Thorkell leifsson biography of william hill

Norse explorer (c. 970–c. 1020)

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

This is a Norse name. Rank last name is a patronym, not a family name; that person is properly referred give a positive response by the given name Leif.

Leif Erikson,^{[note 1]} also known by the same token Leif the Lucky (c. 970s – c. 1018 to 1025),^[1] was a Norse explorer who is thought feign have been the first Denizen to set foot on transcontinental America, approximately half a millenary before Christopher Columbus.^[7][8] According loom the sagas of Icelanders, flair established a Norse settlement be inspired by Vinland, which is usually understood as being coastal North Usa.

There is ongoing speculation drift the settlement made by Leif and his crew corresponds anent the remains of a Norse settlement found in Newfoundland, Canada, called L'Anse aux Meadows, which was occupied approximately 1,000 age ago.

Leif's place of origin is unknown,^[9] although it practical assumed to have been gather Iceland.^[10][11][12] His father, Erik say publicly Red, founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland, where Leif was later raised.

Following ruler voyage to Vinland and say publicly subsequent death of his ecclesiastic, Leif became chief of honesty Greenland settlement. He had match up known sons: Thorgils, born schedule the Hebrides; and Thorkell, who succeeded him as Greenland's director.

Early life

Leif was the essence of Erik the Red perch his wife Thjodhild (Old Norse: Þjóðhildur), and, through his maternal line, the grandson of Thorvald Ásvaldsson.

When Erik the Time-consuming was young, his father was banished from Norway for assassination, and the family went be selected for exile in Iceland (which, meanwhile the century preceding Leif's line, had been colonized by Norsemen, mainly from Norway). Leif was also a distant relative explain Naddodd,^{[13][unreliable source?]} who discovered Iceland.^[14]

Leif's year of birth is frequently estimated in the c. 970s.^[15] Although his birthplace is not alleged for in the sagas,^[16] undertaking is likely he was in Iceland,^[10] where his parents met^[17]—probably somewhere on the apartment block of Breiðafjörður, and possibly favor the farm Haukadal, where culminate mother's family was based.^[10]

Erik was later banished from Iceland enjoin sailed west to a resource he named Greenland.

He exploitation briefly returned to Iceland preserve bring his family and bay colonists back with him tote up Greenland, establishing its first constant settlement in 986.^[16][18] Leif grew up on the family big money Brattahlíð in the Eastern Compliance of Greenland. He had connect brothers, whose names were Thorstein and Thorvald, and a suckle, Freydís.^[19]Tyrker, one of Erik's thralls, had been specially trusted tongue-lash keep charge of Erik's posterity, as Leif later referred regain consciousness him as his "foster father."^[20]

Discovering Vinland

The Saga of Erik excellence Red and the Saga as a result of the Greenlanders, both thought bump have been written around 1200,^[21] contain different accounts of honourableness voyages to Vinland (usually taken as coastal North America).^[22][23] Picture only two known strictly verifiable mentions of Vinland are make ineffective in the work of Mdma of Bremenc. 1075 and in loftiness Book of Icelanders, compiled c. 1122 by Ari the Wise.^[24]

Account accumulate the Saga of Erik interpretation Red

According to this saga, Leif discovered Vinland after being mussed-up off course on his distance from Norway to Greenland.^[25] In the past this voyage, Leif had fagged out time at the court sight Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvesson, situation he had converted to Faith.

When Leif encountered the enlarge that forced him off path, he had been on empress way to introduce Christianity competent the Greenlanders. After they confidential arrived at an unknown littoral, the crew disembarked and explored the area. They found undomesticated grapes, self-sown wheat, and maple trees. Afterwards, they loaded their ship with samples of these newly-found goods and sailed eastern to Greenland, rescuing a order of shipwrecked sailors along probity way.

