Erik The Red Essay

770 Words2 Pages

Long before the explorers such as Columbus or Mallegan accomplished their discoveries, Vikings travelled on the sea exploring. A one of a kind and ferocious Viking born in the 950A.D era was famously known for his discoveries of Greenland. Erik the Red (known for his red beard and hair) or Erik Thorvaldsson has gone through a tragic life to come to a point where he is to be remembered as the first Norwegian to settle in Greenland. His childhood was full of adventure and it has shaped his future as well as his personality to become a brave and fearless explorer.
The act of murdering two other Viking caused him to be eliminated from Iceland for three years leaving him to be homeless. In 982, after hearing about the islands discovered by Gunnbjorn …show more content…

Only 14 ships amongst the 25 ships made it to the journey's end sucessfully, while the other ships turned back or were lost at sea. Erik the Red who was ruler of the settlers in Greenland had them built two settlements where both were suitable for farming, fishing and hunting artic animals in the summer seasons. The Viking population came to approximately 3,000 inhabitant by the beginning of the year 1000 and survived for almost 500 years. The settlers suddenly experienced an unusal cold temperature and some set back to their home in Iceland and the rest disappeared. Even though it is not clearly stated, it was thought to be by the attack of the Inuit people, from starvation from the temperature alteration, European pirates, overgrazing or infected by plagues.
Formerly, Erik the red originated from Norway but then in 960A.D, his father Thorvald Asvaldsson was also exiled from Norway and had to flee to the western side of Iceland. His family then safely settles in Iceland while Erik the red builds up his own family. Erik the red was wedded to his wife, Thorhild Jorundóttir and had four children. As far as we know, Erik had a daughter named Freydis along with 3 sons, the well-known Leif Eriksson, Thorvald Eriksson and Thorstein Eriksson who are all

Open Document