thorfinn karlsefni journey

Thorfinn Karlsefni – The Viking Explorer Who Sought to Colonize North America

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Thorfinn Karlsefni, an ambitious Viking explorer born in Iceland, set off on a transformative journey to colonize Vinland in the early 11th century.

Driven by stories of an abundant land across the Atlantic, Thorfinn led an expedition of three ships with a band of Norse settlers , including his wife Gudrid and their young son Snorri.

With the promise of riches, timber, and delicious game, the expedition sailed up the Greenland coast and into the Davis Strait before settling on the shores of Newfoundland .

Yet, their arrival marked the beginning of a complex and tumultuous chapter in the history of transatlantic exploration, leading one to ponder: What lay ahead for Thorfinn and his companions in this uncharted land?

Early Life and Background

Born in Iceland around 980 AD, Thorfinn Karlsefni , whose nickname meant ‘promising boy’ or ‘makings of a man,’ hailed from a wealthy family with strong connections to royalty through his genealogy, documented in the medieval Icelandic book *Landnámabók *.

As the son of Thordarson, Thorfinn was an Icelandic aristocrat , known for his entrepreneurial spirit and maritime skills. His family background was distinguished, counting royal figures like Aud the Deep-Minded , a queen from the British Isles, and Ugarval, a king of Ireland, among his ancestors.

Thorfinn grew up in Iceland, where he developed his talents as a sailor and trader. He married Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir, the beautiful and charismatic widow of Erik’s son Thorvald, after a trading voyage to Greenland.

This marriage cemented his ties to the influential Erik the Red , whose son Leif Eriksson had earlier discovered Vinland . Thorfinn’s experiences as a sailor and his connections to the royal family prepared him for his eventual endeavor to colonize Vinland, a journey that would leave its mark on the history of North America .

The Journey to Vinland

Around 1004, Thorfinn Karlsefni and his wife Gudrid , along with about 130 people in three ships, set sail from Greenland heading to the destination that Leif Eriksson had pioneered three years earlier, Vinland , fueled by tales of the New World’s abundance .

Their journey wasn’t without its challenges. They faced navigational obstacles and unpredictable weather, but their determination to establish a colony drove them forward.

In Vinland, they found the earthly paradise described by Eriksson – a land teeming with resources like self-sown wheat, an abundance of grapes, and punk wood treasured for its intricate patterns. The Norse settlers set about organizing their new home, with Karlsefni overseeing the construction of houses and the harvesting of timber and lumber.

Gudrid, meanwhile, gave birth to their son, Snorri , the first child of European descent to be born in the Americas. This pivotal moment in Karlsefni’s expedition marked the beginning of the Vinland settlement, which, although ultimately short-lived, left an indelible mark on the history of North American exploration .

Encounters With Indigenous Peoples

Thorfinn Karlsefni’s band finally made contact with the native population after settling in Vinland , an encounter that would mark a significant change in their relationships and future. Initially, the interactions were friendly . Indigenous peoples visited the colonists during the summer, and both parties seemingly coexisted peacefully.

However, the dynamics took a turn the following summer, as more numerous and less welcoming indigenous groups arrived. Conflicts broke out , resulting in losses on both sides. The Norsemen emerged victorious but at a considerable cost.

These events had a profound impact on the attitude and ultimate decision of the colonists. The strain of violence and hostility led Thorfinn to reassess his goals in Vinland. The harsh realities of their situation and the ongoing conflicts forced him to weigh the risks and rewards of staying in the new land.

Eventually, after three years in Vinland, Thorfinn and his group abandoned their settlement, returning to Greenland and finally settling in Iceland. These pivotal encounters with indigenous peoples played a vital role in shaping the trajectory of Thorfinn’s journey and his legacy as a Viking explorer.

Challenges in Establishing Settlement

Unlike their initial optimism, Thorfinn Karlsefni and his group faced significant challenges in establishing a permanent settlement in Vinland . They encountered difficulties related to land ownership and conflicts with indigenous peoples . The encounter with Native Americans, whom they dubbed ‘ Skraelings ,’ steadily deteriorated their relations.