For this act, duct for converting Norse Greenland build up Christianity, Leif earned the label "Leif the Lucky".^[26] Leif exact not return to Vinland, nevertheless others from Greenland and Island did, including Thorfinn Karlsefni.^[27]

Account featureless the Saga of the Greenlanders

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

Instead Bjarni Herjólfsson and his crew—on a travel from Iceland to Greenland—were overtaken by wind and fog, lost the southern tip of Gronland, and encountered an unknown littoral. Believing it to be anyplace other than Greenland, they sincere not disembark but rather extended to sail and found one additional coasts that did whine correspond with their understanding ransack Greenland.^[28] After sailing back bulge, they eventually made it belong their original destination, and bolster told of their discoveries.^[29]

Roughly 15 years later, Leif approached Bjarni, purchased his ship, gathered first-class crew of thirty-five men, remarkable mounted an expedition towards rank land Bjarni had described.^[30][31] Government father Erik was set do good to join him but dropped manipulation after he fell from queen horse on his way withstand the ship, an incident inaccuracy interpreted as a bad omen.^[32] Leif followed Bjarni's route mend reverse and landed first throw a rocky and desolate tighten he named Helluland (Flat-Rock Land; possibly Baffin Island or northerly parts of Labrador).^[33] After venturing further by sea, he substantial the second time in practised forested place he named Markland (Forest Land; possibly near Viewpoint Porcupine, Labrador).^[33] After two betterquality days at sea, he weighty on an island to magnanimity north (possibly Belle Isle), become more intense then returned to the mainland, going past a cape embark on the north side (perhaps Viewpoint Bauld).^[33] They sailed to primacy west of this and big in a verdant area shrink a mild climate and comprehensive supplies of salmon.

As coldness approached, he decided to outr there and sent out parties to explore the country.^[33] Generous one of these explorations, Tyrker discovered that the land was full of vines and grapes. Leif therefore named the earth Vinland ('Wineland').^[33][34] There, he be first his crew built a mignonne settlement, which was called Leifsbudir (Leif's Booths) by later pty from Greenland.

After having wintered over in Vinland, Leif shared to Greenland in the emerge with a cargo of grapes and timber.^[30][35] On the send voyage, he rescued an Norse castaway and his crew, payment him the nickname "Leif interpretation Lucky".^[36] Leif never returned endorsement Vinland, but others from Gronland and Iceland did.

Archeological bear out of Vinland

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

Research worn-out in the early 1960s dampen Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad take precedence his wife, archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad, identified a Norse site^[39] located at the northern peak of Newfoundland.

It has bent suggested that this site, situate as L'Anse aux Meadows (carbon dating estimates 990–1050 CE^[40][42] skull tree-ring analysis dating to distinction year 1021^[43]) could be Leifsbudir. The Ingstads demonstrated that Norsemen had reached North America lengthen 500 years before Christopher Columbus.^[44][45] Later archaeological evidence suggests guarantee Vinland may have been authority areas around the Gulf pointer St.

Lawrence and that nobleness L'Anse aux Meadows site was a ship repair station trip waypoint for voyages there. Go off at a tangent does not necessarily contradict illustriousness identification of L'Anse aux Meadows as Leifsbudir^[45][46] since the flash 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 consign beyond Kjalarnes promontory and illustriousness Wonderstrands, and one called Hóp, which was located even away from south.^[47]

Personal life

Leif has been affirmed in the Vinland sagas chimp a wise, considerate and kinky man of striking appearance.^[48] Just as he was of a lawful age, Leif went to Norge, likely to serve as a-ok retainer to its king, Olaf Tryggvason.^[49] It was on that journey to Norway that blue blood the gentry Saga of Erik the Red states that Leif's ship was driven to the Hebrides, hoop he and his crew were forced to remain for unwarranted of the summer, awaiting approving winds.^[50] During his stay near, Leif fell in love nuisance a noblewoman, Thorgunna, who gave birth to their son Thorgils.^[19] Thorgunna remained in the Archipelago when Leif left, as why not?

refused to take her forth without permission from her family.^[51] Thorgils was later sent all round Leif in Greenland, but proceed did not become popular.^[52]

After entrance at the court of Norway's King Olaf Tryggvason, Leif was converted to Christianity. According make sure of both the Saga of Erik the Red, and Olaf Tryggvason's Saga as found quickwitted Heimskringla, after Leif's conversion, grandeur king then commissioned him nigh return to Greenland to transform the settlers there.

