Vinland

Vinland was the name given to part of North America when discovered by the Viking [Leif Eriksson]?. After the explorations of the coast of Greenland, It is believed that the first landing of the Vikings was in Newfoundland, Canada. Archaeological evidence has been found of a Viking settlement at [L'Anse aux Meadows]?.

Vinland was first recorded by Adam of Bremen,a geographer and historian. In 1072 he wrote the "Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum" , a history of Hamburg and the Christian Missions in the North, starting with AD 788. This is the chief source of knowledge of the North until the 13st century. In 1068 Adam came on invitation of Archbishop [Adalbert of Bremen]? to write a detailed history . Adam of Bremen took a trip to personally interview king [Svend Estridson]?, who had knowledge of the history and geography of the northern lands.

There is textual evidence of the trip in at least two different Icelandic sources. Piecing together information from these, the settlement period seems to have been only one year or two.

The disbandment of the small Viking colony probably had several reasons. Disagreements among the men about the few women that followed on the trip and fighting with the Micmac? Indians? already living on the land (called "Skrälingar" by the Vikings) are both reasons that are indicated in the written sources.

/Talk