Despite discovering rich resources such as game, fish, timber, and pasture, the settlers struggled to maintain peaceful coexistence. The final blow came after about three years of settlement when a fight broke out between the Norse and the indigenous peoples, prompting Thorfinn and his family to abandon the settlement, marking the end of the Vinland experiment.

Thorfinn’s and Gudrid’s son, Snorri , born in Vinland around 1005, remains a pivotal figure as the first European born in North America . This ill-fated colonization attempt highlights the hurdles faced by European settlers in the early medieval period and underscores the importance of diplomacy and cooperation with native populations.

Confrontations with indigenous peoples and resource management issues, combined with a low population and lack of continuous support from Greenland and Norway, ultimately doomed the settlement. The challenges faced by Karlsefni and his group demonstrate that even the most ambitious colonizing missions can fail without proper planning, diplomacy, and adaptation to local conditions.

Legacy of Thorfinn Karlsefni

Born in Vinland around 1005, Snorri Thorfinnsson went on to play a significant role in the early Christianisation of Iceland as his descendants became the first Bishops of Iceland.

This legacy indicates that Thorfinn’s journey not only led to the establishment of these early colonies but also had far-reaching impacts on the religious and social dynamics of the regions he and his family influenced.

Thorfinn’s expedition to Vinland laid the groundwork for later Scandinavian explorations , marking one of the earliest recorded instances of European presence in North America .

His historical significance extends beyond the immediate success or failure of his expeditions, as his ventures contributed to the development of maritime routes and early habitations in the Americas, albeit through imperfect and conflict-ridden interactions with indigenous populations.

The enduring legacy of Thorfinn Karlsefni lies in the extensive cultural, religious, and social exchanges that emerged from his pioneering efforts.

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Who Is The Mysterious Viking Explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni?

The Viking Age, a period of seafaring exploration and conquests, brought forth a myriad of Norse adventurers whose exploits shaped the medieval world. Among these bold explorers stands Thorfinn Karlsefni, a figure intricately woven into the tapestry of Viking history through his expeditions to Vinland, a region believed to encompass parts of North America. This article delves into the life of Thorfinn Karlsefni, his relationship with the Vikings , and the enduring legacy of Norse exploration in the New World.

Background and Lineage

Voyages to vinland, birth of snorri thorfinnsson, legacy and historical significance, norse exploration beyond the known world.

Thorfinn Karlsefni, born in Iceland, hailed from a noble lineage. His father, Thord Horse-head, and mother, Thorunn, provided him with a foundation in Icelandic society that would later shape his endeavors as an explorer and settler. A pivotal chapter in Thorfinn’s life unfolded with his marriage to Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir, a woman of notable lineage. Gudrid, known for her resilience and later contributions to the Christianization of Iceland, would become Thorfinn’s companion on the journey to Vinland.

Thorfinn Karlsefni’s association with Vinland is primarily chronicled in the Icelandic sagas, historical narratives that blend fact and myth. While Leif Erikson is often credited with the initial discovery of Vinland, Thorfinn’s involvement came during subsequent expeditions to the region. Eager to establish a foothold in Vinland, Thorfinn Karlsefni and his fellow Norse settlers undertook ambitious ventures. They constructed houses, engaged in agriculture, and navigated the challenges of the new land. The sagas vividly describe their interactions with the indigenous people, referred to as Skrælings, highlighting both trade and conflicts.

The sagas notably document the birth of Snorri Thorfinnsson, the son of Thorfinn and Gudrid. Snorri holds historical significance as the first known European child born in North America, a testament to the resilience of the Norse settlers in a foreign and challenging environment. Following their ventures in Vinland, Thorfinn Karlsefni and Gudrid returned to Iceland. The sagas suggest that the couple lived a prosperous life, with Gudrid playing a pivotal role in the Christianization of Iceland. Their later travels, including a pilgrimage to Rome, underscore the dynamic and well-traveled nature of their lives.

