Background
Erik the Red was born in Jaeren, Southern Norway in 950 BCE. Erik the Red's real name was Erik Thorvaldsson, but he was called Erik the Red because of his fiery red hair. Erik married Thorhild the daughter of Jorund Atlisson. Erik had three sons Thorvald, Thorstein and Leif. He also had a daughter Freydis. Leif became an explorer like his father. When Erik was a child he would not have gone to school, instead he would have been taught skills by adults such as rowing, fighting and sailing.
Erik died sometime between 1003 and 1004 BCE. When Erik 's horse stumbled and injured its leg, he thought this was a bad omen so he decided to stay in Greenland, rather than travel with Leif. He died soon after this incident.
He traveled to Iceland as a young boy after his father Thorvald was exiled from Norway for killing some men in a fight. When Erik's father died he became involved in several killings and quarrels. In 982 BCE Erik's thralls caused a landslide to overwhelm the home of Valthiof and his family,Valthiof's kinsmen Eyjolf responded by killing the thralls, Erik then killed Eyjolf. As a consequence Erik faced the Thing Assembly and was banished from Iceland for three years. During his banishment he heard a man called Gunnbjorm Ulfsson had discovered some islands west of Iceland. Erik then decided to sail to these islands in his long ship.
Erik died sometime between 1003 and 1004 BCE. When Erik 's horse stumbled and injured its leg, he thought this was a bad omen so he decided to stay in Greenland, rather than travel with Leif. He died soon after this incident.
He traveled to Iceland as a young boy after his father Thorvald was exiled from Norway for killing some men in a fight. When Erik's father died he became involved in several killings and quarrels. In 982 BCE Erik's thralls caused a landslide to overwhelm the home of Valthiof and his family,Valthiof's kinsmen Eyjolf responded by killing the thralls, Erik then killed Eyjolf. As a consequence Erik faced the Thing Assembly and was banished from Iceland for three years. During his banishment he heard a man called Gunnbjorm Ulfsson had discovered some islands west of Iceland. Erik then decided to sail to these islands in his long ship.