Who was Erik the Red? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Erik Thorvaldsson

Died At Age: 53

Family:

father: Thorvald Asvaldsson

children: Freydís Eiríksdóttir, Leif Erikson, Thorstein Eiriksson, Thorvald Eiriksson

Explorers Norwegian Men

Died on: 1003

place of death: Greenland

Ancestry: Norwegian Icelander

Recommended For You

1

What is Erik the Red known for?

Erik the Red is known for being a Norse explorer and the founder of the first Norse settlement in Greenland.
2

Where did Erik the Red establish his settlement in Greenland?

Erik the Red established his settlement in Greenland at a location he named Brattahlíð, which is believed to be near present-day Qassiarsuk.
3

What led Erik the Red to be exiled from Iceland?

Erik the Red was exiled from Iceland due to his involvement in a series of violent conflicts, including manslaughter, which led to him being banished from the country.
4

What famous relative was Erik the Red related to?

Erik the Red was a father to Leif Erikson, who is known for being the first European to land in North America, around the year 1000 AD.
5

How did Erik the Red contribute to the exploration of North America?

Erik the Red indirectly contributed to the exploration of North America by passing on his adventurous spirit and seafaring skills to his son, Leif Erikson, who went on to lead the Viking expedition to Vinland, believed to be part of present-day Newfoundland, Canada.

Childhood & Early Life

He was born as Eiríkr Þorvaldsson (also called Erik Thorvaldsson) in the Jæren district of Rogaland, Norway, around 950. His father’s name was Þorvald Ásvaldsson (also called Thorvald Asvaldsson).

Thorvald was exiled from Norway c. 960, during the reign of King Harald Fairhair, for having killed some people. Erik was just a young boy at the time of this incident.

The father took along the family and sailed West from Norway, finally settling in Hornstrandir in northwestern Iceland. Thorvald died some time before 980.

Continue Reading Below

Later Years

Erik grew up to be an adventurous and hot-tempered young man who gained the nickname “Erik the Red” because of his red hair, red beard, and also his red-hot temper.

He allegedly killed some people around the year 982 and was banished from Iceland for three years, just like the way his father had been exiled from Norway years ago.

While on exile he decided to embark on an expedition and explore new lands. He set off with a small group of men from Snæfellsjökull, one of the westernmost points of Iceland, around 982 and reached land on the opposite shore of what was then a little-known landmass.

His men rounded the southern tip of the island and arrived at an island at the mouth of Eriksfjord (now known as Tunulliarfik Fjord) near Qaqortoq (formerly Julianehåb). Erik spent the next two years exploring the west and north, and also assigned names to the places he visited.

He named the country “Greenland” as many parts of the land seemed ice-free and had conditions conducive to future growth and development. Over the course of his exploration he spent the first winter on the island of Eiriksey and the second winter in Eiriksholmar (close to Hvarfsgnipa). He explored as far north as Snaefell and into Hrafnsfjord during the final summer of his stay.

After completing his exile, Erik returned to Iceland in 985 or 986. He brought along with him the exciting stories of his adventures in the new land he had discovered. He described Greenland in great detail and told the people that the new land offered great scope for establishing new settlements.

Gifted with strong persuasive skills, Erik the Red was able to convince the people that Greenland held great opportunity. After gaining the support of many people he set out again with a fleet of 25 ships from Iceland.

Several of the ships turned back, or were lost or destroyed along with their occupants over the course of the hazardous journey across the sea. Only 14 ships out of the 25 are believed to have arrived safely at an area which became known as Eystribygd (“Eastern Settlement”).

Initially there were around 400-500 settlers in the colony. Erik successfully established settlements there and assumed the title of paramount chieftain of Greenland. Over the ensuing years he gained both wealth and respect.

Continue Reading Below

The colonists thrived in the new land and were soon joined by several other immigrants who travelled all the way from Iceland in order to escape over-crowding in their own homeland.

The flourishing settlement grew to around 5000 inhabitants and spread over a considerable area along Eriksfjord and neighboring fjords. However, something disastrous happened soon after which almost ruined the colony.

Another group of immigrants arrived from Iceland in 1002. But these immigrants carried a deadly disease which soon spread to the population already living in Greenland. The epidemic killed several of the leading citizens of the colony and greatly threatened its very existence. Nevertheless, the colony survived till the 15th century before being wiped out due to several causes.

Major Works

Erik the Red is remembered as the one who founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. The Icelandic sagas suggest that Norsemen before him had already discovered Greenland but their attempts to colonize the region were not successful. Thus Erik is credited to be the first permanent European settler in Greenland who was successful in establishing a settlement.

Personal Life & Legacy

Erik the Red was married to Þjóðhildr (Thjodhildr) and had four children: one daughter and three sons. His son Leif Eiríksson also became a famous explorer later on.

He died c. 1003, a victim of the epidemic that annihilated a vast majority of the settlers in Greenland.

Facts About Erik the Red

Erik the Red was known for his fiery red hair and beard, which earned him his nickname.

Despite being exiled from Iceland, Erik the Red went on to establish the first Viking settlement in Greenland, demonstrating his resilience and leadership skills.

Erik the Red had a daughter named Freydís Eiríksdóttir who was also a skilled explorer and played a significant role in Viking history.

He was a skilled navigator and is credited with discovering and naming many landmarks in Greenland.

Erik the Red's legacy lives on today through his descendants and the enduring Viking heritage in Greenland.

Erik the Red Biography

You wanted to know

What is Erik the Red known for?

Where did Erik the Red establish his settlement in Greenland?

What led Erik the Red to be exiled from Iceland?

What famous relative was Erik the Red related to?

How did Erik the Red contribute to the exploration of North America?