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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The aim of the present work is to place within the reach of the English reading historical student every portion of the Icelandic Sagas essentially relating to the Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen. These Sagas are left, in the main, to tell their own story; though, with the necessary introductions, notes have been added, either to remove misconceptions, to give information in regard to persons and places, or to show the identity of localities described. So long ago as the year
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HISTORIC FANCIES.
HISTORIC FANCIES.
Before the plains of Europe, or even the peaks of Choumalarie, rose above the primeval seas, the Continent of America emerged from the watery waste that encircled the whole globe, and became the scene of animate life. The so-called New World is in reality the Old, and bears abundant proofs of hoary age. But at what period it became the abode of man we are unable even to conjecture. Down to the close of the tenth century of the Christian era it had no written history. Traces of a rude civilizatio
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THE SEA OF DARKNESS.
THE SEA OF DARKNESS.
In early times the Atlantic ocean, like all things without known bounds, was viewed by man with mixed feelings of fear and awe. It was called the Sea of Darkness. Yet, nevertheless, there were those who professed to have some knowledge of its extent, and of what lay beyond. The earliest reference to this sea is that by Theopompus, in the fourth century before the Christian era, given in a fragment of Ælian, [2] where a vast island is described, lying far in the west, and peopled by strange races
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THE PHENICIANS.
THE PHENICIANS.
In the ninth century before the Christian Era, the Phenicians had established colonies on the western coast of Africa; and three hundred years later, according to Herodotus, Pharaoh Necho, son of Psammiticus, sent an expedition, manned by Phenician sailors, around the entire coast of Africa. Vivien de St. Martin fixes the date of this expedition at 570 before Christ. St. Martin, in his account of the voyage, improves slightly upon the views of Carl Müller, and is followed by Bougainville. [6] Th
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JUBA'S EXPEDITION.
JUBA'S EXPEDITION.
When King Juba II returned to Mauritania, he sent an expedition to the Fortunate Isles. A fragment of the narratives of this expedition still survives in the works of Pliny. They are described as lying southwest, six hundred and twenty-five miles from Purpurariæ. To reach them from this place, they first sailed two hundred and fifty miles westward and then three hundred and seventy-five miles eastward. Pliny says: "The first is called Ombrios, and contains no traces of buildings. There is in it
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TRADITIONS.
TRADITIONS.
There was even a tradition that America was visited by St. Columba, [13] and also by the Apostle St. Thomas, [14] who penetrated even as far as Peru. This opinion is founded on the resemblance existing between certain rites and doctrines which seem to have been held in common by Christians and the early inhabitants of Mexico. The first Spanish missionaries were surprised to find the Mexicans bowing in adoration before the figure of the cross, and inferred that these people were of a Christian or
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THE NORTHMEN.
THE NORTHMEN.
The first voyage to America, of which we have any account, was performed by Northmen. But who were the Northmen? The Northmen were the descendants of a race that in early times migrated from Asia and traveled towards the north, finally settling in what is now the kingdom of Denmark. From thence they overran Norway and Sweden, and afterwards colonized Iceland and Greenland. Their language was the old Danish ( Dönsk túnga ) once spoken all over the north, [20] but which is now preserved in Iceland
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THE COLONIZATION OF ICELAND.
THE COLONIZATION OF ICELAND.
In the cold north sea, a little below the arctic circle, lay a great island. As early as the year 860, it had been made known to the Northmen by a Dane of Swedish descent named Gardar, who called it Gardar's island, and four years later by the pirate Nadodd, who sailed thither in 864 and called it Snowland. Presenting in the main the form of an irregular elipse, this island occupies an area of about one hundred and thirty-seven square miles, affording the dull diversity of valleys without verdur
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THE SETTLEMENT OF GREENLAND.
THE SETTLEMENT OF GREENLAND.
But as time passed on, the people of Iceland felt a new impulse for colonization in strange lands, and the tide of emigration began to tend towards Greenland in the west. This was chiefly inaugurated by a man named Eric the Red, born in Norway in the year 935. On account of manslaughter, he was obliged to flee from Jardar and take up his abode in Iceland. The date of removal to Iceland is not given, though it is said that at the time the island was very generally inhabited. Here, however, he cou
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THE PROGRESS OF THE GREENLAND COLONIES.
THE PROGRESS OF THE GREENLAND COLONIES.