Thorfinn Karlsefni’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of Viking exploration. His expeditions to Vinland represent one of the earliest known European attempts at establishing a settlement in North America. While the exact location of Vinland remains a subject of scholarly debate, Thorfinn’s ventures underscore the daring spirit of the Norse people during the Viking Age .

The Vikings, known for their mastery of the seas, ventured far beyond their Scandinavian homelands. Thorfinn Karlsefni’s journeys contribute to a broader understanding of Norse exploration, pushing the boundaries of the known world and leaving an indelible mark on the historical landscape.

Thorfinn Karlsefni, a Viking explorer of noble lineage, emerges from the pages of sagas as a key figure in the Norse exploration of North America. His exploits in Vinland, alongside his wife Gudrid, embody the adventurous and resilient spirit of the Vikings during an era of seafaring discoveries. As modern scholars continue to unravel the complexities of Norse exploration, Thorfinn Karlsefni stands as a testament to the indomitable courage that fueled the Vikings’ journeys into the unknown.

Who was Thorfinn Karlsefni?

Thorfinn Karlsefni was a Norse explorer born in Iceland during the Viking Age. He played a significant role in expeditions to Vinland, a region believed to include parts of North America.

What is Vinland, and why is it significant?

Vinland is a term from Norse sagas referring to a region that likely includes parts of North America. It is significant as it represents one of the earliest known attempts at Norse settlement in North America.

When did Thorfinn Karlsefni live?

Thorfinn Karlsefni lived during the early 11th century, around the year 1000 CE, during the Viking Age.

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Article by Birgitta Wallace

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited November 9, 2018

Thorfinn Karlsefni (Old Norse Þórfinnr Karlsefni), explorer and trader (born c. 980–95 CE in Iceland; year of death unknown). Born Thorfinn Thordarson, this Icelandic aristocrat and wealthy merchant ship owner led one of the Norse expeditions to Vinland , located in what is now Atlantic Canada . He is usually referred to by his nickname, Karlsefni, meaning “the makings of a man.” Karlsefni appears in several historical sources. A long passage in The Saga of the Greenlanders is devoted to him, and he is the chief subject of The Saga of Erik the Red . There are also short accounts in the Old Norse manuscripts known as the Arni Magnusson codex 770b and Vellum codex No. 192.

Statue of Thorfinn Karlsefni by Icelandic sculptor Einar Jónsson in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo taken in 2009. (Courtesy Michael W Murphy/flickr CC)

Note on Abbreviations

In this article, The Saga of the Greenlanders ( Grœnlendinga saga in Old Norse) is abbreviated to GS . The Saga of Erik the Red ( Eiríks saga rauða in Old Norse) is abbreviated to ES .

Early Life and Career

Little is known about Karlsefni’s early years except that he belonged to a wealthy family descended from several kings, among them Olaf the White of Dublin and his wife, Aud the Deep-Minded. Karlsefni’s father was named Thord Horsehead. Although the sagas don’t completely agree on the details, the family is likely to have owned a large estate called Reynisnes, located in Skagafjord in northern Iceland. Karlsefni is generally considered to have been born around 980 CE, but at least one scholar of the Icelandic sagas has made the case that he was born closer to 995.

In adulthood, Karlsefni acquired a share in an ocean-going trading ship and began trading goods between Iceland and Norway. 

Increasing his trading sphere to Greenland , Karlsefni arrived at Erik the Red ’s settlement, Brattahlid, with his business partner, Snorri Thorbrandsson, and a crew of 40 manning a ship full of goods. He spent the winter with Erik and became enamoured with Erik’s widowed daughter-in-law, Gudrid, a native of Iceland noted for her knowledge and beauty. He obtained permission to marry her from Erik, according to ES , but from Erik’s son Leif according to GS . The wedding took place at Brattahlid, probably sometime after the year 1010.

