The True Story of Leif Erikson | Vikings Valhalla

/ historyprofiles
All Credit for the music goes to: Royalty Free Music - Alexander Nakarada
• Melodic/Celtic/Fantasy...
Sources: The Saga of Eric the Red - The Saga of the Greenlanders
One of History’s most successful but forgotten explorers was Leif Erikson, the man who discovered and explored the lands of North America, otherwise known to the Vikings as Vinland. So why did our teachers at school and everyone else credit Christopher Columbus for discovering America when the Vikings were there 500 years earlier? First lets explore further into the life of Leif Erikson.

[@kathleenperry4896]

I was born in California and am now in my 70's. When I was a girl one of my teachers told our class about Leif Erickson being the first person to explore and discover North America. I believe it was at the same time we were learning about Christopher Columbus and the European exlorers and California history. I've always had a fascination about the Vikings and their culture. Love your stories. Thank you.

[@tizzhood4053]

Nice 😂

[@VersedNJ]

I'm 65, in grade school and high school, Leif Erikson, Hudson, Magellan etal were taught but Columbus was given the most time. In the southern part of the state, they teach a little of Jan Mayen, whom Cape May, Mays Landing and Jan Mayen Island off Norway were named after. Dutch Explorer.

[@thekittennetwork6753]

As a Newfoundlander, I am positive Leif Erikson was the first European in North America. The remnants of a Viking village were found at L'anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of my province. I was taught it in school in the 1970's and I chuckled when I learned John Cabot "discovered" Newfoundland in 1497. Sorry, Mate, Leif the Lucky beat you to it 500 years before!

[@johnmcook1]

well duh they have a sight in canada like a port they was all over canada and the usa

[@Simonpepsi]

what happen to the village L'anse aux Meadows before cabot arrives ? was it still there ? did they left? did they died ? what happen ?

[@thekittennetwork6753]

@@Simonpepsi L'anse aux Meadows is almost 400km from John Cabot's landing site so he wouldn't have seen it. Plus, it was buried by 5 centuries of vegetative growth. The Vikings only stayed in NL for a year or 2 because of the harsh conditions and they had several battles with the local Indigenous Peoples

[@invincibleluis]

A bloodline of explorers, simply amazing.

[@historyprofiles]

It really is !

[@IFY0USEEKAY]

In their blood and their culture, down through the ages. Not really surprising that the south pole was first reached by a Norwegian, Roald Amundsen.

[@ChildOfIslamSadiq]

God's plan 😎👍🏿

[@nialloneill5097]

The Vikings were a fine, strong race, exceedingly courageous, and adventurous, inspired by the need to create deeds and stories of greatness. One little known, but remarkable story is that of another Leif, who lived in the Canadian settlement, and sought other furs further south and west, with a small group of men. They became separated, and soon after, Leif was caught by the Crow tribe. They saw his cross, and considered Leif a holy man, so learned their language, and educated them about the one true God. Later, escorted by the Crow for his protection, he visited other nearby Plains peoples, and told them too of the Great Mystery and Great Spirit. Thus did the Plains tribes become loyal servants of the Great Mystery, and received tidings of the future, including the coming of white men, who would take their land, if they allowed them to interbreed with them, or dig their ground, or ply them with fire water. Not all tribes were united though, and so the invasion took root, and slowly, but surely, the Prophecy was fulfilled, that they would have no land left. Other Prophecies also spoke of a time later, if this invasion happened, when great serpents would destroy one another, seen as Russia and the USA, a time of holocaust, when the white man would be removed from their lands, and the natives and another similar coloured people would live there in the future. This time is not far off!!!

[@xedsity]

Fr its Amazing

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

As a Canadian, I'm positive that Leif Erikson was here well before Columbus. It's taught in school here. Thanks, Oli. The Crime Reel sends his regards. Stay safe out there.

[@notaseal7864]

The historical and cultural significance of Columbus really have nothing to do with him being the European to reach America. He was the one who truly opened both worlds to each other. His arrival is what caused the Spread of the diseases of the old world that destroyed 80 percent of native Americans

[@jamescheddar4896]

They don't even mention Columbus in Canadian history because he wasn't here. I remember the book puts John Cabot first (Giovanni Cabboto) and the teacher mentioned Leif Erikson as a bit of trivia. I think Henry Hudson and Antony Henday had the largest chapters. I think its not important to credit the Norse as being here first because the indigenous populations were here for 10000 years before that and we still don't distinguish their tribes properly. I'm caucasian but I though that indigenous awareness day was condescending and ignorant as hell. They lumped the entire population together and basically made the claim that the European descendants failed them as if they were children.