There is but little continuity in the history of the Icelandic occupation of Greenland. We have already seen that the second voyage of Eric the Red took place in the year 985. Colonists appear to have followed him in considerable numbers, and the best portions of the land were soon appropriated by the principal men, who gave the chief bays and capes names that indicated the occupants, following the example of Eric, who dwelt in Brattahlid, in Ericsfiord. In the year 999, Leif, son of Eric, saile
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THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
In process of time the Christians in Greenland multiplied to such an extent, both by conversions and by the immigration from Iceland, that it was found necessary, in the beginning of the twelfth century to take some measures for the better government of the church, especially as they could not hope much for regular visits from the bishops of Iceland. They therefore resolved to make an effort to secure a bishop of their own. Eric Gnupson, of Iceland, was selected for the office, and proceeded to
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MONUMENTS AND RUINS.
MONUMENTS AND RUINS.
Their villages and farms were numerous. Together they probably numbered several hundred, the ruins now left being both abundant and extensive. Near Igaliko, which is supposed to be the same as the ancient Einarsfiord, are the ruins of a church, probably the cathedral of Gardar. It is called the Kakortok church. It was of simple but massive architecture, and the material was taken from the neighboring cliffs. The stone is rough hewn, and but few signs of mortar are visible. It is fifty-one feet l
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EXPLORATIONS IN GREENLAND.
EXPLORATIONS IN GREENLAND.
Much was done, it appears, in the way of exploring the extreme northern portions of the country known as Nordrsetur . In the year 1266, a voyage was made under the auspices of some of the priests, and the adventurers penetrated north of Lancaster sound, reaching about the same latitude that was attained by Parry in 1827. This expedition was of sufficient importance to justify some notice of it here. The account is found in Antiquitates Americanæ (p. 269), and it sets out with the statement that
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THE DECLINE OF GREENLAND.
THE DECLINE OF GREENLAND.
Of the reality and importance of the Greenland colony there exists no doubt, notwithstanding the records are so meagre and fragmentary. [40] It maintained its connection with the mother countries for a period of no less than four hundred years; yet it finally disappeared and was almost forgotten. The causes which led to the suspension of communication were doubtless various, though it is difficult to account for the utter extinction of the colony, which does not appear ever to have been in much
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LOST GREENLAND FOUND.
LOST GREENLAND FOUND.
But, whatever may be the value of the preceding extract, it is clear that Greenland was never wholly forgotten. The first person who proposed to reopen communication was Eric Walkendorf, Archbishop of Drontheim, who familiarized himself with the subject, and made every preparation necessary in order to reestablish the colony; but, having fallen under the displeasure of King Christian II, he left the country and went to Rome, where he died in the year 1521. Thus his plans came to nothing. [45] Ch
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THE CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NORTHMEN.
THE CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NORTHMEN.
Let us now return to the consideration of the Icelandic voyages to the American Continent, though not without first seeking a better acquaintance with the men by whom they were performed. We have already seen that the Northmen were a people of no inferior attainments. Indeed, they constituted the most enterprising portion of the race, and, on general principles, we should therefore view them as fitted even above all the men of their time for the important work of exploration beyond the seas. The
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THE SHIPS OF THE NORTHMEN.
THE SHIPS OF THE NORTHMEN.
The Northmen were excellent navigators. They were, moreover, it has been claimed, the first to learn the art of sailing on the wind. They had good sea-going vessels, [Pg xxxviii] some of which were of large size. We have an account in the Saga of Olaf Tryggvesson of one that in some respects was remarkable. It is said that "the winter after King Olaf Tryggvesson came from Halogeland. He had a great ship built at Ledehammer, [52] which was larger than any ship in the country, and of which the bea
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THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
We find that the Northmen were well acquainted with other parts of the world, and that they possessed all the means of reaching the continent in the west. We come, therefore, to the question: Did the Northmen actually discover and explore the coast of the country now known as America? No one can say that the idea wears any appearance of improbability ; for there is certainly nothing wonderful in the exploit. And after conceding the fact that the colonies of the Northmen existed in Greenland for
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THE LITERATURE OF ICELAND.
THE LITERATURE OF ICELAND.
Before speaking particularly of the substance of the Sagas it will be necessary to trace briefly the origin and history of Icelandic literature in general. We have already mentioned the fact that Iceland was mainly settled by Norwegians of superior qualities. And this superiority was always maintained, though it was somewhat slow in manifesting itself in the form of literature. Prior to the year 1000, the Runic alphabet had existed in Iceland, but it was generally used for the simplest pur poses
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THE NARRATIVES.
