Eirik the Red, Scandinavian navigator: biography. Eirik the Red, Scandinavian navigator: biography Eirik's sons in America

Erik the Red (950-1003), also known as: Eirik Rauda, ​​Eirik the Red, Eirik Thorvaldson(other Scandinavian Eiríkr rauði Þorvaldsson) - Scandinavian navigator and discoverer who founded the first settlement in Greenland. The nickname "red" was due to the color of his hair and beard. Leif's father and Ericsson, the pre-Columbian discoverers of the Americas.

Biography [ | ]

Troubles due to violent temper continued in the new place. Around 980, Eirik was sentenced to a three-year exile from Iceland for two murders. In one case, he killed a neighbor who did not want to return a borrowed boat, in another, he avenged his slaves killed by another Viking.

Executing the sentence, Eirik decided to sail west and reach the land, which in clear weather can be seen from the tops of the mountains of western Iceland. She lay at a distance of 280 km from the Icelandic coast; according to the sagas, earlier in the 900s, the Norwegian Gunbjorn sailed there. Eirik sailed west in 982 with his family, servants and cattle. Floating ice prevented him from landing; he was forced to go around the southern tip of the island and landed at a place near Julianshob (Kakortoq). During the three years of his exile, Eirik did not meet a single person on the island, although during his travels along the coast he reached Disko Island, far northwest of the southern tip of Greenland.

At the end of his exile, Eirik the Red returned to Iceland in 986 and began to convince the locals to move to new lands. He named the island Greenland (Norwegian Grønland), which literally means "Green Land". There is still controversy surrounding the appropriateness of this name. Some scientists believe that in those days the climate in these places was mild due to the medieval climatic optimum, and the coastal regions of the south-west of the island were indeed covered with dense grassy vegetation. Others believe that such a name was chosen for the "advertising" purpose - to attract more settlers to the island.

According to the sagas, Eirik the Red sailed from Iceland with 30 ships, of which only 14 with 350 settlers reached Greenland, and founded the first European settlement Eystribyggd (Eastern Settlement) on the island. The evidence of the sagas is confirmed by the results of radiocarbon analysis of archaeological finds that were found at the site of the former Brattalid (now Kassiarsuk), the residence of Eirik the Red near modern Narssarssuak, and date back to about 1000.

Although Eirik himself retired, his sons continued their research. Around the year 1000, Leif Eriksson discovered the land he named Vinland - the territory of modern North America. Eirik's other sons, Thorvald and Thorstein, also made expeditions there.

Leif Eriksson also brought a priest from Norway who baptized Greenland. Unlike his wife and sons, Eirik never converted to Christianity and remained a pagan until the end of his life, and was skeptical about Christianity.

In popular culture[ | ]

In fiction[ | ]

• Eric the Red is one of the main characters in Kirsten A. Seaver's novel The Gudrid Saga.
• Eric the Red is a character in Charles Clancy's book The Saga of Leiva the Happy, America's Discoverer.

In cinema [ | ]

Feature Film[ | ]

Documentary film[ | ]

• Secrets of antiquity. Barbarians. Part 1. Vikings.

Eirik the Red is a famous Scandinavian navigator. He is considered the person who founded the first settlement in Greenland, as well as the discoverer. He got his nickname "red" for the distinctive color of his beard and hair. His son Leif was the first to set foot on the coast of America, and he is considered its main pre-Columbian discoverer.

Scandinavian biography

It is authentically known that Eirik the Red was born in Norway. At that time, a king by name ruled, and Thorvald Asvaldson was his own father. Torvald did not restrain his emotions well, so one day he decided to kill. For this crime, he and his family were expelled from the country. The Asvaldsons had to settle in Iceland.

But even in a new place, a violent temper prevented him from getting along with others. In addition, his son Eirik the Red also adopted excessive emotionality. Around 980, he himself was already sentenced to three years of exile for two murders. First, he took the life of a neighbor who did not give back a borrowed boat, and then avenged his slaves, who were killed by another Viking.