[@drifter8862]

well yes it is well known

[@nialloneill5097]

@@jamescheddar4896 They failed them in their barbarity, falsehood and lies, incuding the enigma called the Christian Church.

[@jamescheddar4896]

​@@nialloneill5097 They only fail when they presume to help. Indigenous awareness day is repeating the mistakes of the past by the government sticking its nose in their affairs and trying to help those who didn't ask. I was shown a presentation on how they were not taught to love their children and other nonsense like that. You have to think very little of them to come to the conclusion that they need to be taught to experience basic human biology. it's racism within the guilt of past racism. we need to break the cycle instead of constantly trying to correct something dead people did.

[@robertward442]

Because the Indians had run-ins with the Vikings long before they had run-ins with the Spanish

[@margaretlumley1648]

I totally believe Vikings got to North America centuries before Columbus! I was delighted to learn about the Vikings. I really don't understand why i didn't learn this until i was in my 60s!

[@bonbonvegabon]

We learned about the Vikings in schools here in Canada

[@pederliljequist812]

It has been a Liljequist family tradition that Leif Erickson was an ancestor of ours, and had indeed discovered Vinland some 500 years before Columbus, I first heard this as a toddler in the late'50s, and saw the map for the first time in the '60s.

[@mortensuperlite]

He´s probably not your ancestor. Sorry

[@willowraevynwood865]

When I was younger (in the 1980's), I remember him being mentioned and credited with discovering North America but then he seemed to disappear from the history books as I got older. It caused huge amounts of confusion on my part. Great video!!

[@jessp1535]

Totally agreed 👍

[@ngaramimckellar9128]

He brutally murdered native Americans and Cubans,that's probably why

[@robertrumgay5286]

I heard of as well growing up

[@IanHunter78]

It had already disappeared when I was in school. Columbus was credited with discovering America at that point. I heard brief mention of Leif Erikson from time to time, so I was aware of him.

[@IanHunter78]

@The Nfl is NOTHING without Tom Brady! !!!Lief was still here first, though.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

We know beyond any doubt the Viking were here LONG before Columbus, we have the archeological site of L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland that was a Viking settlement a thousands years ago, there are other sites but that is the main known one.

[@nialloneill5097]

It's true ye know, Vikings be having a settlement upon the East coast. T'is said that the bravest of these folk traversed farther afield, seeking better and different furs. One of these men, also called Leif, be captured by the Crow tribe, who thought he would make a great bonfire. However, upon stripping him aready to roast him alive, his Cross fell to the ground, and the brave who picked it up was burnt. They saw this as a mighty omen, did ye braves of the Crow, and decided to let the man be. However, he stayed there to learn their language, and pass on news of the one mighty God, whom they called the Great Grandfather, whilst His servant was named the Great Spirit. The Viking man spent the remainder of his life spreading tidings around and upon the plains of Turtle Island, so the Cheyenne, the Sioux, Arikara, and other tribes came to know of the Great Mystery, and Great Spirit. They were warned of the coming of the white man too, and were told not to mix with him, nor let have have any land, nor drink his fire water, for if they did, they would be cursed. Sadly, the rest is history, apart from their Prophecies, which speak of the end of the white man upon their shores, and a new time, a New Age, that is ushered after a great Apocalypse, which is part of the Final Judgment of all mankind. A fine race those Vikings!!!

[@annmccune5191]

I know true. Oct 6th In America is Leif Ericsson Day .In Brooklyn we have Norwegian Day have a parade we have parks and statues in his name

[@marilynwade9448]

Rune stones in Oklahoma too

[@SealBreeze]

Columbus discovered America

[@garyp3644]

@@SealBreeze no he didn't. He thought america was India so

[@kiwionarope]

Its truly a serene feeling, being able to sit on the shores at L'anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, knowing that Leif himself once stood and surveyed the same land and bay. And to walk in the old village, in their steps, very cool.

[@richardroach4163]

Duluth Minnesota left me in total awe. Like going back in time. And seeing it all unfold for yourself. Kids jumping into a stream pouring out 30 or 40 miles an hour. Just go see it for yourself next spring. I'm a believer

[@TinaFivesten]

I've heard that there were another man just before Leif Eriksson, who managed to set foot on 'America'. That's why Leif knew that it would be more land after Island.