In Greenland, there was much talk about the great resources of Vinland, the “Land of Wine” on the east coast of North America. Leif Eriksson had explored it, and Karlsefni was encouraged to go. From this point on in the sagas, there are two versions of what happened.

Statue of Leif Eriksson in Qassiarsuk, Greenland, the site of Brattahlid during Norse colonization. Photo taken in 2011. (Courtesy claire rowland/flickr CC).

Conflicting Stories

In GS , Karlsefni’s Vinland expedition is just one of four separate trips. However, ES combines the four expeditions into one large journey led by Karlsefni. The ES journey consists of three ships and a crew of 140, including Leif’s siblings Thorvald and Freydis (who in GS led their own expeditions). The role of Leif Eriksson, otherwise acknowledged as the first non- Indigenous person to explore and name the area he called Vinland, is reduced. In a short passage, Leif is storm-driven to Vinland and reports its resources: self-sown wheat , grapes , lumber and burl wood, which the Norse prized for its intricate ring patterns.

There is little doubt that GS is the more trustworthy of the two sources. The change in the story from one saga to the other appears to owe to an attempt, around 1200, to have Karlsefni and Gudrid’s great-grandson, Bishop Björn Gílsson, declared a saint. Glorious ancestors such as these Vinland-farers were needed to support the canonization, so their role was magnified. 

Exploration of Vinland

Aside from their conflicting accounts of the number of expeditions and who led them, the two sagas describe mostly the same events. In both sources, Karlsefni and Gudrid spend three summers in Vinland, arriving during the first and leaving during the third. Their son Snorri is born in Vinland — the first person of European descent born on North American soil.

In GS , Karlsefni uses Leifsbúðir , Leif’s Camp, as his base. Leif emphasizes that Karlsefni can use it, but that it remains Leif’s property. In ES , however, Karlsefni assumes much of Leif’s role as explorer of Vinland. Karlsefni’s story also describes areas to the north, Markland and Helluland, in terms that echo those attributed to Leif in GS . A fine difference is that while GS clearly states that Leif is the one who bestows these names, ES subtly avoids attributing them to Karlsefni or Leif. One sign that others had come before Karlsefni’s expedition is that he and his crew observe a ship’s keel on a headland, the same keel described in GS as having been placed by a previous expedition. 

In ES , Karlsefni establishes his own base somewhere not too far south of Markland. He calls it Straumfjord (Fjord of Currents) after the strong currents around an island at the mouth of the fjord . Some scholars have argued that the Norse base discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland is Straumfjord.

After the first winter, the company of the expedition divides into two exploration groups. One goes north and the other, consisting of 40 men led by Karlsefni, heads south. After a long time, they arrive at a place where there are wide sandbars at the mouth of a river that make it impossible to enter the river except at high tide . They set up camp on the shore of this lagoon and call the place Hóp (Tidal Lagoon). It is an abundant landscape, with fields of self-sown wheat in the low-lying areas, and grapes growing in copses of trees. Every stream has many fish , and the Norsemen catch halibut in tidal pools ( see also  Flatfish ). There are plenty of animals in the forest .

Hóp did not become a real settlement, only a summer base, and the Hauk’s Book version of ES says that Karlsefni spent only two summer months there with his 40 men while the rest of the party remained at Straumfjord.

Encounters with Indigenous People

The sagas’ stories about Karlsefni are notable for their vivid descriptions of meetings with the Indigenous inhabitants of the land, whom the Norse termed Skrælings (likely a derogatory name). They could have been ancestors of the  Mi’kmaq , the  Beothuk , the  Innu or other East Coast Indigenous peoples.

The first encounter is peaceful. The Indigenous people arrive in hide-covered canoes and come ashore. Each party is as astonished as the other. They return a second time, carrying packs of fine furs. A trade begins, the Norse offering milk or red cloth in return for the pelts. Soon a fight breaks out, and people are killed on both sides. Karlsefni recognizes that despite everything the land has to offer, the Norse would constantly fear an attack from the people who already live there. They return to Straumfjord, where they spend the winter .