In obedience to the verdict, Eirik decided to sail west to reach the land, which was visible in clear weather from the mountain peaks in the west of Iceland. As it turned out, she was about three hundred kilometers from the coast. Sagas have been preserved in Norwegian folklore, according to which, about a century ago, another famous Norwegian Viking, whose name was Gunbjorn, sailed there.

Eirik's Journey

Eirik Ryzhik set sail in 982. He took with him the whole family, as well as cattle and servants. At first, floating ice prevented him from landing for a long time. Therefore, he had to go around the island from the south and go ashore in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe modern Greenlandic town of Qaqortoq. It was Greenland.

The hero of our article spent three years on the island without meeting a single person during this time. Although he repeatedly made attempts to find someone. He explored almost the entire coastline, even going on his boat to Disko Island, which is located northwest of the southern tip of Greenland.

In 986, his exile from Iceland expired. He returned and began to convince the locals to move to new lands. Now you know which island Eirik the Red discovered. Moreover, he also gave it a name. Literally translated from Norwegian, Greenland means "Green Land".

The debate about how appropriate this name is has not subsided so far. Some scientists put forward hypotheses based on the fact that in the Middle Ages the climate in these places was milder. Therefore, the coastal areas located in the southwest of the island could indeed be covered with dense green grassy vegetation. Others are convinced that such a name was some kind of publicity stunt by a Scandinavian navigator. Thus, he simply tried to attract as many settlers as possible.

If you believe the sagas that can be found in Norwegian folklore, 30 ships that sailed from Iceland set off on the path for the hero of our article. The fate of most of them was not as successful as Eric Thorvaldson himself. Only 14 ships reached the shore, on which there were 350 settlers. Together with him, Eirik founded the first settlement in Greenland. It was called the Eastern Settlement.

Archaeological finds subjected to radiocarbon analysis suggest that the residence of Eirik the Red himself was located near the modern city of Narssarssuak. The discovered objects date back to around 1000.

Family of the discoverer

When Eirik himself had already retired, his sons continued his work. He infected them with a passion for exploration. As a result, it was (Eirik's son) who discovered Vinland around the year 1000. This is the area where North America is located today. Long-distance expeditions to another continent were also made by other sons of the hero of our article - Thorstein and Thorvald.

In addition, it is known that Leif Eriksson delivered a priest directly from Norway who baptized Greenland. But in the biography of Eirik the Red there is no mention of the fact that he converted to Christianity. Most likely, he remained a pagan, unlike his wife and sons. It was reported that he was extremely skeptical about the new religion of his fellow tribesmen.

Greenland

Today Greenland is the largest island in the world. The rights to it belong to Denmark, it is its autonomous unit.

It is known from the history of this island that before its discovery by the Vikings, Arctic peoples inhabited Greenland. But long before the arrival of the Norwegians, the island was finally empty. The ancestors of modern Inuit began to settle here only in the XIII century.

The Danes began to colonize it in the 18th century. Only during the Second World War did Greenland manage to separate from the Danish kingdom, drawing closer to Canada and the United States. But after the victory over fascism, the Danes again regained control of Greenland. The largest island on Earth was proclaimed an integral part of the kingdom.

In 1979, Greenland received wide autonomy. Now she even has her own football team, which plays in tournaments under the auspices of FIFA and UEFA.

Viking campaigns

In the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, Eirik the Red became one of the first who was drawn to distant unexplored places.

In which covered the IX-XI centuries, the Scandinavians actively traveled in different directions. They sailed to Ireland and to Rus'. Usually along the way they were engaged in hunting, trade and robberies. It is known that Iceland was discovered around 860, and a number of colonies were founded there. At the same time, the Vikings often sailed precisely to the West. Therefore, in modern science it is believed that they were the first of the Europeans to reach the shores of America. It was then that the first genetic contact with the indigenous inhabitants of North America took place.