[@kas7423]

That would be Bjarni Herjulfsson, who didn't technically set foot on the land but was the first to discover it. He is however mentioned in the Greenlander saga and not the Erik the red saga, so it might and might not have happened.

[@realscience948]

Apparently the man was shipwrecked there??

[@inpersonaDK]

@@moneyflow5058 Well, you seem to forget what “discovery” contribute to the enlightenment of human beings. “The natives” didn’t know where they where in the large geographic aspect which include the Eskimos of Greenland when explorers at the time discovered new land in the northern western atmosphere 🌎 .

[@drifter8862]

where did you hear this...

[@tizzhood4053]

No Leif was first 😅

[@matthewwaters5317]

I'm in Iceland and have just seen his statue, amazing video

[@danieldaly5811]

As a young man I started commercial fishing off the coast of Washington. That experience led me to come to know many Norwegian families in the Ballard suburb of Seattle. Leif Erickson myths were everywhere, and in Ballard everyone knew Columbus was about 500 years late!

[@berenicewaters4096]

What such an amazing life Leaf had. En excellent video with great beautiful images . Thanks for the upload.

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you so much!

[@sabaisabai8626]

There are paintings in a cave in South of Thailand depicting Vikings. With rune writing as well. The history books missed that one as well.

[@Declan_Moriarty]

Say what now?

[@peterroberts7684]

Say what?,I know the Vikings were in contact with the Byzantines/East Romans ,and the Muslims,but Thailand?,er,abit of a stretch,I will have to research it..

[@egikskallagrimsson5703]

Source?

[@tizzhood4053]

True so true

[@charlessanders]

No actually there isn't. No serious historian or archeologist believes that. I've seen photos of them and they don't look like viking ships to me. They could be Chinese junks or a depiction of European ships during the age of discovery. The real question is who painted them? Sailing to North America from Greenland followed the vikings progressive exploring to the west. And they didn't miss the vikings being in North America before Columbus. I learned about it in school.

[@mrk1298]

Another great video as always Ollie

[@wildeyed76]

Another excellent History Profile!!! 👏

[@picklerick.n.666]

Yes finally Ollie again and awesome narration and extremely interesting content keep up the great work:)

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you so much Poky!!

[@Vandalio_Saez]

Just finished vikings valhalla on Netflix glad i found your video 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@ELKE-]

Superb narration on this great history! Music, images all so wonderful! Thank you Mr History Profiles(Ollie) I loved it!

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you Elke it means a lot!

[@ELKE-]

@@historyprofiles Always my pleasure Ollie! Thank you.! Good night

[@evadsullivan5325]

I agree

[@BSU55]

The Solutrean's were on the Delmarva Peninsula approximately 24,000 years ago.

[@tamsmith291]

This is a great channel, about to rinse you content! Keep up the great work.

[@Elliee2013]

Thank you so much, you helped me with my history lesson.

[@oxyaction]

You should have included L’Anse aux Meadows(Newfoundland) in your story. The viking settlement is dated to around 1000 AD. So it's kinda proved it was Europeans in America before Columbus. Also it's about skrællings(native Americans) in the sagas.

[@nialloneill5097]

Yes, I have sacred texts of events that stemmed from this community of Vikings, for it was one of them, also called Leif, who spread tidings of the one true God, although He was called by other names, such as the Great Mystery, or Great Spirit. The book is called Generational Times Unveiled, and can be found at Lulu.

[@annmccune5191]

So true .However Newfoundland was independent. In 1949 I t became a providence of Canada They were there though

[@annmccune5191]

Oct 6 is Leif Ericsson Day in America .In Brooklyn we have parks and statues celebrated him

[@jeanclaudejunior]

​@@annmccune5191I like Leif Erikson day and Indigenous day better than Columbus day.

[@bonbonvegabon]

We have Indigenous Day here in Canada. We dont celebrate Columbus Day here in Canada@@jeanclaudejunior

[@nialloneill5097]

Yes, I have a book affirming the existence of a Viking community in Canada, and the wanderings of one of these warriors, seeking furs. He was captured by the Crow, but became their friend and preacher, learning their language, and then spreading news of the mighty God to other tribes. They called Him the Great Mystery and Great Spirit!

[@clivejones1888]

good grief … the god squad has snuck in … !!!

[@nialloneill5097]

@@clivejones1888 We call Him Grandfather, or the Great Mystery...and yes, you did not completely wipe us out, so we snuck in!

