As early as the first century A.D. the Roman historian Tacitus described the ancestors of the Vikings as well armed and skilled at sailing ships. Seven centuries later these warriors pillaged Europe and the British Isles and continental Europe. They were also hungry for rich land as well as plunder. The beauty of Ireland’s green fields drew them like a magnet. During their escapades in this green land, they founded towns, including Dublin.
They worshipped the War God, Odin; the whole Christian world trembled at the mention of the fierce men from the sea.
Scandinavia from when they came prospered with the rich hauls of gold, silver, clothes and livestock taken in the raids. Their exploits were celebrated in the form of sagas, stories passed down from each generation. To go Viking promised a young man glory and fame. They were celebrated with names such as Eric-Blood Axe, Thor-Sword, and Born-headhunter.
One of the sagas that has been passed down through history is the exploits of Eric, the red. Eric and his father, Thorvald, immigrated to Iceland, one of the settlements that the Vikings had established in 860. The two came from Norway reluctantly to the cold land of Iceland. The saga states that they had to leave their native Norway because of “some killings.”
The pair settled on the northwestern peninsula of Hornstradir and barely made a living fishing and hunting for seals. While there they heard stories of a remarkable discovery of a land past Iceland and out into the western sea. Eric never forgot the story.
Due to Eric’s good looks and physical prowess, he was able to marry and move into a less harsh settlement. However, he was not content to put aside his sword and axe for true love and good fortune. He became involved in a blood feud and killed a man. Although the Vikings were often brutal to their enemies, murder was not tolerated in their settlements. The fiery Eric was expelled from Haukadal, his wife’s home.
They moved to Breidjaford. They lived peacefully there for only a short time. Eric had a conflict with his neighbor’s sons, who were grown. During an altercation, Eric killed both. The fiery red head was expelled from Iceland for three years.
Eric dared not return to Norway, so he proceeded to fulfill his dream of find the mysterious land to the west. He put out to sea with 30 companions, both family and neighbors, and an assortment of farm animals. He traveled due west over 450 miles of cold choppy seas before he sighted the world’s largest island. He was very disappointed at his first sighting of the huge mass of ice, stony mountains and snow. He found it hardly fit for beasts. Not willing to accept defeat, he steered the ship further south to determine if any place on the island existed for man.
Suddenly in the distance he saw green at the tip of a crenellated cape (Cape Farewell). The travelers landed and set up a base camp at Eriksey, near the entrance of Eriksfjord. The next three years he spent hunting, fishing, and birding. In the summers he explored further into the interior of the huge island locating fjord after fjord.
After his three year exile, Eric returned with his family to Iceland. Once again the he needed more space than the crowded country afforded him. He fought with his neighbors and was expelled. He decided that he would establish a colony in the land which he discovered. He named the place, Greenland, because he thought a pleasant name would lure settlers.
The red-bearded Viking had no problem recruiting the Iceland natives, because there was a shortage of land and there had been a severe famine. In 986, 25 ships set sail for Greenland, but only 14 ships with 450 people made it to the large island. Some perished at sea and the others returned to Iceland.
They established a settlement at Brattahlid, near the head of the inlet known as Eriksfjord. Eric finally found a haven that settled his restless soul. He presided over his colony, and judged the affairs of his neighbors. He ate and drank hugely in line with his boisterous nature. He was a good husband and father, and raised three sons and a daughter. One of his sons followed in the footsteps of his father. One morning in the summer, Eric watched his son, Leif, sail away into the midsummer mist.
What a life Eric led! If you would like to take a look at the replica swords, shields and clothing of the Vikings. Please visit my website at TheCastleCourt.
