LEIF ERICKSON'S SAGA
-----Attribute text to: Voyage of Wave Cleaver, Inc. Frederick N. Brown -----
The early stages of Leif Erickson's saga give insight to the man
who commenced the proceedings. For an individual who lived most of his life in a
"lost colony" a surprising amount of information comes down to us through
history; even his very words, his personality, his coloring, his "modus
operandi." He was much admired and a hero in his own time; one feels somewhat more
than the dutiful obeisance of the numerous serfs, vassals and slaves that made up the bulk
of the population of the day. He was said to have been tall and powerful but fair in all
his dealings with others. A skeleton has been exhumed in Greenland which has been thought
to have been his; the possessor stood about 6 feet 2 inches tall - immense for the time
when the average Scandinavian, while still larger than his Southland kin, was considerably
smaller than today. He was master of the home "Vik of Bratalid" in Greenland for
many years after his voyage to Vinland. It is not known whether he ever returned to his
epic discovery even briefly, and yet he is seen to be most seriously possessive of the
place. He was several times importuned to sell it but every time refused to do
so although freely loaning use of it to others. He lived at least to his forty-fifth
year.
The first we hear of him was when, in his early twenties. he made
a voyage to Norway, apparently for the purpose of being presented to King Olaf Trygvarsson
who had but recently forged one of the first of sizeable Norwegian Kingdoms. Leif was in
for a rude surprise, for King Olaf was an ardent convert to Christianity and Leif was
still a follower of his father Erick's pagan beliefs. King Olaf had a set policy at this
time in that all of his followers must convert to Christianity or be executed. This rather
shocking directive in behalf of the "prince of Peace" was given to Leif as well;
he was granted a fortnight to make a decision. From what the sagas say, Leif, who
considered himself a noble warrior, and who thus demonstrated his Norwegian heritage by
this attitude (for you cannot 'crowd' a man of Scandia), took the entire allotted time to
make up his mind but eventually accepted baptism - we know not with what inner feelings -
into the Christian faith and was given the assignment to return to Greenland and convert
the entire colony there.
Earlier, on his eventful trip towards Norway, his ship lands for
an apparently extended waystop at the Faroe (var. Orkney, Skilly) Islands. There, he meets
and becomes enamored of one fair Thorgunna and at his departure she pleads with Leif to be
taken along. Leif refuses. An interchange between them is retained in the sagas as a
matter of considerable interest and reminder that human nature, after all, has not changed
very much over the centuries.
Leif: 'This cannot be (to
allow Thorgunna to accompany him) I have not the wherewithal to deal with your relatives,
and we so few in number."
Thorgunna: "I wish you to take me in any case, with their
permission or without, for it is my desire to make my life with you."
Leif: "I cannot take this risk and must leave you here."
Thorgunna: "You will find that this is not a wise decision
and it will bring regret to you."
Leif: "I will put it to the test notwithstanding for I must
leave you here."
Thorgunna: 'Then I must tell you of the Importance of the matter
for I am with child and you are responsible. Leave me if you must but I tell you I will
follow you to Greenland."
The interchange ceases here but must eventually have been amicably~8 concluded for it is said that of Leif gave Thorgunna a gold ring, a belt made of walrus tusks, and a "wadmal mantle" (evidently a cape made of some specific coarse cloth?).
While this tale takes us even further from our goal, the sagas
intimate that Thorgunna did, indeed, reach Greenland and that the issue of the two was a
boy who was named Thorgils. It was said of him that there was something about him that was
"- not quite right;" in any event he died young.
Leif's trip back to Greenland is not chronicled but events at Bratahlid that there unfolded give considerable insight as to what happened next. Recall that Leif had been given the mission to convert the settlement to Christ and evidently he applied himself y conscientiously to this task. He is immediately successful in converting his mother Thjothiid and certain others of the Vik, but his violent and combative father Erick resists mightily. Mother Thjothild enters the controversy and resorts to the age-old tactic of evicting Erick from the conjugal bed with the admonition that he will not be welcome back until he decides to convert. Far from doing so, he carries off his own cot and takes to a hut at the far end of the settlement, doubtless to brood on the injustices wrought by fate and prodigal sons. Erick is not the only one who resists with vehemence. Others - presumable most of the males - do also, Viking warriors taking great comfort in the pagan warlike gods so encouraging to loot, murder, and rapine. In brief, the settlement of Bratahlid is riven with dissension in short order. Leif lost much in popularity; in fact, it is implied that he received more than several death threats!