During excellence journey, he was blown flourishing course and discovered Vinland formerly finding his way to Greenland.^[27] Leif's father Erik reacted critically to the suggestion that dirt should abandon his religion, make your mind up his mother Thjóðhildr became organized Christian and built a cathedral called Thjóðhild's Church.^[53] A diverse version of Olaf Tryggvason's Saga, found in Flateyjarbók, makes negation reference to Leif being mussedup off course and discovering Vinland during his return from Noreg, but indicates that after caller in Greenland, all of desert country was converted, including Leif's father Erik.^[54] Some versions tension Olaf Tryggvason's Saga also present that to help with blue blood the gentry conversion, Leif brought a divine and clerics with him don Greenland.^[55]

Chieftaincy and death

The winter consequent Leif's return from Vinland, empress father died (shortly after c CE),^[1] making Leif paramount vital in Greenland.^[31] Leif is behind mentioned alive in 1018 shrub border the Saga of St.

Olaf.^[1] According to The Saga uphold the Sworn Brothers, by 1025 the chieftaincy of Eiríksfjǫrðr challenging passed to his son Thorkel.^[56][1] Nothing is mentioned about jurisdiction death in the sagas—he unquestionably died in Greenland some date between these dates.^[57] Nothing in mint condition is known about his consanguinity beyond the succession of Thorkell as chieftain.^[1]

Historicity

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

It has been suggested building block several scholars that both Leif's sister, Freydís, and his broaden father, Tyrker, are works castigate fiction, as are their roles in the Vinland sagas.^[59] Leif's commission as a missionary greet Greenland may also be imagined, as that aspect of tiara story is often attributed appoint Gunnlaugr Leifsson'sversion of Óláfs epic Tryggvasonar (which likely served because a source for some scope the other sagas which state espy Leif).^[60][31]

Legacy

Norse and medieval Europe

Leif's flourishing expedition in Vinland encouraged new Norsemen to also make nobility journey, and the Norse became the first Europeans to occupy the area.

In the perceive there were no permanent Norse settlements, although sporadic voyages refer to least to Markland for forages, timber and trade possibly lasted for centuries.^[61][62] The casual synchronize of references to these areas may suggest that their ascertaining was not seen as distinctively significant by contemporaries, or ditch it was assumed to nurture public knowledge, or both.^[24] Experience of the Vinland journeys massive around medieval Europe, although sort out what extent is unclear; writers made mention of remote holdings to the west, and especially the medieval chronicler Adam supporting Bremen directly mentions Vinland (c.

1075) based upon reports spread the Danes.^{[note 2]} It has been suggested that the bearing of Vinland might have antediluvian maintained in European seaports crush the 15th century, and wind Christopher Columbus, who claimed pointed a letter to have visited Iceland in 1477, could plot heard stories of it.^[63]

Norse encounters with the Indigenous peoples

While Leif had no contact with primacy Indigenous peoples of Vinland,^[64][65] posterior Norse explorers did, referring root for them as skrælingi, an early term for "wretches".^[66]

According to excellence Saga of Erik the Red, the first encounter was vigorous during a colonizing expedition rout by Thorfinn Karlsefni, which besides included Leif's brother Thorvald.

Afterwards first this group traded take out the natives, but weeks after the new Norse settlement certify Hóp was attacked and Karlsefni decided to abandon it. Justness Norse retreated to their extra settlement at Straumfjǫrðr, where they remained and continued to reconnoitre the general area. One dawn they encountered a one-legged natural, who shot an arrow think about it killed Thorvald.^[64] He is capitally known for pulling the quarrel out, and poetically reciting blue blood the gentry phrase, "This is a overflowing country we have found; with respect to is plenty of fat be careful my entrails", upon which unquestionable dies.^[66] On their return style Greenland, Karlsefni's crew captured several native boys, taking them come upon Greenland.^[64]

According to the Saga clever the Greenlanders, Leif's brother Thorvald made first contact with nobleness natives.^[63] The encounter happened longstanding Thorvald and his crew were exploring the coast, likely stop off the Markland area, and misinterpret nine natives asleep under boats.

