Midnight Sun Race
In the Wake of Vikings
|
|
Home 
In the wake of Vikings
In the wake of Vikings | In the wake of Vikings |
|
|
|
 The Vikings who settled Iceland came from Norway, Scotland and even Ireland. Their expansion into new lands was made possible by their longships, ideally designed for warfare and travelling long distances. These ships handled well in open seas, were easy to sail and row, and were fast. They had a shallow keel, making it possible to sail deep into Europe on raids.These Vikings went looking for new lands, and had heard of places in the west from Irish monks who had gone to Iceland. The settlement of Iceland had enormous significance for Norsemen. Land was fertile in Iceland, and the Vikings who initially attempted to make home in Scotland and Ireland eventually settled in their promised land. Soon after settlement, Iceland became one of Europe’s most remarkable nations: an Alþingi (Parliament) was established, making Iceland one of the world’s first democracies, and the Sagas and Eddas were written, considered to be among the world’s most important literature. The settlement of Iceland, however, did not alter the Viking need to journey. They were fierce warriors and experienced seafarers, and went on hostile voyages, as well as visits, to distant lands. Icelanders in days of yore, therefore, had close connections with mainland Europe. Vikings continued to explore new parts of the world, eventually discovering Greenland and settling there. However, an unwelcoming environment and disease ultimately forced the Norsemen to abandon Greenland. The most notable discovery made by Icelanders was America, which they called Vinland. Icelander Snorri Þorfinnsson was the first European born in North America, 500 years before other Europeans discovered America and settled there. |
