First Settler of the New World

This study discusses the expedition made by Thorfinn Karlsefni to Vinland the Good. Karlsefni sailed there from Greenland along with his wife Gudrid and a fine company of men. They brought along all sorts of livestock, having orginally planned to settle in the new land. Karlsefni stayed for three years in Vinland, but was forced to leave due to the hostility of the natives there as well infighting among his men. He and his wife returned to his native region of Skagafjordur in Iceland and lived the remainder of their days as respected farmers. The present study is based on a new appraisal of older sources, in particular the Saga of Eirik the Red, also called the Saga of Thorfinn Karlsefni. In the opinion of the author, Jonas Kristjansson, this saga, written in the 13th century, is not only the most detailed but also the most trustworthy source concerning the voyages of Thofinn Karlsefni.