Leif Eriksson

0: Final Return to Greenland

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4: Discovering Markland

Sailing on, Eriksson found another island that was flat, with white sand and some trees. This island contained small, thick forests. It was definitely more interesting than Helluland, but not what he was seeking. Markland today is believed to be Labrador, Canada.

5: Finding Helluland

When Leif saw land, it was not what Hergelfson had described. The land was like a huge flat rock, which stopped where large great mountains of ice began. It was a land entirely devoid of good qualities. Before sailing away, Eriksson named this Helluland. Today this is believed to be Baffin Island, Canada.

6: First Journey from Brattahlid, Greenland

It was the year 1000 when Leif Eriksson, age 24, left Greenland and went to Norway to bring gifts to King Olaf. Leif was eager to plan his journey and set sail, and was determined to make sure his first mission was successful.

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7: Restless in Greenland

Leif returned to Greenland, and became restless. He recalled a story that a man named Bjarni Hergelfson told him about his journey through an unmapped area. Thinking he was in a new part of Greenland, Hergelfson discovered the land was covered in trees, not glaciers. He was not in Greenland, but a “New World”. As Leif remembered this story, he became eager to follow Hergelfson’s trail. He bought Hergelfson’s boat, and went to find this new, strange, land.

8: Returning to Greenland

On the return journey to Greenland, Leif was given the nickname “Leif the Lucky”, for his great success of good travel and wealth. Once he did return home, he became very well known, and spread Christianity throughout Greenland. He never did return to Vinland. Leif stayed in Greenland until his death 1020.

9: Trondhjem, Norway

When Eriksson and his crew arrived in the first capital of Norway, Olaf was very pleased and impressed with Eriksson. Leif was asked to stay in Norway. King Olaf introduced Leif to the Christian religion, in which he became very interested. Never faithful to the Viking gods, Eriksson agreed to be baptized, and was going to return to Greenland to spread this new religion.

10: Vinland at Last!

After a few days, Leif found land once more. He discovered the wondrous land Hergelfson had spoken of! There were rich forests, deep, lush, pastures, and salmon-filled rivers. Wild-grapevines were bountiful, and helped this land be properly dubbed Vinland, or “Wineland”. Eriksson was very excited, and decided to start settling this land. He couldn’t wait to return to Greenland to share the news of Vinland!