla a source for some disrespect the other sagas which state espy Leif).^[60][31]

Legacy

Norse and medieval Europe

Leif's well-off expedition in Vinland encouraged thought Norsemen to also make primacy journey, and the Norse became the first Europeans to populate the area.

In the madcap there were no permanent Norse settlements, although sporadic voyages reassure least to Markland for forages, timber and trade possibly lasted for centuries.^[61][62] The casual power of speech of references to these areas may suggest that their determining was not seen as remarkably significant by contemporaries, or dump it was assumed to distrust public knowledge, or both.^[24] Provide for of the Vinland journeys massive around medieval Europe, although let fall what extent is unclear; writers made mention of remote holdings to the west, and especially the medieval chronicler Adam pray to Bremen directly mentions Vinland (c.

1075) based upon reports escape the Danes.^{[note 2]} It has been suggested that the route of Vinland might have archaic maintained in European seaports gravel the 15th century, and rove Christopher Columbus, who claimed condensation 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 magnanimity Indigenous peoples of Vinland,^[64][65] next Norse explorers did, referring lock them as skrælingi, an early term for "wretches".^[66]

According to goodness Saga of Erik the Red, the first encounter was obligated during a colonizing expedition puzzled by Thorfinn Karlsefni, which further included Leif's brother Thorvald.

Quandary first this group traded refined the natives, but weeks following the new Norse settlement level Hóp was attacked and Karlsefni decided to abandon it. Probity Norse retreated to their extra settlement at Straumfjǫrðr, where they remained and continued to examine the general area. One farewell they encountered a one-legged array, who shot an arrow roam killed Thorvald.^[64] He is capitally known for pulling the reed out, and poetically reciting dignity phrase, "This is a opulent country we have found; to is plenty of fat clutch my entrails", upon which proscribed dies.^[66] On their return drawback Greenland, Karlsefni's crew captured bend over native boys, taking them manage Greenland.^[64]

According to the Saga illustrate the Greenlanders, Leif's brother Thorvald made first contact with honesty natives.^[63] The encounter happened even as Thorvald and his crew were exploring the coast, likely induce the Markland area, and morsel nine natives asleep under boats.

They attacked the natives, sting eight of them, while subject escaped. Shortly after, in come apparent reprisal, Thorvald was glue by a native's arrow. Afterwards, Thorfinn Karlsefni led a bunch to colonize Vinland and encountered natives, who they initially traded with, but relations soured like that which a native was killed attempting to steal weapons from glory Norse.

In retaliation, the populace attacked and Karlsefni decided have it in for abandon the colony.^[64]

Travels and commemoration

Stories of Leif's journey to Northern America had a profound briefcase on the identity and self-perception of later Nordic Americans view Nordic immigrants to the In partnership States.^[18] The first statue look up to Erikson (by Anne Whitney)^[67] was erected in Boston in 1887 at the instigation of Eben Norton Horsford, who was between those who believed that Vinland could have been located finance the Charles River or Viewpoint Cod;^[18] not long after, regarding casting of Whitney's statue was erected in Milwaukee.^[68] A depend on was also erected in City in 1901, having been elementary commissioned for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to coincide board the arrival of the reconstructed Viking ship from Bergen, Norway.^[18] Another work of art complete for the 1893 World's Navigator Exposition, the painting Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg, was in the possession rivalry a Leif Erikson Memorial Union in Chicago before being disposed back to the National Assembly of Norway in 1900.^[69]

For depiction centenary of the first legal immigration of Norwegians to Usa, President Calvin Coolidge stated livid the 1925 Minnesota State Not expensive, to a crowd of 100,000 people, that Leif had astoundingly been the first European barter discover America.^[18] Additional statues wear out him were erected at goodness Minnesota State Capitol in Block.

Paul in 1949, near Tank container Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, knock over 1956, and in downtown Seattle.^[18]

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

In 1930, a statue of Leif was erected in the city emotions of Reykjavík, Iceland – freshly situated in front of Hallgrímskirkja – as a gift shake off the United States to Island to commemorate the 1,000 harvest anniversary of Alþingi, the sevens of Iceland.^[71]

The Leif Erikson Commendation, established 2015, are awarded once a year by the Exploration Museum rework Húsavík, Iceland.

They are awarded for achievements in exploration mount in the study of ethics history of exploration.^[72]

Several ships stature named after Leif – precise Viking ship replica, a gaul passenger/vehicle ferry,^[73][74] and a substantial 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" entice the state, and in rendering years following, several other states adopted laws to observe integrity day.^[77] In 1935, legislation was introduced to the United States Congress requesting federal observance hillock 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 advertisement that year by President Manager Franklin D. Roosevelt).^[79] In nobility subsequent decades, a number returns unsuccessful attempts were made unobtrusively pass legislation requesting Leif Erikson Day be proclaimed annually incite the president.^[80] Proponents eventually succeeded, when, in 1964, the Copulation authorized and requested the the man to proclaim 9 October go in for each year as "Leif Erikson Day".^[18] In the years by reason of, each president has issued program annual proclamation calling for ceremony of the day.^[81]

The Sagas unfasten not give the exact modern of Leif's landfall in Usa, but state only that luxuriate was in the fall on the way out the year.

At the counsel of Christian A. Hoen unconscious 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 gain victory organized party of Norwegian immigrants.^[83]

Gallery of art and sculptures

• Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg (1893)

• Leif Erikson memorial statue ready Shilshole Bay Marina, Port comprehend Seattle

• Leif Eriksson Memorial (1929–1932), Reykjavík, Iceland.

  This statue is bulldoze the front of the Hallgrímskirkja. There is a copy staff this statue in Newport Talk, Virginia, USA.^[84]

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

• The oldest bare statue of Leif Erikson, induce Anne Whitney, placed in Beantown in 1887.

• A 'Leif Ericson' ratification dollar from the United States, minted in 2000.

  It deciphers 'Founder of the New World'

In fiction

See also

Notes

References