At winter’s end, they begin preparations for the return to Greenland and arrive in Eriksfjord with a valuable load of grapes, wood and furs. On the way, they capture two Indigenous boys from a party of five people they encounter in Markland. These children are later baptized and taught the Norse language in Greenland.

Karlsefni and Gudrid spend the next winter with Erik the Red, and finally return to Iceland the following summer to settle at his family estate, Reynisnes.

Did you know? The Norse divided the year into two seasons, winter and summer. Winter began around October 14 and summer began around April 14. A person’s age was measured in winters. The further division of the year into months was based on activities such as harvesting, butchering and sowing. The Norse expressed times of the day with facts (e.g., míðdegi , mid-day) or defined them by meals (e.g., dagmál , day-meal). Telling time involved reading local solar and lunar positions and was not precise.

Family and Later Life

Karlsefni’s family was prominent in Iceland. The Saga of Erik the Red says that his mother considered Gudrid too low in social status to marry to her son. Gudrid was not even allowed on the family estate the first winter of their return to Iceland. As Karlsefni’s mother got to know Gudrid, she changed her mind, and the two became fast friends.

Karlsefni and Gudrid’s sons, Snorri and Thorbjorn, have a long line of prominent descendants, among them several important bishops and the abbess of a nunnery founded in 1295 on the family estate. Their descendants also include Law Speaker Hauk Erlendsson (c. 1264–1334), who served as the highest elected official of Icelandic parliament. Hauk compiled and partially copied out the Hauk’s Book version of ES by hand. He may even have made additions based on family oral history . A genealogical list added to the end of the saga traces the family to Hauk himself.

The sagas say little of Karlsefni’s later life. A brief passage in GS does, however, touch on his trading business following the Vinland expedition. Karslefni and Gudrid sail to Norway with their valuable cargo, and a German pays a mark of gold for a wooden decoration made from Vinland burl wood.

After Karlsefni’s death, the management of the family estate fell to Gudrid and Snorri.

Significance

Few personal details are known about Karlsefni, but his family background and wealth made him a person of influence. During Karlsefni’s first winter in Greenland, when Erik the Red ran out of provisions and beer for a Yuletide ( Christmas ) celebration befitting a chieftain, Karlsefni offered him everything needed from the supplies he brought. The gesture increased Karlsefni’s influence and contributed to the reputation on which his authority rested.

His successful expedition to Vinland added to his fame. Although he shared both his ship and trading ventures with a partner, fellow Icelander Snorri Thorbrandsson, Karlsefni is more renowned, probably because of the later significance of his family.

Karlsefni and Gudrid’s son Snorri was the first person of European descent born in North America.

• Norse voyages
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• colonization
• exploration

Further Reading

Gwyn Jones,  The Norse Atlantic Saga: Being the Norse Voyages of Discovery and Settlement to Iceland, Greenland, and North America , Oxford University Press (1986). 

The Vinland Sagas: The Icelandic Sagas about the First Documented Voyages across the North Atlantic: The Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red’s Saga , translated by Keneva Kunz with an introduction and notes by Gísli Sigurðsson (2008).

External Links

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History: Where is Vinland?

The Norse in the North Atlantic

Learn about early Viking voyages to North America on this website from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Recommended

Icelandic canadians, exploration, norse voyages, leif eriksson, erik the red, l’anse aux meadows, colonization.

The Vikings: A Memorable Visit to America

The Icelandic house of what is likely the first European-American baby has scholars rethinking the Norse sagas

Eugene Linden

Roughly 1,000 years ago, the story goes, a Viking trader and adventurer named Thorfinn Karlsefni set off from the west coast of Greenland with three ships and a band of Norse to explore a newly discovered land that promised fabulous riches. Following the route that had been pioneered some seven years before by Leif Eriksson, Thorfinn sailed up Greenland’s coast, traversed the Davis Strait and turned south past Baffin Island to Newfoundland—and perhaps beyond. Snorri, the son of Thorfinn and his wife, Gudrid, is thought to be the first European baby born in North America.