[@karenfyhr2363]

What are you smoking?... The Crow Indians lived in Montana, Wyoming & South Dakota... You're not even close...lol

[@nialloneill5097]

@@karenfyhr2363 Note I said the 'wanderings', for as he told his native brothers, some of the bravest of the Vikings went further south and west to find more exotic furs. Hence, he was captured by the Crow, who almost burnt him at a stake until a cross dropped from his neck and spooked the Crow. He then stayed and learnt their language, and they accompanied him when he visited other local tribes, including some of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arikara, the latter being the largest tribe in the area at the time. It was amongst these people that a spiritual training settlement was set up, which was visited by natives as far as away as the Great Lakes, and the Rocky Mts, as spirituality spread across Turtle Island. Then seers came into their midst who warned of the coming of the white man, as the tribes were told not to let them have their land, women, nor to take their fire water, but alas, not all tribes and native peoples were as immersed in the Great Spirit as were some of the Plains people, and the rest as they say...is HISTORY!!!

[@pinklady3885]

Hello Ollie, I think you have done a magnificent narration on this wonderful piece of history. I do believe that Leif was the first to discover the America's. Just imagine the beautiful lush vegetation he saw; he was truly blessed. I do enjoy your viking research and the way you insert such interesting pictures. You are the best Ollie... thank you. 👌👏🍀🌻🍎💃

[@marinakaiser7639]

So wonderful how you said it,again😁❤‼

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you so much Punk Lady! I hope you enjoyed the video!

[@pinklady3885]

@@marinakaiser7639 Hi there marina. Love to hear from you. ❤️👌

[@justafan3697]

How can he be the first to discover America when there was people already living there Talk about white washing history 😂😂

[@pinklady3885]

@@justafan3697 from the perspective of discovery.... 😂😂

[@WunnSEN]

Only makes me excited of more to come in Vikings Valhalla

[@jermaincummings2679]

Wow just wow.this is the so interesting. History is so fascinating

[@tinyGrim1]

Thank you . Very interesting.

[@marinakaiser7639]

Another Viking warrior thanks dear Ollie🤗😁👋❤🖤‼

[@brodyberry6253]

Great stuff

[@LoneMaestro-]

Love this content

[@anthonymorse7099]

I love how the TV show and historical correct the show is

[@big1dog23]

It's proven by substantial archeological remains in NE Canada. No longer open to question, however, how far south they ventured is, and they were not the first humans there by even a close call. With sustained supply they could have taken small portions, but like the Lost Colony, were doomed as early invaders.

[@youmaus]

According to one of the translators who worked the l'Ainse-aux-Medows Viking site in Newfoundland no Viking ever went anywhere that they didn't send Irish slaves as a vanguard to scout scope and set up camp.

[@janetbarcroft7115]

Yes I was taught about Leif Erikson in school, in Canada in the late 50's or early 60's

[@dasharamlal9886]

In the stories I heard Lief met Thorgunna in Vinland and had gotten her pregnant but left her there and she eventually sent their son to Lief in Greenland but Lief also had another son with another woman which took over Greenland when he passed. I also read about this in a couple different articles when I did some research on Lief when I heard Vikings Valhalla was going to come out.

[@Tom-ys5ik]

In school (History Class mid 60's) I recall a teacher who told us about Leif Erickson. I also recall that there was a settlement mentioned. There was mention of the first child born to Northmen in North America, a daughter named "Snorri". I read this is a book but it is so many years I forget the title. I believe this to be true, however I also Believe that Brendan the Navigator an Irish Monk may have visited North America as well. My DNA says Irish with some traces of Danish & German

[@cokeysnose375]

New vid, awesome!

[@Oneofklairesmanyacc21]

I’m literally doing a live wax museum presentation on Leif and had a writing project on him

[@brianedwards7142]

He regretted it in later life and changed. He was like a new man. You might say he turned over a new Leif. I'll see myself out.

[@dinasimwanza]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@walimorris2406]

I loved learning more about Leif Erikson! I think the producers do an amazing job with the shows. They do well enough to entertain and provide some history. Does anyone know of any resources of any written Sagas of figures like Ivar?

[@nialloneill5097]

Generations Unveiled is the story of the movement of one of these Vikings, who headed south and west for different furs. It tells how he brought enlightenment to the Plains people. A beautiful story, which I bought from Lulu Publishers.

[@WisomofHal]

@@nialloneill5097 thank you

[@aerotheepic]

Regardless of if it was Leif, Viking ruins have been found in North America so it’s not a myth that they were there before Columbus

[@sarahgirlisit]

Yes! Thank you!

