- CHAPTER 1 -
ERIK THE RED EMBARKS ON A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
During a large family gathering at the home of Bjarne Herjólfsson’s father, Bard Herjólfsson, in Iceland; Bjarne made a surprise offer to his great-nephew, Leif Erikson, who himself was showing great promise as a sea captain. Bjarne offered Leif a leading seaman’s role on his ship, on a return trip to Bergen and Trondheim, Norway for the next supply mission. This would be a great opportunity for Leif to learn many navigational skills aboard the very ship which was so thoroughly tested as it endured being tossed and thrashed about in that wild North Atlantic storm when Bjarne first sighted an unknown land in the far west. Leif accepted the offer with a thank you to his great uncle. Leif’s half-sister Freydis was visibly feeling left without an opportunity to hone her skills at sea; when her father, Erik the Red suggested she could join his crew in his seafaring ship; giving her the opportunity to investigate and perhaps even visit the new unknown land which Bjarne reported having sighted in the far west, across the North Atlantic Sea. This would be a daring mission; but Erik trusted that Uncle Bjarne could give him suitable bearings that would enable them to make landfall and investigate the lands. 1
Freydis was immediately quite excited about her father’s suggestion. She made it quite clear that Erik the Red had just suggested a daring venture that she would not allow him to back down from. Bjarne, having overheard Erik’s proposal, had little choice other than to share with the assembled family what he felt would be the best course in order to reach the new land and the safest way to attempt the crossing. There were more ears glued to Bjarne’s detailed explanation than Bjarne might have ever anticipated. Bjarne knew then that in fact there would be a discovery mission to the land upon which he had not permitted his own crew to land upon in 985 A.D. when it was first sighted. Now it became clear that Erik and Freydis would be making a voyage of discovery, as both were mentally locked in on the seafaring adventure into the yet unknown land to the west. Erik stood like a seven-foot giant as he proclaimed that Freydis would be his leading mate for this voyage, where she would take charge of all preparations for their outward-bound trip into yet-unknown territory. Erik declared that the crew must be prepared to contact the unknown inhabitants if any. Erik would take care of manpower requirements both for sailing and any potential requirements at arms. The ship was to be equipped with one year of rations for the crew, with a full understanding that they should be equipped to winter over if necessary. Freydis acknowledged her understanding. Her thoughts of her support workers were already well into anticipating the many requirements for one year of rations for a crew of thirty to forty; hard-working and hard-eating members, all seeking their place among the Earl’s Crew. Erik was admired much like a King and each of their chosen crew would willingly follow him through any danger. Meanwhile Bjarne had all the details well in hand for his return trip to Norway, but wanted his great-nephew to take charge of his fine ship one day. Thus, they had much to discuss in Leif’s learning experience; as loading was being done by his well-trained crew. Bjarne had long been the Master Captain of his supply ship to make regular runs from between Norway and Iceland. Of course, much of this was done for the King of Norway at Nidaros; (later named Trondheim) placing much of their cargo under the scrutiny of Kings Olaf Tryggvarsson’s Court. A-N 4- C-984 AD Herjolf was a kinsman and foster-brother to Ingolf the Land-taker, who granted land to Herjolfers between Reykjaness and Vag [in Iceland]. The Herjolf’s son was Bard, the father of Herjolf the younger, who went to Greenland and got into the Ocean-whirl, when Erik settled that land. Herjolf the younger lived first at Drepstock. He was married to Thorgard, and Bjarne was their son.
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The wise old skipper, Captain Bjarne, would share with Erik, Leif and Freydis the importance of taking advantage of the ocean currents of the North Atlantic Ocean in order to make it to the shoreline of the lands he had first seen in 985 A.D. This was a most important sharing of the captain's knowledge, as only he knew it; having ridden out the storm of 985 A.D. Both Erik and Freydis listened intently to his well-meaning advice. Freydis herself was already quite capable as a ship’s captain. They would start their journey as early as possible; assuring them of some time to build houses in which they might winter over; not being able to be certain of such an outcome in the summer season. Freydis prepared as she had done in the past; carefully checking that no details were overlooked. Her crew of thirty-five members were all in support, all well trained, sharing some of their excitement for what appeared to them all as an opportunity to locate and perhaps even settle in a new, yet-unknown land; to perhaps meet with people yet unknown to the world; perhaps friendly but possibly very uncivilized and a warring type. Bjarne and Leif were present to see them off as they sailed away into the west, with instructions to sail past the first large land, already know known as Greenland. Then they would soon be setting sail into the southwest. There would be an extensive distance of sailing before they might sight land to their right. How they might approach this land, Bjarne was unable to advise them; however, they might best be led by any birds as to what might be found there. Each crew member had their own feelings in regard to the trip being planned and as confident Norse Crews were in those times, were adventurous, an important part of each of their expeditions into the unknown. Erik was to show some of this Norse adventure; too, as he turned south before reaching a land base, reasoning that when he reached the latitude at which Bjarne sighted land he could turn westward to reach it, as the North Atlantic was calm and there were no signs of a wild storm about to erupt. Freydis was aware of his decision and said nothing. Sighting a far-off outline of some distant shoreline stirred an excitement that drew the entire crew into much conversation as to what lay ahead for a possible landing. The decision would be made by King Erik himself; as he was responsible for the safety of the ship. They passed around the mosteasterly point of today’s Newfoundland; seeing no promise of an ideal landing place on this rocky shore. The ship, with Erik at the helm, continued south until seeing another land; (today's Nova Scotia); around 3