Thorfinn and his band found their promised riches—game, fish, timber and pasture—and also encountered Native Americans, whom they denigrated as skraelings , or “wretched people.” Little wonder, then, that relations with the Natives steadily deteriorated. About three years after starting out, Thorfinn—along with his family and surviving crew—abandoned the North American settlement, perhaps in a hail of arrows. (Archaeologists have found arrowheads with the remains of buried Norse explorers.) After sailing to Greenland and then Norway, Thorfinn and his family settled in Iceland, Thorfinn’s childhood home.

Just where the family ended up in Iceland has been a mystery that historians and archaeologists have long tried to clear up. In September 2002, archaeologist John Steinberg of the University of California at Los Angeles announced that he had uncovered the remains of a turf mansion in Iceland that he believes is the house where Thorfinn, Gudrid and Snorri lived out their days. Other scholars say his claim is plausible, although even Steinberg admits, “We’ll never know for sure unless someone finds a name on the door.”

The location of Thorfinn’s family estate in Iceland has surprisingly broad implications. For one thing, it could shed new light on the early Norse experience in North America, first substantiated by Helge Ingstad, an explorer, and his wife, Anne Stine Ingstad, an archaeologist. In 1960, they discovered the remains of a Viking encampment in Newfoundland dating to the year 1000. But the only accounts of how and why Vikings journeyed to the New World, not to mention what became of them, are in Icelandic sagas, centuries-old tales that have traditionally vexed scholars struggling to separate Viking fantasy from Viking fact. Steinberg’s find, if proved, would give credence to one saga over another.

By Steinberg’s admission, he found the imposing longhouse— on the grounds of one of northern Iceland’s most visited cultural sites, the GlaumbaerFolkMuseum—“by dumb luck.” For decades, visitors had gazed upon the field in front of the museum, unaware that evidence of one of the grandest longhouses of the Viking era lay just beneath the grass.

Steinberg did not start out trying to insert himself into a debate about Viking lore, but to survey settlement patterns during Viking times. With his colleague Doug Bolender of NorthwesternUniversity in Chicago, he had developed a method for using an electrical conductivity meter to detect buried artifacts. The tool—a cumbersome, 50-pound apparatus usually used to identify contaminated groundwater and locate pipes—sends alternating current into the ground. The current induces a magnetic field, and the tool then measures how the magnetic field varies according to the makeup of the soil and the objects buried in it. The two men fitted the electronic equipment into a 12-foot-long plastic tube and trekked around fields holding the apparatus by their sides, looking for all the world like slowmotion pole vaulters getting ready to vault.

The two first worked with Icelandic archaeologist Gud- mundur Olafsson, who was excavating the site of Erik the Red’s farmstead in western Iceland and had identified it as the place from which some of the explorers of the New World first set out. There, Steinberg and Bolender charted magnetic anomalies—possible signatures of buried walls and floors of turf houses. Then, Steinberg says, “Gudmundur would draw upon his knowledge of ancient Norse houses to imagine possible configurations underground so that we could refine the search.” By the end of 2000, Steinberg and Bolender could survey a field as quickly as they could walk.

An 18-person team they put together then settled on Skagafjord, on the north coast of Iceland, as the most promising place to conduct their studies. The area is dotted with rills, rivers and thousand-year-old fields green from the abundant rain and long, soft sunlight of summer days in the Far North. The territory was ideally suited to their technology, layered as it is with known volcanic deposits that coincide with important historical events, enabling the archaeologists to get a good fix on the ages of objects they found. “See, the soil reads like a book,” Steinberg says, standing in a trench on a farm near Glaumbaer that was the site of northern Iceland’s most powerful estate during Viking times. He points to a green layer that marks a volcanic eruption in 871, a blue layer from one in 1000 and a thick, yellow layer from yet another in 1104.

