2007-01-23 12:48:07 · 6 answers · asked by andrew z 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Leif was born in Iceland in about 960 AD, son of Eric the Red. As was tradition with the Vikings, Leif did not grow up with his family. Instead, when he was eight he moved in with a man named Thyrker. Thyrker was from Germany where Eric the Red had captured him, had taken him to Iceland, but had not enslaved him. Thyrker taught Leif everything he needed to know, including reading and writing runes, the Celtic and Russian tongue, and the ways of trade. Leif was also taught the old sagas, plant studies, and the use of weapons. When Leif was not learning he and his friends would watch the ships come into the harbor; then he would listen to the tales of the sailors.
At 12, Leif was considered a man and traveled back to his father's house. Eric's house had grown since Leif had left. The herds had multiplied and there were new houses and more slaves. The spring after Leif arrived, Eric was summoned to a Thingvellir or lawmaking assembly. Eric took Leif along with him to the Thing. The next day, among the crowds, Eric met a man with whom he was feuding. They started to fight and Eric killed the other man.
Because of this, the Thing council banished Eric from Iceland for three years.
Eric, not being able to go to Norway (he had previously banished from there too) decided to investigate rumors of lands to the west. So, Eric took his wife and kids, some slaves, and ample supplies and traveled west. A few days later they landed on a new land, which he named Greenland and started to build a camp. It was on this voyage that Leif is believed to have learned how to be a good deep-sea sailor.
Esp
2007-01-24 00:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by Esp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was in a depression at the beginning of the year. My Mom had died 6 months earlier (we were very close) my house burned to the ground Jan 3 and I lost everything I own (faulty wiring) and them my car blew a head right after the warranty expired. But I had to keep it together for my son and I realized there was nothing I could do about any of these things other than pick up the pieces of my life and move forward. It has been hard, the worst thing I had gone through up until then was when my Dad passed away when I was 21. But he was sick for over a year and just kept getting worse and worse so I had time to prepare for what was going to happen. With my Mom it was sudden. I think it has made me a stronger person but it still sucks.
2016-03-18 00:37:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leif Erickson was famous for establishing the first european colony in North America, what he called Vinland which means Pastureland (VIN is the old norse word for pasture). The colony did fairly well until they made the mistake of giving the Indians Cows milk. Since the Indians were not accustomed to drinking it they were lactose intolerant (many still are) and thought that they had been poisoned becasue it made them sick. They attacked, a large battle ensued, and the colony (composed mostly of Christian settlers) turned tail and ran. THAT is his claim to fame.
2007-01-23 13:33:52 · answer #3 · answered by kveldulf_gondlir 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is said he "discovered" North America (for the Vikings anyway) He valled it Vinland and the Native Americans Skraelings (Screachers). He was the son of Eric the Red.
2007-01-23 12:55:56 · answer #4 · answered by Tirant 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was a viking who sang crappy pop music.
Become a pop idol and discover a continent.
2007-01-23 12:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by Licca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I know a friend of mine who has a kid by someone that name and he took off on them. I wonder if it is the same guy..
2007-01-23 12:56:03 · answer #6 · answered by Pooh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