[@christinecurchod2271]

Yes, the Viking did arrive 400+ tes before. L'Anse aux Meadows in North-Eastern Newfoundland (Terre Neuve un French). I was There early 1980 the year it became part if the Unesco world héritage site. Merci for tour vidéo🙋🏻

[@Smokin_Phat_Dabs]

Yeah, I too can make up some loftt BS about myself and theres no way for you to fact check it.

[@janspetlik3471]

Hi, i am 13 yrs old and i am from the czech republic. We have just been learning about this man in school. When i asked my dad who they were learning about as the firs discoverer of america, he told me it was eric the red. (remember, he was lerning that when communism was in our country) I myself believe that it was leiff but nobody knows perfectly.

[@michaeljones0007]

I think he didn't get the credit because no one actually wrote it down. There were the sagas, but they came two centuries later. I would imagine when the English and French showed up they may have run into a native or two well over six foot. Perhaps that settlement was killed/died off or were assimilated. If they had taken more people back there would have been plenty of people there 500 years before Columbus.

[@djvelocity]

*Question for @HistoryProfiles:* I really like your channel. What software and image resources do you use to create your videos? I ask because I don’t have a KZbin channel but I have a small blog and I would like to make my images look like yours. I use Canva but I’m looking to upgrade. From one creator to another, thanks! 😊🙌

[@deandwyer860]

Leif Eirikson made his settlement on the northern tip of the province of Newfoundland, Canada . The ruins of the settlement are there .

[@cleanmyshortsdavidtrucchio4502]

I remember learning in the 70s in school like 3rd grade the Amerigo Vespuchi an Italian explorers and the was the one who discovered America and that's why it's called America. But as I got older and I told people they say they never heard any story like that or that guy and my friend used to argue eith me that it was Columbus

[@moneyallspent7117]

I’m a product of Catholic school education (grammar school and high school), I was taught about Leif E because of his Christianity. Also Christopher Columbus. We weren’t taught who was exactly first. Just about their travels and spreading the faith. My youngest who is 9 just came home with school work about Leif, Columbus, Ponce De Leon, and a few others. He also goes to Catholic school. I’m glad it’s still in the curriculum.

[@lilletrille1892]

Leif definitely went first as predates Columbus with half a millennium 😉

[@SealBreeze]

Conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon was the first European to land in the continental America (Florida)

[@bobmalibaliyahmarley1551]

Erik the Red, Leif Erikson's father was from Norway, but later became banished from Norway and Iceland due to several murders. King Olav/Olaf, is in Scandinavia known as ''Olav the Holy'' or ''Saint Olav'', he is the patron saint in Norway and the Faroe Islands. There are many stories about how he went about ''christianizing'' Norway with an iron fist. One of the stories tells about how he came into possession of his legendary longship ''Ormen Lange'' (The long serpent/dragon), when Olav sailed to the north of Norway in the Hålogaland area (in Norway's Nordland county) he was met with resistance from a local chieftain in an area known as Saltstraumen. This chieftain was named Raud den rame (Raud in rami). Saltstraumen today is a huge tourist attraction in Norway, because it's the worlds largest and strongest whirlpool tidal current, and the story tells about this, however at the time it was believed that Raud den rame was not only a powerful Viking chieftain, but also a sorcerer, and that the strong currents was his work of magic to repel invaders. Olav/Olaf the Holy eventually got on shore and restrained Raud den rame and gave him a choice; become a christian, or die. Raud who was a die hard pagan refused to become a christian, so Olav had him killed by forcing a hot piece of metal down his throat. And after that, Olav took Raud's longship, Ormen Lange, which Olav himself claimed was the finest longship he had ever seen. Or something along those lines does the story go.

[@nialloneill5097]

Christianity was hot stuff back then, and not an easy rod to swallow!

[@Aremeriel]

1. Erik the Red was not banished from Norway, but his father was when Erik was around 10 years old. 2. For the rest, you got your Olavs mixed up ... Ormen Lange belonged to Olav Tryggvason (app. 960 - 1000, king of Norway 995 - 1000) and not Saint Olav II Haraldsson (app. 993 - 1030, king of Norway 1015 - 1028). 3. Raud never met Saint Olav. 4. Raud's ship was renamed "Ormen" when Olav Tryggvason took it. "Ormen Lange" was built using "Ormen" as a model, but it was made bigger and longer and then "Ormen" was renamed "Ormen Skamme" or "Ormen Stutte" depending on translation. 5. Eirik Håkonsson Ladejarl supposedly took Ormen Lange after the battle of Svolder.