First trip to America

It is believed that the Norwegian Viking Gunnbjorn was the first to reach the shores of Novaya Zemlya around the year 900. During the voyage, he lost his course, the travelers were saved only by the fact that they noticed Greenland on the horizon. This discovery inspired other of his fellow tribesmen to new expeditions and discoveries.

So Eirik the Red used the link to open new lands and expand horizons. The climate of Greenland, to which he sailed, was very harsh, but he still convinced some of his fellow tribesmen to go after him and establish a settlement in a new place almost from scratch.

Eirik's sons in America

Officially, the first of the Vikings to set foot on the American coast was Eirik's son named Leif. The land of the Valans, as Helluland was called, he visited around 1000. He also discovered Markland ("forest country"), Vinland ("wine country", presumably Newfoundland or New England). His expedition spent the whole winter there and then returned to Greenland.

His brother Thorwald founded the first Viking settlement in America in 1002. But they didn't last long there. Soon the Norwegians were attacked by local Indians, who were called Screlings. Thorvald was killed in battle, his companions returned home.

The descendants of Eirik the Red made two more attempts to colonize America. One of them involved his daughter-in-law named Gudrid. In America, she even managed to establish trade with the local Indians, but still did not stay long.

The daughter of Eirik Freydis took part in another voyage. She failed to establish contact with the Indians, the Vikings had to retreat. In total, the Norwegian settlement in Vinland lasted several decades.

Evidence of the discovery of America by the Vikings

It is interesting that the hypothesis about the discovery of America by the Vikings existed for many years, but it did not find clear evidence. Although a map of the northeast coast of America was found among the Norwegians, it was considered a fake. Only in 1960, the remains of a Norwegian settlement were discovered on the territory of Canadian Newfoundland.

Eric the Red

The wave of craft pubs that have swept through the capital has led to the fact that most of the openings of the "beer" party goes less and less. And really, what is there to see? New beer? All vendors are the same. Design? Edison light bulbs sticking out of water pipes, everyone is already tired to death. Nevertheless, the opening of the pub-restaurant "Erik Ryzhiy" on the Old Arbat caused a great stir. In my opinion, everyone who is somehow connected with beer came to the opening.

Beer restaurants have been located in this room since ancient times. Starting with "Schweik" in the 90s and ending with "Mug" recently. A little further, in the same house in Soviet times, there was a store that sold draft kvass all year round (it was a rarity) (and maybe beer, I didn’t pay attention to it then). So the place is “with traditions”.

The pub has two floors and a basement. On the first and second just a pub with snacks. There is a restaurant in the basement where waiters bring food. Music can also be played there, which by the way is not heard on the upper floors, which of course is a big plus. Some people like to play music and dance, and some people just sit and talk.

The most important thing is that on all three floors in the bars, beer is different! Keep this in mind. How many cranes - I do not know. I think about 45-50 total. Plus a bottle. Decent choice. First of all, of course, this is the assortment of One Ton and Velka Morava, the beer they brew and import. After all, it is these breweries that own the restaurant. Beer prices are average in Moscow and, of course, cheaper than on the Arbat in most establishments.

The main question is where to start, because. this beer was supposed to be the 1,000th check-in on untappd.com. Vasily Smirnov suggested - Odin's Tipple. Imperial stout from the Norwegian brewery Haand Bryggeriet.

Odin's Tipple(Norway, Drammen) - 11% alc. Vasily was right (Vasily will not advise bad things!). The most powerful and at the same time balanced thing! Strong aromas of roasted malt, chocolate and creosote. Moderate sweetness and dry aftertaste complemented again by bitter chocolate, willow bark and coffee. Definitely A+.

Then I wanted a domestic manufacturer.

