From Greenland to Vinland: Leif Erikson & Viking Voyages to the New World

It’s been more than a thousand years since medieval Scandinavians left their homelands in search of plunder and glory, becoming the scourge of Christian monasteries and coastal cities—raiding and trading far and wide, from Anglo-Saxon England to modern-day Russia, Constantinople, and the Islamic Emirate of Cordoba in Spain.

The Vikings traversed so much of the world, exploring and settling Iceland, Greenland, and, for the topic of this episode, North America.

Medieval Icelandic sagas claim the Vikings reached North America around the year 1000.

But what is the story of the Norse in this ‘’new world’’? What are our sources? Were there interactions with indigenous peoples? Who were the key characters? And what could have led to the demise of the Vikings in North America?

Today's guest is British historian Martyn Whittock, a historical consultant to the BBC, whose books have sold over 1 million copies. Martyn is the author of American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America.

Resources Mentioned:

Martyn's Books:

American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America: http://pegasusbooks.com/books/american-vikings-9781639365357-hardcover

Vikings in the East. From Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Putin - The Origins of a Contested Legacy in Russia and Ukraine: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/vikings-in-the-east

Tales of Valhalla: Norse Myths and Legends: http://pegasusbooks.com/books/tales-of-valhalla-9781681778464-hardcover

The Vikings. From Odin to Christ: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/the-vikings

1016 and 1066: Why the Vikings Caused the Norman Conquest: https://www.crowood.com/book/1016-and-1066

The Viking Blitzkrieg, AD 789–1098: https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/the-viking-blitzkrieg

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