Early Life
Leif Erikson was born in Norway approximately 970AD. His father was called Erik The Red and his mother was called Gudrid. It was said that when he was born he was very small. He was left alone on a mountainside surrounded by Wolves. However the wolves did not touch him and he was given the name Leif which means The lucky One.
His father, Erik the Red was a Viking Explorer. Erik was born in Norway. His original name was Erik Thorvaldson. The Vikings took their surnames from their fathers names (his father was Thorvald). He was known to have a temper and often got into fights. It was because of his temper that he was sent to Iceland with his family. He did not last long on Iceland either. He got into more trouble and was banished. He decided to sail West to a place he called Greenland. He name it Greenland even though it was far from green to encourage others to come and live there.
Erik planned to lead an expedition west from Greenland to find more land. On his way to the boat he fell from his horse. He decided this was a sign and refused to travel any further.
Leif however was determined to finish the journey his father had started.
His father, Erik the Red was a Viking Explorer. Erik was born in Norway. His original name was Erik Thorvaldson. The Vikings took their surnames from their fathers names (his father was Thorvald). He was known to have a temper and often got into fights. It was because of his temper that he was sent to Iceland with his family. He did not last long on Iceland either. He got into more trouble and was banished. He decided to sail West to a place he called Greenland. He name it Greenland even though it was far from green to encourage others to come and live there.
Erik planned to lead an expedition west from Greenland to find more land. On his way to the boat he fell from his horse. He decided this was a sign and refused to travel any further.
Leif however was determined to finish the journey his father had started.