The Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen: Illustrated by Translations from Icelandic SagasDeCosta, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
History
The Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen: Illustrated by Translations from Icelandic Sagas
DeCosta, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
America -- Discovery and exploration -- Norse
fitted out a ship in Ericsfiord, but Eyulf concealed him in Dimonsvaag,
while Thorgest and his men sought after him on the highlands. Thorbiorn,
Eyulf and Styr followed with Eric out to sea beyond the islands. He said
that he meant to seek the land Gunnbiorn, Ulf Krage's son, saw [A. D.
876.] when he was driven by a storm west from Iceland, and found
Gunnbiorn's Rocks; though he said at the same time if he discovered the
land he would return to his friends. [A. D. 982.] Eric laid his course
to the west from Snæfieldness, and approached [Greenland] from the sea
to land at Midjokul, in that place that is called Blæsark. From thence
he went along the coast to the south, to see if the land was fit to live
in. The first year he stayed all winter in Ericksö, nearly in the middle
of the west bygd. In the next spring [A. D. 983.] he went to Ericsfiord,
and there found a dwelling. Next summer he went to the western bygd, and
gave certain names to many places. The second winter he lived in
Ericsholm, at Hvarfo Fiedspidæ, and at the third summer [A. D. 984.] he
went north to Snæfield, inside of Rafnsfiord. He thought then that the
place where Ericsfiord bent was opposite the place where he came. He
then returned and spent the third winter in Ericksö opposite the mouth
of Ericsfiord. The next summer [A. D. 985.] he went to Iceland, and
landed at Breidafiord. The next winter he stayed at Holmstater, with
Ingolf. Next spring he fought with Thorgest and lost the battle. That
summer, Eric began to settle the land which he had discovered [A. D.
986.] and which he called Greenland, because he said that the people
would not like to move there, if the land did not have a good name.
Learned men say that twenty-five ships went that summer to Greenland
from Breidafiord and Borgafjord, but only fourteen arrived. Of the rest,
some were driven back and others were wrecked. This happened fifteen
winters before Christianity was introduced into Iceland.
THIRD NARRATIVE.
The land some call Greenland, was discovered and settled from Iceland.
Eric the Red was the name of the Breidafiord man, who [A. D. 986.] went
from here [Iceland] to there, and took possession of that part of the
land, which later was called Ericsfiord. He named the land and called it
Greenland, and said it would encourage people to come there, if the land
had a good name. They found there, both east and west, ruins of houses
and pieces of boats, and begun stonework. From which it is to be seen
what kind of people have lived in Vinland, and which the Greenlanders
call Skrælings and who had been there. He [Eric] began to settle the
land fourteen or fifteen years before the introduction of Christianity
in Iceland. Afterwards this was told of Greenland to Thorkel Gelleirson,
by a man who had himself followed Eric Red.
III. THE VOYAGE OF BIARNE.
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