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Leif Ericson
Viking Dude
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The Norse mariner and adventurer Leif Ericson was the first Norseman to seek out the coast of North America. He introduced Christianity into Greenland. Leif Ericson was born in Iceland, the son of Eric the Red. He set sail in 995 and reached Newfoundland, where his thirsty crewmen drank dew from the grass. Here, in what probably was Leif's Vinland, the men decided to winter, noticing that the days were more equitable in length than at home. In addition to building lodgings, the men cut timber and hunted. Their tasks were eased by the fact that there were no natives in the vicinity. Blocked from further ambitions by a father who did not intend to lose political influence to his son, Leif in 997 sailed for Norway, hoping to curry favor with the king. En route he visited the Hebrides and left behind a pregnant mistress, Thorgunna, who subsequently followed him with his son. He spent the winter of 997 in Norway, where, to increase his power and prestige as a buttress to his wealth, he became one of the king's liege men and a Christian. The next year Leif returned home bringing priests and the new faith with him.uildi
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