THE NARRATIVES.
It now remains to give the reader some general account of the contents of the narratives which relate more or less to the discovery of the Western continent. In doing this, the order followed will be that which is indicated by the table of contents at the beginning of the volume. The first extracts given are very brief. They are taken from the Landanama Book , and relate to the report in general circulation, which indicated one Gunnbiorn as the discoverer of Greenland, an event which has been fi
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THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE NARRATIVES.
THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE NARRATIVES.
The reader will occasionally find in these narratives instances of a marvelous and supernatural character, but there is nothing at all mythological, as persons ignorant of their nature have supposed. Besides there are multitudes of narratives of a later date, to be found in all languages, which contain as many statements of a marvelous nature as these Sagas, which are nevertheless believed to contain a substantial and reliable ground-work of truth. All early histories abound in the supernatural,
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THE ABSENCE OF MONUMENTS AND REMAINS.
THE ABSENCE OF MONUMENTS AND REMAINS.
That the Northmen left no monuments or architectural remains in New England is true, notwithstanding Professor Rafn supposed that he found in the celebrated Dighton rock [66] and the stone mill at Newport, indubitable evidences of the Icelandic occupation. Any serious efforts to identify the Dighton inscription and the Newport Mill with the age of the Northmen can only serve to injure a good cause. If Professor Rafn could have seen these memorials himself, he would doubtless have been among the
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I. FRAGMENTS FROM LANDNAMA-BOK.
I. FRAGMENTS FROM LANDNAMA-BOK.
The following extracts from the Landnama , [70] give us the earliest information on record, in regard to the westward movements of the Icelanders. The men referred to were well known, and the mention of their names and exploits in this great work, than which no higher authority could be produced, is gratifying. These extracts, which are given in the order in which they stand in vol. I. of Grönland's Historiske Mindesmærker , the greater portion of which work is the labor of Finn Magnusen, have p
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II. THE COLONIZATION OF GREENLAND.
II. THE COLONIZATION OF GREENLAND.
The first document relating to the settlement of Greenland by the Northmen, is taken from the Saga of Eric the Red, as given in Professor Rafn's Antiquitates Americanæ . Besides the history of Eric and his sons, that Saga contains notices of other voyages. The following are simply extracts. The whole Saga does not necessarily apply to the subject under examination—the Discovery of America. The second extract, which gives more of the particulars, is from Grönland's Historiske Mindesmærker , vol.
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III. THE VOYAGE OF BIARNE.
III. THE VOYAGE OF BIARNE.
The voyage of Biarne to Greenland was attended by many hardships. His vessel was blown away from the course during a storm, at which time he saw the shores of the American continent, yet he made no attempt to land. Of this voyage we have two versions. The first is a translation of a passage from Codex Flatöiensis , given in Antiquitates Americaæ , p. 17. The second is taken from Grönland's Historiske Mindesmærker . The date of this voyage is fixed by the fact that Biarne sailed the same season t
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IV. LEIF'S VOYAGE TO VINLAND.
IV. LEIF'S VOYAGE TO VINLAND.
This voyage is recorded in the Flatö Manuscript , and is given in Antiquitates Americanæ , pp. 26-40. It contains the account of the voyage of Leif, son of Eric the Red, who, following out the hints of Biarne, sailed to discover the new land, which he called Vinland, on account of the quantity of vines that he found growing wild. Several extracts are appended, because of interest in connection with the subject. [A. D. 984.] It is next to be told that Biarne Heriulfson came over from Greenland to
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V. THORVALD ERICSON'S EXPEDITION.
V. THORVALD ERICSON'S EXPEDITION.
The greater portion of this voyage appears to have been performed during two summers, the expedition finally returning to Greenland on account of the death of their leader. The narrative is taken from Codex Flatöiensis , as given in Antiquitates Americanæ . Now Thorvald [A. D. 1002.] made ready for his voyage with thirty men, after consulting his brother Leif. They rigged their ship, and put to sea. Nothing is related of this expedition until they came to Vinland, to the booths put up by Leif, w
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VI. THORSTEIN ERICSON'S ATTEMPT TO FIND VINLAND.
