Eric the Red, Eirikr Thorvaldsson, explorer (flourished 985). According to the Saga of Eric the Red, he spent 3 years of outlawry exploring the coast of Greenland. In 985 AD he established 2 settlements there, the West Settlement [Vesterbygd] in the north and the East Settlement [Österbygd] in the south, where he reserved the estate Brattahild, near present-day Narssarssuaq, for himself. Although the colony grew to 3000 or more inhabitants, it gradually died out in the 15th century. Eric's son LEIF ERICSSON was likely the first European to set foot in North America.

Author BIRGITTA WALLACE


Links to Other Sites
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
The Parks Canada site for L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. Also includes information about historic Aboriginal settlements.

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