Pre-Columbus Exploration of the New World

St. Brendan 5 th Century Irishman who was ordained a priest Ireland was mostly pagan Set sail to evangelize unknown terrritories Sailed in a coracle: a leather boat

The Voyage Discovered “Paradise of Birds” in Northern Scotland Discovered “Island of Sheep” Discovered an island where “ice went up to the sky” and where “natives pelted them with flaming rocks” ◦ Iceland? Saw many “sea monsters” on his voyage

The Destination Where he arrived is unknown ◦ Newfoundland? After exploring the island, he returned home to Ireland 7 year trip in all

History or Legend? Many elements of the account seem legendary ◦ Sea Monsters are one example Real world explanations for much of what he claims to have seen It seemed like a legend that a coracle would be able to make that journey ◦ Recreated in the 1970s

Eric the Red A Viking Sagas (epic stories) were told in the longhouses where they all lived ◦ He would have heard tales of explorations to Greenland Tales were told to him from Bjarni’s own explorations ◦ Bjarni had been sailing to Greenland when blown off course, discovering new lands

Thrown out to Explore Eric lived in Iceland, as his father had killed a man and been banished from his homeland In Iceland, Eric lent two carved poles to a friend ◦ His friend didn’t return them, so he went to his house and took them back ◦ His friend was mad, and sent his two sons to beat him up ◦ Eric killed the two sons, and was banished for 3 years upon pain of death

On to Greenland Eric went to Greenland Colder and more barren than Iceland ◦ Called it “Greenland” in order to make it attractive to potential settlers Greenland became a Viking colony Never explored the distant lands Bjarni had spoken about

Leif Ericsson Son of Eric Also had heard Bjarni’s stories Traveled to Norway to serve King Olaf ◦ 1000AD ◦ Olaf was first Christian Viking King ◦ Leif converted Got permission to go to Greenland with a priest to evangelize there ◦ Converted his mom, but not his dad

On to Exploration Leif decided to go and find the lands Bjarni had talked about “Flat-Stone Land” “Forest Land” Vinland ◦ Located at the top of Newfoundland?

Thorfinn Karlsefni 1 st Viking to try and settle Vinland Ran into the Skraelings ◦ Already inhabited Vinland Things peaceful at first ◦ Thorfinn tried trading with Skraelings ◦ Thorfinn had a child, Snorri, the 1 st European to be born in the New World

Things go South in Vinland Eventually, war broke out between the Vikings and the Skraelings Vikings were good fighters, but were outnumbered 3 years of war Vikings left Tried 3 other times to settle Vinland ◦ Failed all three times

Madoc The Welsh King Owain Gwynedd died in 1170 ◦ Fighting for the throne broke out amongst his sons Madoc was one of his sons ◦ Decided he was done with Wales, sailed West to find a new home Landed in the Gulf of Mexico ◦ Sailed around the rivers of the South Returned to Wales, gathered people, and sailed back to set up an establishment in the South

Welsh Americans: Fact or Fiction? Unexplained forts along rivers in the South Cherokee Indians were asked about it in the 19 th Century ◦ Said they had been built by “white people” ◦ Claimed the Cherokee had fought with the Welsh ◦ Welsh had been forced West, and eventually assimilated with the Native Americans