Vikings voyage to America has been a controversial topic. We were taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 13th century. However, history of vikings movement to Greenland and Newfoundland in 11th century is also an interesting topic. Basically there were four voyages to North America which summarised as follows:
1) Bjarni Herjolfsson
Bjarni Herjolfsson's voyage to North America was not planned. He intended to spend the winter with his father, Herjulf Bardarson in Iceland. However, Herjulf departed for Greenland and Bjarni made a decision to follow his father. It was the time Bjarni sighted a low hills and well forested land. Bjarni knew it was not Greenland. Therefore he sailed north and the land he encountered was still flat and well forested. Continue sailing to the north, he finally met his father in Greenland.
2) Leif Eriksson
Leif Eriksson wanted to explore the new land. He bought Bjarni's ship, recruited some of the crews and sailed Bjarni's course in reverse. He identified three areas which are Helluland (south of Baffin Island), Markland (Labrador) and Vinland (Newfoundland). Leif spent a winter at Leifsbudir, Vinland.
3) Thorvald Eriksson
Thorvald Eriksson was Leif's brother who explored the land further. He arrived Leifsbudir and sent his men to survey the west coast of Vinland. He sailed back to North to explore a big inlet leading to west. A cape was named Kjalarnes, Keel Ness because his keel was damaged there. Here the crews met the natives and Thorvald was killed by an Indian arrow.
Thorvald Eriksson was Leif's brother who explored the land further. He arrived Leifsbudir and sent his men to survey the west coast of Vinland. He sailed back to North to explore a big inlet leading to west. A cape was named Kjalarnes, Keel Ness because his keel was damaged there. Here the crews met the natives and Thorvald was killed by an Indian arrow.
4) Thorfinn Karlsefni
Thorfinn Karlsefni attempts to colonise the new land. His men took all kinds of livestock and even took their wives along with them. They followed the same route as Leif and Thorvald and stayed at Leifsbudir. Another saying is Karlsefni settled in two areas named Straumfjord and Hóp. Karlsefni left after three winters due to hostilities between Skrᴂlings and Norsemen.
Hope this summary provides you an idea of vikings voyage to America.
Reference:
Jones, Gwyn (1968). A History of the Vikings. Oxford University.
- ISBN-13: 978-0192801340
Point in the picture indicates Vinland (Newfoundland).
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