BACKGROUND
LEIF'S VOYAGE
IMPORTANT FACTS
BACKGROUND
Leif Erickson was a Viking born in approximately 960 AD. in Iceland.
The Vikings were Scandinavian warriors, who constantly explored new lands.
They were, mostlikely, the first European explorers of Canada, as ancient remains of Viking settlements have been discovered all over the Grand Banks, such as the old Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland.
Another way we know that the Vikings could have been the first Europeans to settle in North America is because the Vikings recorded history by telling sagas which were later written down.
LEIF'S VOYAGE
Before Leif set foot on Newfoundland, there was another Viking, Bjarni Herjulfsson.
Bjarni accidentally discovered Newfoundland as he was searching for his father, who left for Greenland.
Many years later, Leif Erikson, who showed a particular interest in Bjarni's discovery, set out looking for the mysterious land.
They came first to the land which Bjarni had sighted last.
This land was barren and useless, so Leif named it Helluland (meaning 'stone' land).
On the third day, they sighted a second land covered with forests.
Leif named this land Markland (meaning 'forest' land).
Then after two more days at sea, they finally searched Newfoundland, which they named Vinland (their promise land).
Leif Erikson later died in 1020 A.D.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Very few Vikings came to North America to establish permanent communities.
Instead, they used the Grand Banks primarely for summer fishing areas.
However, the Vikings were in conflict with the Natives, for the Vikings were always attacking and killing anyone they found.
In turn, the Native people began attacking and driving them off.
Soon, even some of the Viking settlements in Greenland were forgotten and mysteriously disappeared.
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