VI. THORSTEIN ERICSON'S ATTEMPT TO FIND VINLAND.
This version is from Codex Flatöiensis , and is given in Antiquitates Americanæ , pp. 47-55. The expedition was wholly unsuccessful, and the leader finally died without reaching the desired land. One cannot help feeling, notwithstanding the marvellous events recorded, that the basis of this account, is formed of solid fact. The main narrative is not one likely to have been invented by an impostor. In the meantime it had happened in Greenland, that Thorstein of Ericsfiord had married, and taken t
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VII. THORFINN KARLSEFNE'S EXPEDITION TO VINLAND.
VII. THORFINN KARLSEFNE'S EXPEDITION TO VINLAND.
This was in many respects the most important expedition to New England, both as regards the numbers engaged, and the information and experience derived. We have three different accounts of this expedition. The first is from the somewhat lengthy Saga of Thorfinn Karlsefne, from the Arnæ-Magnæan Collection ; the second is from the Saga of Eric the Red, being called "The Account of Thorfinn:" while the third is a briefer relation from Codex Flatöiensis . The two first may be found in Rafn's Antiqui
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VIII. THE VOYAGE OF FREYDIS, HELGE AND FINBOGE.
VIII. THE VOYAGE OF FREYDIS, HELGE AND FINBOGE.
This narrative is found in Antiquitates Americanæ , p. 65. It shows that history, among the Icelanders, was not made subservient to family interests. At the conclusion we have a (supplementary) notice of Thorfinn and Gudrid, after their return to Iceland. Now the conversation began again to turn upon a Vinland voyage, as the expedition was both gainful and honorable. The same summer [A. D. 1010.] that Karlsefne returned from Vinland, a ship arrived in Greenland from Norway. Two brothers commande
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I. ARE MARSON IN HVITRAMANNA-LAND.
I. ARE MARSON IN HVITRAMANNA-LAND.
This narrative is from the Landnama-bok , No. 107. Folio; collated with Hauksbok, Melabok and other manuscripts, in the Arnæ-Magnæan Collection. It has frequently been observed that the Landnama-bok is of the highest authority; yet we must remember that it only proves the fact, that Rafn, the Limerick merchant, conveyed the narrative to Iceland from Ireland, where the circumstances were well known. The Landnama-bok , while it gives a tacit approval of the statements of the narrative, does not en
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II. BIÖRN ASBRANDSON.
II. BIÖRN ASBRANDSON.
This narrative is taken from Eyrbyggia Saga, which contains the early history of that part of Iceland lying around Snæfells, on the west coast. The Saga is not of a later date than the thirteenth century. It is given here, not because it applies largely to the question under consideration, the pre-Columbian discovery of America, but rather because it will make the reader fully acquainted with the hero, who afterwards appears. Bork the Fat, and Thordis, daughter of Sur, had a daughter named Thuri
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III. GUDLEIF GUDLAUGSON.
III. GUDLEIF GUDLAUGSON.
This narrative, which shows what became of Biörn Asbrandson, whose adventures are partially related in the previous sketch, is from the Eyrbyggia Saga. Notwithstanding the somewhat romantic character of these two narratives, there can be no doubt but that they are true histories. Yet that they relate to events in America, is not altogether so certain. There was a man named Gudleif, the son of Gudlaug the Rich, of Straumfiord and brother of Thorfinn, from whom the Sturlingers are descended. Gudle
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IV. ALLUSIONS TO VOYAGES FOUND IN ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS.
IV. ALLUSIONS TO VOYAGES FOUND IN ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS.
Professor Rafn, in Antiquitates Americanæ , gives brief notices of numerous Icelandic voyages to America, and other lands at the west, of which there is now no record. The works in which they are found are of the highest respectability. It is only necessary here to give the facts, which have been collected with much care. They show that the pre-Columbian discovery of America has tinged nearly the whole body of Icelandic history, in which the subject is referred to, not as a matter of doubt, but
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V. GEOGRAPHICAL FRAGMENTS.
V. GEOGRAPHICAL FRAGMENTS.
The first of these documents is from a work which professes to give a description of the earth in the middle age. From this it appears that the Icelanders had a correct idea of the location of Vinland in New England, though they did not comprehend the fact that they had discovered a new Continent. The document may be found in Antiquitates Americanæ , p. 283. In the appendix of that work may be seen a fac simile of the original manuscript. The second document is from ( Antiquitates Americanæ , p.
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