The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1971, Side 32

3D
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Eirik spoke glowingly to his country-
men about Greenland, a land that
bore the greatest ice-cap in the world,
outside of the two polar regions. So
successful was his promotion, that 25
ships sailed with him, in 985 or 986
A.D. If any proof is needed to establish
Eirik’s leadership ability or to demon-
strate the faith people had in him, be-
tween 600 and 700 people dared ven-
ture into the little-explored Arctic,
to form a colony. Each ship was load-
ed to capacity with people, sheep and
provisions necessary to start a settle-
ment in a strange land.
The 180 miles of open sea between
Iceland and Greenland can be ex-
tremely difficult to navigate. Eirik
had some knowledge of dangers from
his previous voyage, but kept this to
himself. So violently did the elements
combine their furious evil forces
against the would-be colonists that
only 14 ships reached Greenland
while 11 returned to Iceland or were
lost.
They sailed past Cape Farewell,
turned north and landed in Eiriks-
fjord. Eirik built a large house and
four barns, holding 40 head of cattle.
He called it Brattahlid (Steep Moun-
tain Slope)—modern Kagssiarssuik. He
guided his settlers to choose their own
locations for their homes in many
fjords. Two settlements, called Eastern
and Western Settlements, were situated
on the west coast. It was appropriate
that Eirik was located centrally as the
undisputed leader.
At first, the colony prospered. There
was enough grass for animal husban-
dry, fish were in abundance in the
rivers and fjords, and large game such
as reindeer, seals, walrus, whales and
polar bears were plentiful. But the
settlers were dependent upon foreign
trade for many |necessities such as
corn and timber. They exported skins,
furs, walrus hides and ivory. Timber
WINTER 1971
was scarce in Greenland. They built
houses after the manner of houses
built in Iceland—of stone, turf and
drift-wood. The need for lumber
strongly motivated Leif Eiriksson to
sail in search of a new country. After
his discovery of Vinland several voy-
ages were made to secure timber.
Several of the Sagas mention this.
Brattahlid was the true center.
Every ship and important person who
visited Greenland called on Eirik the
Red. Here the first Christian Church
in the Western Hemisphere was built.
From here Leif Eiriksson sailed to
discover Vinland about 1001 A.D.
Also from here Thorvald, the brother
of Leif, sailed to Vinland and oc-
cupied the houses that Leif had built.
From here, Freydis, illegitimate
daughter of Eirik, accompanied her
husband to the New World. From
here, the most significant voyage to
Vinland was made by Thorfinn Karls-
efni and his wife Gudrid. They re-
mained in Vinland three years and at-
tempted to start a settlement. Gudrid
gave birth to a son Snorri, the first
white child born in America.
In Greenland the best side of Eirik
was evident. He was now purged of
violence and bloodshed, a benevolent,
respected leader of men. He dealt fair-
ly with all: he was hospitable and gen-
erous, according to his means.
As Christmas drew near one year,
Eirik seemed less cheerful than usual.
Thorfinn Karlsefni (a rich Icelandic
merchant) asked him, “What is wrong,
Eirik? You are in lower spirits than
vou have been.” Eirik answered, in a
low voice, “I fear it will be said that
you never endured so scanty a Christ-
mas as the one you spent in Green-
land with Eirik the Red.” Thorfinn
replied, “You have treated us with
great hospitality and it is our duty to
return your kindness as best we can
There is malt and flour in my ship.