Name
Class
Date
Biography
The Early Middle Ages
Leif Ericsson
c. 980–1025
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Leif Ericsson is
believed to be the first European to land in
North America.
As you read the biography below, think about
the courage Leif Ericsson must have had to set off
to explore the unknown.
Leif Ericsson was a Viking explorer. His father was
Eric the Red, who established the first colony in
Greenland. Leif Ericsson was born in Iceland but
raised in Greenland. As a young man Ericsson
visited Norway. There he met the Norse king
who converted him to Christianity. The king
commissioned Ericsson to return to Greenland
and convert the pagan colonists to Christianity.
Sometime around 1000, Ericsson left Norway and
landed somewhere in North America. Ericsson is
generally believed to be the first European to reach
North America, although the details about this
voyage are unknown. Most of what we know about
Ericsson has been handed down from the Icelandic
sagas, or long stories. These sagas were written more
than 200 years after Ericsson’s time.
Two different sagas tell two different stories
about how Ericsson reached North America. One
story tells that on his way back to Greenland from
Norway, Ericsson lost his way and ended up in
North America. The most popular story states that
Ericsson was told about a new land that a Viking sea
captain had seen from his ship about 14 years earlier.
Curious about the tale, Ericsson put together a crew
of 35 sailors and set out to find this new land.
The Granger Collection, New York
VOCABULARY
commissioned
appointed
or hired
pagan believing in nonChristian god or gods
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11
The Early Middle Ages
Name
Class
Date
Leif Ericsson, continued
Biography
No matter which version is correct, it is certain
that Ericsson was part of an early Viking voyage to
North America. Whether he actually led the voyage
is unclear. Exactly where he landed is also unclear
since no maps were made. Some think Ericsson
landed in Newfoundland. Others believe that he
sailed farther south and landed around Cape Cod,
Massachusetts.
The sagas say that when Ericsson landed, his
crew made wine from grapes that were growing
there. For this reason, Ericsson named the place
“Vinland,” which means Wineland. Since there were
few trees in Greenland, Erikson and his crew cut
down logs to take back to Greenland. On the way
home, Ericsson saved 15 shipwreck survivors and
received their cargo as a reward. This cargo and the
logs made Ericsson a rich man. After his father died,
Ericsson became governor of Greenland.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Identify What name did Leif Ericsson give to his landing site in North America?
2. Summarize Why did Ericsson give this name to the place where he landed?
3. Make Judgments Which version about Ericsson’s journey to North America do
you think is true? Explain your answer.
ACTIVITY
Imagine that you are a Viking making a voyage into the unknown.
You keep the ship’s log, which is a daily record of events. Write out the
things you that might record in your ship’s log.
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12
5623_MSH_Biography_Ch17.indd 12
The Early Middle Ages
6/28/05 3:29:32 PM
Answer Key
Biography Leif Ericsson
Later biographers of Charlemagne would
depend on this biography because it was
written by someone who was present
when the events occurred.
3. Students will answer in various ways,
but they should recognize that while
Charlemagne would have wanted to be
seen as generous and appealing to the
people, he may also have distrusted their
superstitions and beliefs.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Ericsson named his landing site Vinland
(Wineland).
2. There were grapes where Ericsson landed.
His men made wine from the grapes so
he named the place Vinland, which means
Wineland.
3. Accept reasonable answers.
Literature
Primary Source
Feudal Capitularies
CALL-OUT BOXES
1. silvery metal, gleaming
2. My people have said, the wisest, most
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Capitulary Concerning Freemen and
Vassals, 816
1. The vassal could leave if he proved the
knowing and best of them, that my duty
was to go to the Danes’
3. drove five giants into chains, hunted
monsters out of the ocean
lord guilty of forcing the vassal to be a
servant; threatening the vassal’s life;
committing adultery with the vassal’s wife;
attacking the vassal with a drawn sword;
or failing to come to the vassal’s aid when
the lord is able to do so.
ANALYZING LITERATURE
1. epic poem: subject—brave warrior,
Beowulf; length—long and detailed;
Japanese haiku: subject—nature, animals;
length—very short, three lines.
2. It told exciting stories about heroes and
their adventures.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Capitulary of Mersen, 847
1. They must defend their lord’s kingdom
against invaders.
Primary Source The End
of Charlemagne’s Life
2. Answers will vary but should reflect an
understanding that fair treatment will
inspire loyalty and ensure the vassals have
no reason to be unfaithful to their lords.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. The belief system of the Catholic
Church is contrasted with a belief in
omens from pagan times. The selection
includes references to Holy Communion,
Charlemagne’s burial in a church, and
God’s approval of Charlemagne’s choice
of an heir. There are a variety of omens,
including an eclipse, a ball of fire from the
heavens, and a mysterious fire.
2. Astronomers would be interested in
the account because it gives detailed
information about astronomical
phenomena that they could use in
understanding the sky and the universe.
Cultural anthropologists would be
interested in it because of the details
concerning the people’s superstitions.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Fulbert of Chartres, Mutual Duties of
Vassals and Lords, 1020
1. The lord must treat the vassal as well as
the vassal treats the lord. Examples from
the text may include refraining from
causing injury, from frustrating his efforts,
from threatening his honor or security,
and from injustice.
2. He means that to be deserving of his
property, the vassal must not merely
refrain from committing misdeeds, but
also actively help his lord.
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36
The Early Middle Ages