[@pentegarn1]

Good show but you forgot the "Hop" settlement. The furthest south that he went. Which was probably Connecticut or New York. I kinda think Gungywamp CT is Hop since a X and P is said to be carved on a rock there.

[@christopherknox6810]

Extraordinary

[@acesh5606]

I learned alot about vikings in school in Iceland Leifur Eiríksson var Icelandic, his dad (Eiríkur Rauði) was from Norway and his wife Leifur Eríkssons mom Þjóðhildur was Icelandic. And Yes Leifur Eiríksson was first viking in Amerika and he came to America before Columbus.

[@kimberlybarrett4537]

I learned about Leif Erickson in school in the 1960s, but only briefly, as the focus was on Columbus.

[@antoinettedoyle3185]

Yes I do believe Leif was the first to discover America. I've heard stories about this before.

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@blinkbubs3994]

first European you mean

[@NashvilleSaint]

Definitely not smfh

[@SealBreeze]

Columbus discovered America

[@tersiavandermerwe4540]

Thank you for telling us the story of Leif Erickson. We do not have this history in South Africa but from your story and the comments I believe it was Leif first before Columbus

[@spiritofsanity3948]

L'Anse aux Meadows, living in eastern Canada I've known this since I was a kid in school

[@planethellgate1278]

In elementary & middle school I was taught as a boy that Leif Erikson was the first European to discover America and not Christopher Columbus. We were taught Vineland was the first European settlement in America by Vikings. We were also taught about Eric the Red. There are historical artifacts that prove this to be true.

[@dj-supag7920]

Believable!

[@narcisosalas1180]

Lol! I give credit to Leif being one of the first to visit these lands…but not it’s discovery…he was one of the first to meet the Micmac people and probably a few Mohawk and Iroquois…but we as natives were here already and didn’t just “show up” and “discover” a land already full of different people..with different customs and languages

[@FredrikSkievan]

Natives would have no idea what a continent was so they didn't really discover it.

[@karenfyhr2363]

Yes to the mi'kmaq tribe, but not the Mohawk and Iroquois Indians, the Vikings and venture into New York..

[@drjprice]

Good video

[@annapetursdottir5326]

There where probably many before him that sailed to America. Leif must have learned of the area from those who had been there earlier and told stories of their adventures on their arrival back. Even at the time the settlers where arriving in Iceland, they talked about the land in the West where they had sailed and found better living conditions than was to be found in Iceland.

[@kathyanngellizeau7840]

Thanks for the upload, I alway believe the vikings were the 1st.. To discover the west.. Listening from St Vincent and the Grenadines..

[@SealBreeze]

Columbus discovered America

[@helenstenderup2563]

Hiya Oli, thank you so much for this, i'm a writer or trying to be and my first novel is about a female berserker based on an old story told to me by a teacher in high school that she herd on her student teaching trip to Norway and northern Scandinavian countries. Sif or her oldest known saga in the old language is so much more than the stories you can find now...My point is I would love you to be the voice that folks hear telling my story. Well dreams can come true right? Just ask Leif... Great work thank you keep them coming!!!

[@historyprofiles]

Good luck on the novel Helen! That female berserker story sounds epic and I’ve love to know more about it for a video, do you have any names or sources ?

[@SuccessforLifester]

Now I understand the origin of Ericsson brand.

[@stephenjones7090]

Great video. Columbus established townships and they lasted. Being of Norse background - Leif discovered America!

[@lourias]

There is much proof that Erikson made it to the Amercas long before Columbus.

[@Aroment]

It was Columbus

[@kingcamelot1395]

​@@AromentIgnorance will get you nowhere

[@Wolfsden359]

The evidence that has been found here on the island where I live called Newfoundland which some believed is to be Vinland as there has been a confirmed Viking settlement uncovered in an area called Lanse-Aux-Meadows as well as possibly a second discovery further south on the west coast but the second has not been confirmed to be one as yet. Lanse-Aux-Meadows is classed as a National Historic Site.

[@ambientheat]

The people who discovered North America were the ancestors of the Indigenous people who lived there long before Christopher Columbus or Lief Erikson. But as far as the first European, definitely Leif Erikson was first.

[@trevordrexler5652]

Thanks for the history lesson, no one gives a shit.