His solution to the problem is one which has occurred to many m duress, but Leif had the opportunity to exercise options in the purchase of the ship of Bjarni Herjolfson for a good and true Viking Voyage. The dissension with his father is evident in the use of another ship than Erick's, but on the other hand, it is also said that Erick was originally scheduled to make the trip as leader - either figurative or actual. Some of Leif's arguments to Erick give insight to the occasion for Leif flatters his patriarch in several ways, saying "- there are none so good at handling the tiller (steering handle)," "- you are seen to be lucky, and more men will follow you -," etc. Evidently the importunities of Leif were initially successful in overcoming Erick's reluctance, but on the day of departure, Erick, in riding to the moorings was thrown or fell from his horse. He takes this as an omen, declaring that it signifies his explorations are over, and he decides to stay home.
---------
<Attribute text to: Voyage of Wave Cleaver, Inc. Frederick N. Brown >
---------
DEPARTURE
Leif has successfully negotiated for purchase of the ship of Bjarni Herjolfson. They organize, make ready, and start the epic Journey with a crew clearly specified as thirty-five men. We can assume that this start was in accord with Viking custom, which was to start travel so early in the spring as possible. In those days of somewhat easier climate it could have been late in the month of April or early March.
After some time at sea they espy a rugged, mountainous and make
for it, landing for explo-rations. After a few days, Leif gives a speech and says,
"Methinks this is the land that Bjarni saw at the last of his Journey. But whereas
they did not land we have done so and explored, so the claim for it is ours. Still, now
that we have seen it I can see that It seems to be good for nothing (the land) and It is
my wish to go on to the other lands." They have caught salmon in the streams and they
describe the land as having flat stones. The stones are variously described as being a
single large flat stone, a number of large flat stones, the entire plain between the shore
and the distant mountains being strewn with large flat stones, flat stones about 12
"els" across (18 ft., or 5.5m), or flat stones of a size that two (var. three)
men head to foot could not span them. Leif names the place "Helluland", meaning
"large flat stone (or 'slab') land" and they depart, still on the
reciprocal of Bjarni's homeward trip;" the sagas mention westward tending courses
from this point."
They come on land again and make landing this time on terrain
described as hilly and well forested and so they name it "Markland", meaning
"forest land". Leif again is quoted as saying that this seems to be the second
land that Bjarni saw and they again push on in their journey.
Eventually they see the third land and Leif declares it seemingly
to be Bjarni's first landfall after his storm-tossed epic." Along the route they have
passed what they name "Wunderstrands" (also "Furdirstrands" - meaning
far along beaches) because, as it is said, it took so long to sail past them." (The
atmosphere of the saga is drear - beaches signify danger, the dreaded "lee
shore", to seamen.) In later coasting, they describe the land as being forested and
the shoreline well broken with many bays, rivers and estuaries.
They come then to an Island and land on it." They say there
Is "land" or a "mainland" to the south of it and that there is a
spring or source of water "down there in the grass"; they "- dipped their
fingers in It and tasted it and thought that they had never tasted anything so
sweet."
They leave this Island and most fortunately define their course precisely as being "- north to a fjord across that sound which lay between the Island and that cape which pointed northward", also translated simply as "- more back toward the north-pointing cape.""
---------
<Attribute text to: Voyage of Wave Cleaver, Inc. Frederick N. Brown >
---------
A river is reached and a landing attempted. Rare sources specify a turn "west around a headland to where the river flowed (var, fell, tumbled) out of a lake into the sea". The ship grounds out and the men rush over the side and wade ashore because, it is said, "- they could not wait to explore."" This river mouth is described, partly in situ and partly through references in later events:
It has a sand or "gravel" bar across the mouth.
it has white sand beaches.
it is impossible of entry except at high tide.
The forest comes to very close to the sea.
When the tide goes out "- it is a long way from the ship to
the sea (meaning a long tidal "fetch")
Additionally, we can assume that it was an attractive place to
them if they rushed ashore so enthusiastically; and a "safe" bottom as
well - doubt-less the sand bar.
While they are all off exploring, the ship refloats unattended and
some of the crew must row to it in the afterboat to recover ~
They then row the ship up the river into a lake and there they
moor for more explorations. After a very brief stay, Leif declares that he wishes to
build "houses" with intent to form a permanent camp and these are - or at least
his is - built on heights over-looking the lake. He then gives a most significant and
informative order to his crew:"- we will divide into two watches, one will stay with
the ship and the other to explore. But each party must remain together at all times,
neither must they go so far that they cannot return to the ship the same day. The watches
will alternate and I (Leif) will accompany either party as I so wish. Those at the ship
will build houses and cut timber and vines (var. 'for cargo')".
-------
<Attribute text to: Voyage of Wave Cleaver, Inc. Frederick N. Brown >
---------
POSSESSION
At this stage of the sagas several references are made concerning
the whereabouts and climatic conditions of the place. These seem to be an attempt to
define the place as clearly as possible to establish Leif's claims which, though now
scattered through several sagas, are complete enough to establish certain rights to
discovery within his culture. He has defined his courses (south with westward tendencies);
he has landed, named, and explored three major landfalls en route (Helluland, Markland,
Vinland); described pertinent features of Vinland (low and wooded, broken shore with many
bays, rivers, estuaries, and one fjord) and the all-important offshore island of military
considerations; precisely defined the course from this island to his major landing; and
described the site itself. Other items are sometimes intermixed with observations from
later travelers so I can best leave these to a separate section of clues relating
specifically to the coastline and Leifsburdir.