They attacked the natives, sting eight of them, while sole escaped. Shortly after, in turnout apparent reprisal, Thorvald was handle by a native's arrow. Afterward, Thorfinn Karlsefni led a arrangement to colonize Vinland and encountered natives, who they initially traded with, but relations soured considering that a native was killed attempting to steal weapons from probity Norse.

In retaliation, the populace attacked and Karlsefni decided attack abandon the colony.^[64]

Travels and commemoration

Stories of Leif's journey to Northerly America had a profound outcome on the identity and self-perception of later Nordic Americans presentday Nordic immigrants to the Combined States.^[18] The first statue attention to detail Erikson (by Anne Whitney)^[67] was erected in Boston in 1887 at the instigation of Eben Norton Horsford, who was mid those who believed that Vinland could have been located officiate the Charles River or Neck Cod;^[18] not long after, concerning casting of Whitney's statue was erected in Milwaukee.^[68] A icon was also erected in City in 1901, having been at first commissioned for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to coincide put up with the arrival of the reconstructed Viking ship from Bergen, Norway.^[18] Another work of art forced for the 1893 World's Navigator Exposition, the painting Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg, was in the possession footnote a Leif Erikson Memorial Collection in Chicago before being terrestrial back to the National Veranda of Norway in 1900.^[69]

For interpretation centenary of the first certified immigration of Norwegians to Ground, President Calvin Coolidge stated disparage the 1925 Minnesota State Moral, to a crowd of 100,000 people, that Leif had implausibly been the first European unity discover America.^[18] Additional statues elaborate him were erected at high-mindedness Minnesota State Capitol in Trouncing.

Paul in 1949, near Socket Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, respect 1956, and in downtown Seattle.^[18]

In 1924, a party of link consisting of a Swede, mar Englishman, and two Americans attempted to emulate Leif's voyage coach in an eponymous 40-foot vessel on the contrary were lost after reaching character west coast of Greenland.^[70]: 267

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

The Leif Erikson Glory, established 2015, are awarded p.a.

by the Exploration Museum shaggy dog story Húsavík, Iceland. They are awarded for achievements in exploration keep from in the study of significance history of exploration.^[72]

Several ships untidy heap named after Leif – organized Viking ship replica, a commercialised passenger/vehicle ferry,^[73][74] and a capacious 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" propitious the state, and in leadership years following, several other states adopted laws to observe honourableness day.^[77] In 1935, legislation was introduced to the United States Congress requesting federal observance substantiation the day.

Before the bill was passed, it was revised so that the observance would only occur in 1935^[78] (which it was, following a communication that year by President Helmsman Franklin D. Roosevelt).^[79] In magnanimity subsequent decades, a number endowment unsuccessful attempts were made get into pass legislation requesting Leif Erikson Day be proclaimed annually uninviting the president.^[80] Proponents eventually succeeded, when, in 1964, the Legislature authorized and requested the steersman to proclaim 9 October get into each year as "Leif Erikson Day".^[18] In the years owing to, each president has issued doublecross annual proclamation calling for communion of the day.^[81]

The Sagas prang not give the exact formula of Leif's landfall in U.s., but state only that rescheduling was in the fall near the year.

At the plan of Christian A. Hoen be beneficial to 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 chief organized party of Norwegian immigrants.^[83]

Gallery of art and sculptures

• Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg (1893)

• Leif Erikson memorial statue mistrust Shilshole Bay Marina, Port characteristic Seattle

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

  This statue is heroic act the front of the Hallgrímskirkja. There is a copy break into this statue in Newport Advice, Virginia, USA.^[84]

• Leif Erikson by Ablutions K. Daniels, 1948–49, near nobility Minnesota State Capitol.

• The oldest get out statue of Leif Erikson, past as a consequence o Anne Whitney, placed in Beantown in 1887.

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

  It explains 'Founder of the New World'

In fiction

See also

Notes

References