SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 Viking pin

Viking silver coins WHAT'S IN A NAME? LEIF ERIKSSON Erik the Red (also spelled Eric or Eirik) Adventure seemed to run in Erik the was born Erik Thorvaldsson. He was Red’s family. After spending some time most likely called Erik the Red because of in Norway, Erik’s son Leif decided to his red hair, although his fiery temper may explore the lands west of Greenland. have had something to do with it as well. Leif Eriksson had heard about western lands from a man named Bjarni Her- THE SAGAS jolfsson, who is thought to have spotted Most of what we North America when he was blown off know about Erik the course while sailing to Greenland. Red comes from Leif and 35 men left Greenland around two Icelandic stories the year 1000. They first landed at a written sometime This Viking led a group of flat-stone area they named Helluland in the 13th century: colonists from Iceland to (“Land of the Flat Stones”). Farther “The Saga of Erik the to the south, they came to a forested Red” and “The Saga Greenland, where he established region they called Markland (“Wood- of the Greenlanders.” two permanent settlements. land”). And farther south still, the crew spent the winter in a place they called EARLY ROOTS Vinland (“Wineland”). These were lands Viking houses were in what is now the Canadian province of Erik was born around 950. His family oblong in shape. lived in the town of Jaeren, in southern Wattle and Newfoundland and Labrador. Norway. Erik was about 10 years old daub (woven When he returned to Greenland, Leif sticks and when his father, Thorvald Asvaldsson, mud), wood, became the leader of the settlements. was banished for murder. The family fled turf, straw to northwest Iceland. and stones LIFE IN GREENLAND were all used for By 1126, as other Icelanders arrived, EXILED AGAIN building the Viking population in Greenland grew Erik married a girl named Thorild materials. to about 4,000. Life was hard, but the (Tjodhilde) and settled on a farm near Knorr Norse community managed to survive in Hawksdale (Haukadal). But trouble trade ship Greenland for about 500 years. followed and Erik became involved in It is not known exactly what caused the several quarrels and killings. In 982, the settlements in Greenland to disappear, Thing (Viking high council) sentenced but it may have been a combination Erik to a three-year exile. Viking warship of factors, such as climate During his exile, Erik explored the waters THE SHIPS change (colder winters), disease west of Iceland. He was looking for a The Vikings used two main types of ship. Both (brought by new settlers from group of islands discovered nearly a had a large, square sail (made of wool) on a Iceland) and conflicts with pirates century earlier by a fellow Icelander central mast and could be rowed when there or the Inuit people. (The last named Gunnbjörn Ulfsson (also known was no wind. The most well-known of Viking recorded voyage between Iceland as Gunnbjörn Ulf-Krakuson). Erik ships, the warship, was used in raids and IN A FAMILY WAY and Greenland occurred in 1410.) found the islands and upon exploring for ceremonies. This long, narrow boat was the mainland, he discovered a country sometimes called the “serpent of the seas” Eric and Thorild had four PROOF OF THE PAST largely locked in ice. But several regions because of the dragons and snake heads children: a daughter, Freydis, During the 1960s, archaeologists along the coast were ice-free, with fertile carved on the prow. and three sons, Leif Eriksson (a uncovered several stone and turf and green valleys similar to those in When traveling long distances, the Vikings future explorer), Thorvald and buildings from the early colonies of Iceland. He decided to spend his exile used a knorr. This trade ship had a deeper Thorstein. Greenland. They are thought to include there. hull and wider beam, better suited to heavy Erik’s wife built the first Christian Erik’s house at Brattahlid and Thjodhild’s loads. This is the type of vessel Erik the Red church in Greenland, but Erik church, about 600 feet (183 miles) away. A NEW LAND would have used to transport his settlers to himself did not convert to Evidence confirming that the Vikings Although this little-known country was Christianity. reached the eastern coast of North mostly covered in ice, Erik named it ON THE MAP Erik the Red died in the winter of America has been uncovered at L’Anse Greenland (a ploy to encourage aux Meadows on the northern tip of the settlers). With the promise of a island of Newfoundland. Baffin Greenland Iceland future bright with growth Island and riches, Erik Norway MAKE IT YOURSELF persuaded Here’s how to make a Viking helmet out several Eastern of papier-mâché. Settlement families to Atlantic Viking Western Ocean Supplies needed: flour, water, mixing Settlement join him in axe head bowl, newspaper, balloon, scissors, establishing a Labrador decorations. settlement in Greenland. 1. Mix flour and water Newfoundland THE SETTLERS to make paste. Erik sailed from Iceland with 25 ships, 2. Dip strips of 850 950 960 970 980 990 1000 but only 14 of the vessels completed newspaper into the journey. (Some turned back, others c. 874 c. 960s c. 986 c. 1000 paste. Mold three The Norse Erik the Red’s father is Erik the Red is banished from Vikings reach layers or more were lost at sea.) In 986, he arrived in arrive in Iceland. banished from Norway. Iceland; colonizes Greenland. Newfoundland. Greenland with about 450 settlers. of papier-mâché around half an They built two settlements, the Eastern ANCIENT ALPHABET inflated balloon. Settlement on the southwest coast and The Viking alphabet consisted of letters called runes. Runes were made of straight the Western Settlement about 300 miles 3. Allow papier- lines that could easily be carved into wood or stone. Invented around 2,000 years (480 km) north. mâché to dry and ago, this alphabet is traditionally associated with magic and mystery. Try writing then carefully pop Erik lived in the Eastern Settlement at your own message using the Runic alphabet below. the balloon. Brattahlid, where he established himself 4. Trim edges of as the chieftain of both communities. the shell. The settlers farmed the land; raised cattle, 5. Paint and glue hogs and sheep; and hunted bears, decorations on. SOURCES:caribou, Worldwalruses Book Encyclopedia and other, World animals. Book Inc.; www.enchantedlearning.com; www.greenland.com AB CD E FG H I K L MNO P QR S TWX Y Z

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