[@Aroment]

Columbus discovered America

[@jamiegregg9211]

I utterly agree with you Ollie Lief not Columbus found America cool vid really enjoyed it

[@youtubeyoutube936]

That is silly. Leif did not make it known to Europe. Columbus did. That is the context of how the term discovery is used. If you want it to mean who was there first then it was neither as it was inhabited

[@Aroment]

Jesus discovered America

[@jamiegregg9211]

@@youtubeyoutube936 true but he discovered it first thats what i meant

[@soulsey]

I remember learning somewhere in the 1980s that Lief found America because he was exiled. They gave him a small boat, and told him to never come back.

[@MrWill9002]

Poor Lief. An unsung explorers

[@noelryan6341]

Okay, does anybody read/understand Latin and medieval cartography? The 'map' repeatedly displayed on-screen provides more 'clues' than an episode of 'Murder She Wrote' with fictional 'Jessica Fletcher as the sleuth. Look at the names of features in that map - 'Desiderate Insula'; 'Magnae Insulae Beati Brandani'; 'Branziliae Dictae' etc. Sixth Century Irish Monk, Saint Brendan, recorded his epic journey of discovery in a leather boat, accompanied by twelve 'apostles', where he 'island hopped' northwards from Ireland and Scotland, then westwards past what later 'Vikings' in his wake would settle and name as 'Iceland', 'Greenland' and 'Vinland'. However, even in the 6th century, Brendan was only following a more ancient, pre-Christian 'Voyage of Bran', that recorded a most wonderful 'Heavenly Paradise' land to the west. English Historian and Adventurer Tim Severin, faithfully reconstructed the leather boat of Brendan and with a small group of fellow-adventurers completed the journey, arriving in the USA to coincide with the Bicentenary Celebrations in July 1996. Tim Severin recorded his adventure in a book and documentary 'The Brendan Voyage'. It seems the 'Vikings' didn't just plunder Irish Monastic Settlements for loot and slaves, they also 'stole' the knowledge of the 'New World' that Columbus claimed. But that's another story of how Columbus acquired his 'intelligence' of how to 'go west' across the Atlantic Ocean.

[@macraghnaill3553]

Yes, Leif discovered America as evidence of Vikings has been found there, I also read that the Vikings got as far as Russia

[@lilletrille1892]

Helge Ingstad found ruins of the Norse settlement in Newfoundland in 1960. In the other direction, yup! The emperor of Constantinople had a mercenary army consistent mostly of Norsemen

[@nialloneill5097]

I read they are the original Belarussians, as the name comes from Viking, for Boat People, from what I recall.

[@lilletrille1892]

@@nialloneill5097 🤔 I think that might be a stretch... The Swedes definitely preferred "Østerled" going east. They were more into trade than pillaging. I think it's safe to say that at the very least they influenced Belarus heavily.

[@sandrawamsley3876]

@@nialloneill5097 Hej Niall! Studies in all this and the Kyevan Rus tells us that the founders of Kiev were called Varingians by the local folks - Swedish vikings.

[@nialloneill5097]

@@sandrawamsley3876 Yes, I have heard of this before. They got around those Vikings!

[@sra.silviaterancontreras7021]

I AM convinced that the mérit of discovering América was of Leif Eriksson

[@nialloneill5097]

Absolutely!!!

[@American-Dragon]

They have found european style rock structures from 20000 years ago in canada

[@brooke6549]

@@American-Dragon Canada isn’t America.

[@SealBreeze]

Columbus discovered America

[@mckayhatch6723]

I think the Sagas are supported by the archeological evidence found in Canada.

[@chornk64]

History shows that Columbus never set foot in the US. He landed in the Bahamas and even briefly traveled south to what is South America. That said, Leif and company were first to arrive in North America.

[@larseriksen3774]

I believe, I can feel it in my bloodline! My Name is Lars Eriksen, true blood of the Eriksons. Hail Odin💪🏼 Skål👌🏼

[@adriansheldon7778]

May the mighty all Father bring you wisdom .

[@selennarose4762]

Lol, I don't believe Columbus even knew where he was going🤣 He landed by pure accident.

[@nialloneill5097]

His spirit was lost, but his nose was led by the smell of gold

[@Aroment]

He thought he landed in India 🇮🇳 that's why he named the locals Indians

[@FredrikSkievan]

It's not like Leif knew either tho

[@JBguitar-cj8pc]

I don’t think anyone knew? Lol

[@mbk3214]

Since leif is from iceland was he related ( in the series) to any of the guys who were on iceland during vikings like kjetil or ubbe or oki?