Two major ones, however, belong subsequently to the following
episode, which seems to be the only adventure taking place as they settled in for the
remainder of the season. The duration of the trip itself is not mentioned but must be
assumed to have been distant if the ship stayed the full year. Common sense dictates that
the prudent explorer would set appropriate plans or bend his courses homeward by about the
time of the summer equinox; certainly not much later.
"One day they went out from the house and Leif accompanied the party which went exploring. But as they were returning (var. after they had returned; as they were about to return), they miss one of the men. This was Turkur, a small and insignificant looking man who was highly skilled at crafts and military arts. He was homely of visage, with bulging brows and protruding eyes. They immediately set about as a search party but they have not traveled far when Turkur appears to them acting strangely and mumbling in his own tongue. Leif addresses him severely, "Why have you separated yourself from us and remained away so long against my orders?" For a time Turker cannot reply. He makes grimaces and talks rapidly in his southern tongue, shrugging his shoulders and blinking his eyes. After a time he seems to recover and says, "I have not gone much further than you but I have found that which you have not seen and might find difficult to believe. I have found grapes and grapevines!" Leif replies, "Can this be true, foster father? Are you sure they can be grapes?" Tyrkur responds, "Yes, it is certainly true, they are grapes and I know them for there is no lack of grapes in the land where I was born! The sagas then go on to say, rather cryptically, "- and they filled the afterboat with them (the grapes)." These few words, seldom addressed, are remarkable in themselves if you know something about grapes, wine, and small boats. (In my final analysis of the site they stormed into my consciousness for the conclusion that I must proceed with the study as best I could. The mystery of this unusual statement was resolved at the site.
---------
<Attribute text to: Voyage of Wave Cleaver, Inc. Frederick N. Brown >
---------
Two of the clues of location of Leifsburdir seem to have been made
by Leif and these two are a remarkable solar observation and a mention concerning the
climate:
It is said of Leifsburdir that "- the days were more equally
divided than in Greenland - so that, "- on the shortest day of the year the sun was
al-ready up at 'Dagmalastad' and still up at 'Eyktyarstad.'" These two times of day
seem to correspond roughly with breakfast time and dinnertime but are not now precisely
known but many analysts opine that they wer 8:00 am, precisely and between 3:00 and 4:00pm
(less exact). (Likely breakfast time and dinner time.) The factor has been finely analyzed
by others and will be addressed later; how-ever it is read, the factor does signify great
range from Greenland .
The climate is said to be such that, "- the grass hardly
withered; there was no frost so that It seemed the cattle could winter outdoors without
shelter (var. fodder)."
The epic then goes on briefly to say that the next spring, "- they made ready and sailed away" (to Greenland).
But there is one episode described on the journey home which
happens to yield many insights as to Leif's luck, his personality, his age, and certain
factors of timing and distance to Vinland, even though, almost certainly, It occurred on
the coast of Green-land Itself.
As they are sailing along, Leif himself is steering and someone
among the crew questions his courses, querying, "why do you steer so far to the
north? (var, 'off course'). Leif replies, (one can sense a certain testiness) "I have
a mind to steer my ship as I see fit but I do think I see something to steer for. I think
I see a ship." So everyone looks out and all they can see in the distance is a skerry
(reef). But they continue towards it and eventually they make out that wrecked upon the
skerry is another ship, which Leif has seen from much further off than anyone else.
Moreover, they find that there are survivors and these are taken aboard and rescued. Leif
agrees to take them to the settlement but claims salvage rights to the wreck as has been
the custom of the sea from time immemorial. The ship had been laden with timber, among
other things, but Leif already has a rich cargo of timber and "vinber" (and
wine?) from Vinland so he must leave the wreck for a later time.
At the return to Bratahild they are hailed and welcomed. Leif is
given the sobriquet of Leif 'the Lucky', because he has returned safely and with a huge
new land to claim, two fine cargoes, and, from what we can detect, resolution of his
personal problems. It may be that he married and followed that peculiar custom of Vikings
of often receiving inheritance at marriage instead of the patriarch's death. At any rate,
he seems to have settled down in Bratalid in Greenland rather than his other home In
Vinland. He became the leader, or 'Jarl' of the settlement of Bratahlid and, so far as
anyone knows, never re-turned to his far off discovery. One hopes that he spent some time
and offered some security to the unfortunate Thorgils, his son.
He appears again only once in the sagas, much later, in yet another insightful episode described which will be told in due time.