Barneblad: The legends of Leif the Lucky
Map illustration by Mattea Bertling
Brought to you by Lori Ann Reinhall
Map it: Match the places in this story with the locations on the map:
- Leif Erikson was the son of the legendary Viking Erik the Red, who left Norway for Iceland and Greenland.
- The son, Leif, was probably born in Iceland and raised in Greenland
- Later, Leif traveled back to Trondheim in Norway, where he met King Olaf.
- In Norway, Leif became a Christian. The king asked him to take his new religion to Greenland.
- On his return voyage, Leif sailed off course and landed in what is today Newfoundland in Canada. He called the new land Vinland because of the many vines growing there.
- Leif and his men left Vinland because of conflicts with the Native Americans there.
- Leif died at his home in Greenland.
Today, Leif Erikson is known as “Leif the Lucky,” as he is referred to in the sagas.
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 17, 2021, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