Red Sonya(Russia, Zhukovsky) - 6.2% alc. Ginger IPA. Collaboration with Oleg Yedigarov. Mild but noticeable Christmas tree scent. A little bit of ginger in the taste, it burns a little. In the aftertaste, blackcurrant is superimposed on ginger. It is a berry, and not "cats pissed." Plus a mild but noticeable bitterness. Great balance of everything. With age, you begin to appreciate the balance, and not the perversion and extremeness of taste 🙂 I’ll also give it an “A +”, and let those who disagree name another, better ginger IPA 🙂

We tried One Ton, then switched to Velka Morava.

Anniversary Baltic Porter(Russia, Moscow) — 7.7% alc. And here is a bummer. Or drinking in the wrong order. It seemed quite watery for 20% density. Zhzhonka is not bad, but it is balanced by sweetness or bitterness. It seems that it is strongly fermented and there is no body left. Although the zhzhenka, I repeat, is not bad. Grade "C +", but it is necessary to try separately.

Towards the end we were treated to Urbock 23° in a new can (before it seemed to be only in bottles). It's not from the menu. Stepan Chunikin dragged.

Urbock 23°(Austria, Worchdorf) - 9.6% alc. This is what I understand doppelbock! Straight port wine or maltlikor. Aroma of dried fruits. Sweet, even sickly, but tasty. Alcohol is not felt at all. Caramel, lollipops, dried fruits and port wine in a barrel in the aftertaste. Grade "A"

Volodya "Nikshichko" with the largest Chinese shipowners

The founders of the Moscow Velka Morava brewery Sergey Novak and Vladimir Semyonov, as well as the founder of the Odna Tonna brewery Alexander Belkov, opened the Erik Ryzhiy pub-restaurant on the Arbat. Representatives of the institution told The Village about this.

The owners decided to open the pub after traveling together in Northern Europe. To launch the project, Kirill Eremeev, who has 18 years of experience in the restaurant business, was appointed manager. On his account, participation in the opening of the Pallacio Ducale restaurants by Tatyana Kurbatskaya, Arkady Novikov's projects A Club and Pavilion, as well as Fish by the restaurant syndicate of Kirill Gusev and the pilot restaurant of the T-bon network.

The brand and bar manager in the project is Stanislav Obraztsov, who is responsible for everything related to beer, its assortment, as well as advertising. Obraztsov is best known for his work at the 1516 Brewery and the Craft rePUBlic bar. The assortment of the new pub on the Arbat includes 54 varieties of draft and more than 300 bottled craft beers and ciders from Russian and foreign small breweries such as Nøgne Ø, De Molen, BrewDog, To Øl, Hornbeer, Haand, 7Fjell, Emelisse. Obraztsov notes that it is unlikely that you can find beer from these breweries in taps anywhere else in Russia at the same time. In addition, craft beers are supplied to the pub, which are produced at the breweries of the owners of Velka Morava and One Ton. Prices for draft beer - from 170 to 290 rubles, for bottled beer - from 180 to 1,500 rubles.

A young chef from Yalta, Arseniy Zinchenko, is responsible for the kitchen at Erik Ryzhy. From appetizers and salads, the menu includes Norwegian herring of own salting (300 rubles), chicken wings (380 rubles), salad with grilled mackerel fillet, mini potatoes and fresh radishes (420 rubles). Soups are also offered here: Norwegian fish soup from sockeye salmon, pike perch and trout with cream and shrimp bisque sauce (290 rubles) and goulash soup with beef (290 rubles). For hot dishes, you can order grilled mackerel with mini potatoes and baked cherry tomatoes (420 rubles), Wiener schnitzel (400 rubles) or beef rib with crispy eggplant in soy-honey sauce (550 rubles). For dessert - homemade cheese cake (250 rubles) and apple roll (250 rubles).

Eric the Red has three floors. Each of them has its own range of draft beer and cider. Visitors who appreciate "intimacy and quiet rest" are offered to stay on the minus ground floor under brick arched vaults of the 19th century. For those who appreciate the atmosphere of a pub more, there are places on the first and second floors.