Graenlendinga Saga

Eirik and his father Thorvald leave Nwy because of some killings (49) Genealogical opening. Eirik in turn is banished for a killing. Support bfrom Styr Thorgrimsson etc. Sentenced to Outlawry. Sails to Greenland. (50) also “he named the country Greenland…

(51) 25 SHIPS 14 LOST, 15 years before Christianity

2 Bjarni sights land to the west (51)

Again genealogical opening, bottom 51-2 the Christian poet

Eirks sons Leif, , Torvald and Torstein, his daughter Freydis.

(52) “Greenland was still a heathen ountry at this time.”

Bjarni takes a risky adventure just for the pleasure of his father’s company in winter.

(54) stays with his father

53-4: It’s interesting to note that Bjarni decides what land it is by whether or not its appearance tallies with the stories he has heard.

3. Leif explores Vinland

Bjarni sails back to Norway

(54) Talk of discovering new countries inspires Leif to raise a crew of 35. Concept of luck—Eirik’s luck turns as he rides to the ship and injures his leg (55) Heeluland (Baffin Island), 2^nd country Markland or Labrador, next an island north of Labrador, land in a place of plenty with a more even day and night than Greenland or Iceland—in other words a more temperate climate—

4. Leif goes to Greenland (57)

Tyrkir missing—a search party of 12 is sent after him, Tyrkir appears “in excellent humor”he speaks in German, no-one understands, then explains in Iceland that he has found grape vines. Leif names the place Vinland (58)(

(58) Duty to give help.Thorir and his wife Gudrid. (59) Leif is dubbed Leif the lucky

Eirik dies that winter, also Thorir.

5 Thorvald explores Vinland

Thorvald is Leif’s brother.

59) read Leif’s houses in Vinlandexplorations. More explorations (60) ship’s keel is shattered (60) they find three skin boats—they capture the men and killed 8 of them, one escapes—they are attacked by Skraelings—Thorvald is wounded—he is dying and asks for crosses put at his head and feet.”

6. Thorstein Eiriksson dies

had married Gudrid—widow of Thorir the easterner. Ready to go to VINLAND TO fetch the body of his brother Thorvald. Takes his wife. (62)also the author mentions that at this time Christianity is in its infancy in Greenland—Invitation of Thorstein the black—a pagan—breakout of disease—(63) death of Grimhild—death of Thorstein Eiriksson—his ghost speaks Gudrid’s destiny—she will prosper than end up a nun (64)—

7. Karlsefni in Vinland—(64)

Thorfinn Karlsefni marries Gudrid who urges him to sail for Vinland—60 men and 5 women (65)they all share equally in the profits—(65) the male beasts become unruly—Trade with the skraelings (milk)—(66) a palisade is built—Gudrid gives birth to Snorri—(66) Gudrid and Gudrid—vanishing—doubleness and theft—(67) battle with the Skraelings—return trip in the spring

8. Freydis in Vinland

(67) talk of the voyages to Vinland as a good source for fame and fortune.

(67) Freydis approaches the brothers Helgi and Finnbogi to join her on an expedition. They agree.(68) Freydis breaks the agreement with the brothers by taking 5 extra men aboard her ship (in secret)

(68) tension between the two groups—(69) the brothers treat Freydis generously but she lies to her husband and claims that she had been “struck “ and handled roughly. Thorvard is badgered into gathering his men and weapons.The brothers and their men are put to death—Freydis kills the women.—she threatens anyone with death who would tell the story when they return to Greenland.

9. Karlsefni’s descendants (70)

(70) leif gets wind of his sister Freydis’ crimes.—he says “ I do not have the heart , said Leif to punish my sister Freydis as she deserves. But I prophesy that her descendents will never prosper.”(71) genealogical ending—culminating in a bishop.

(72) “It wa sKarlsefni himself who told more fully than anyone else the story of all these voyages, which has been to some extent recorded here.”