[@MrsBrit1]

A Viking settlement was found, dating from 1000 years ago, in Newfoundland, Canada, so yeah, there's no debate the Vikings reached North America before other Europeans.

[@jamesivie5717]

Leif did in fact find the new world before Columbus, but did not spread the word of it like Columbus. The colonies in Vinland were abandoned and lost to history.

[@johnhagemeyer8578]

I personally agree with you about Leif, 500 years means 🥇 first. I just started watching vikings vah. So I'm a gonna just see how much it varys from the History. I don't know diddly squat about Leif. Thanks great channel.

[@youtubeyoutube936]

Why? Didn’t anyone else live there?

[@historyprofiles]

Thank you so much John!

[@blackjini8788]

@Brandon Letzco rascist

[@adriansheldon7778]

@@blackjini8788 how so ??.

[@blackjini8788]

@@adriansheldon7778 how does the actor being black effect anything most the other characters aren’t even actually the naroonality of the real people they portray

[@annamosier1950]

Wow good

[@erichoppe8228]

Yes! I do believe that Vikings were in America! I also believe that Colombus did not find America. He found Islands Caribbean!

[@oneshothunter9877]

That's what I've read/heard too. Columbus found the Caribbean. Vespucci Amerigo found America, hence the name America - an "anglofied" version of his surname.

[@erichoppe8228]

@@oneshothunter9877 Yes but Vespucci was never North of Cuba! North and South America are named after a man just like (Colombus) that was never in America! The Vikings Were in North America!

[@oneshothunter9877]

@@erichoppe8228 Yes, right. The norse/Vikings reached the coasts of "America" around 500 years earlier.

[@robertnewell4054]

Leif Erickson used to taught in Elementary School, typically starting around 5Th Grade/Grade 5.

[@jfarinhote]

It's proven that it were indeed the vikings the first european men in America. Wheter it was Leif or not that is another question. But the importance of Christopher Columbus is enormous because it opened the doors to colonization and to the Americas we know today.

[@Smokin_Phat_Dabs]

Yeah, they were in America long before Columbus but not the first...not even close.

[@arlwav]

shoutsout vinland saga anime, if you havent seen it and like viking era, watch it

[@historyprofiles]

Great anime they need to release the new season

[@arlwav]

​@@historyprofiles hundred % .. i cant wait

[@laurenlobello2948]

Although already inhabited by many great nations of indigenous peoples, I wholeheartedly believe that Leif was the first European to visit the America’s. History provides many strong indicators of this fact.

[@gunnarelisigurjonsson2587]

Icelanders have learned this in schools since a long time ago I learned this story when I was 8 years old Hello from Iceland 🇮🇸 We knew but nobody cared

[@Aroment]

Columbus discovered America

[@gunnarelisigurjonsson2587]

@@Aroment yes and the pyramids are only 300 years old

[@ktb183]

Very interesting, I'm Scandinavian and we learned very little about the Vikings in school. One minor thing only, for what it's worth, Leif is not pronounced as Leaf, but the "e" and the "i" are distinct. Think the "ei" sound i "later," "waiter."

[@k-pax532]

wasn't there an Irish saint Brendan who was there first and also Irish monks in Iceland before the Vikings settled there too ?

[@tim3440]

Quality only 360p? Cant watch video. :(

[@chornk64]

Columbus never set foot on North American soil. His discovery was in what we know as the Bahamas. Leif on the other hand, landed somewhere just north of the state of Maine.

[@angelicaperez6168]

Oli, do you think it is possible that in Leif's missing years, he managed to sail much further south than previously believed and possibly became "Quetzalcoatl"?

[@Ebelitha]

I'm Danish, so of course I belive that the Vikings was there before Columbus. But that doesn't mean that there haven't been others comeing from Europe before the Vikings.

[@christianlorentzen6479]

This is great to see/hear about. I just want to mention that Mark in danish (and Norwegian I recon) means field. So Markland would be Fieldland. Strange that he would call it that. Maybe something went lost in translation or in time... Thnx for the video.

[@Scourge63]

Or the climate was different and the fields weren't that big...

[@FredrikSkievan]

Mark also means worm in norwegian but that makes less sense. Also i think you meant "reckon" instead of "recon"

[@karenfyhr2363]

The sagas named land of forest as markland.. believed to be mainland Canada and Baffin Island

[@mortensuperlite]

Mark means forest in Norwegian. The forest around Oslo is called marka.

[@christianlorentzen6479]

@@mortensuperlite ok godt det var nytt for mig, så hva hetter en mark du kan høste hos jer?