In the summer of 2001, Steinberg and his colleagues scanned the low fields in Glaumbaer. The work proceeded uneventfully until late August, when the team was about to pack up and leave. (“You always find the most important things in the last week of a field season,” says Steinberg.) When two undergraduates probing spots that showed low conductivity in earlier scans pulled up their first plug of earth, they looked in the hole and saw a layer of turf—consistent with a turf house—below a yellow layer that marked the eruption of MountHekla in 1104.

Excited, Steinberg returned in 2002 to dig a series of trenches. By the end of that season, the team had uncovered parts of what appeared to be an extensive longhouse, 100 feet by 25 1/2 feet. By the end of 2004, the team had plotted the direction and length of one of the walls. The house was so large that it evidently belonged to someone with wealth and power. But who?

All the detail about Norse trips to Vinland (as the Norse called North America) comes from two accounts: The Saga of Erik the Red and The Saga of the Greenlanders . These epic Viking tales were probably first written down around 1200 or 1300 by scribes who either recorded the oral stories of elders or worked from some now-lost written source, says Thor Hjaltalin, an Icelandic scholar who oversees archaeological activities in northwest Iceland. The two sagas give similar accounts of Thorfinn’s trip to the New World, but they differ on some significant details about his return to Iceland. In Erik the Red’s saga, Thorfinn moves back to his family estate in Reynisnes, while in the Greenlanders’ saga, Thor-finn settles down in Glaumbaer, after his mother proves less than welcoming to his wife. In a key passage from the Greenlanders’ saga, Thor-finn sells some of his Vinland spoils in Norway, then comes to “north Iceland, in Skagafjord, where he had his ship drawn ashore for the winter. In the spring he purchased the land at Glaumbaer and established his farm there.” It goes on: “He and his wife, Gudrid, had a great number of descendants, and a fine clan they were. . . . After [Thorfinn’s] death, Gudrid took over the running of the household, together with her son Snorri who had been born in Vinland.”

Apart from the grand scale of the longhouse, which ties it to someone of Thorfinn’s stature, other evidence links it to the North American expedition, Steinberg claims. Its straight-walled design differs from the bowed-wall construction typical of Icelandic longhouses of the era, and it bears a strong resemblance to structures that have been uncovered in L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. And finally, Steinberg says, it’s unlikely that any other chief could build one of the grandest longhouses of the Viking era and not be mentioned either in the sagas or other sources.

Before Steinberg’s find, conventional wisdom held that Erik the Red’s version was more credible and that the reference to Glaumbaer in the Greenlanders’ saga was merely a flourish, added years after most of the saga was written, to improve Gudrid’s image and perhaps that of a Glaumbaer chief. There are still many points of dispute about which Norse did what and where in North America, but if Steinberg’s find is indeed Thorfinn’s house, the long-discounted Greenlanders’ saga, which names Thorfinn as a primary source, becomes the more accurate version—at least on the matter of where Thorfinn and company ended up. So after he found the longhouse, Steinberg called Olafsson—who had identified Erik the Red’s farmstead as a jumping-off place for the New World—and blurted, “I think I’ve found the other end of your story.”

Vikings spread out from Scandinavia and settled in Iceland, which Steinberg describes as “one of the world’s last large inhabitable islands to be inhabited,” in 874. They were led by local chiefs who did not like taking orders from, or paying taxes to, Harald Finehair, a Norse king then consolidating power in Norway. As the celebrated Norwegian anthropologist Vilhemmer Stefansson wrote in 1930, the Viking expansion was perhaps “the only large scale migration in history where the nobility moved out and the peasantry stayed home.”

At first, Iceland offered a paradise to these ruggedly independent Vikings. The lowlands had forests of birch and other trees that had never felt the ax. In just 60 years the population jumped from zero to 70,000. By 930, the Norse had established one of the world’s first parliaments, the Althing , where chiefs met to settle disputes.

There was just one sore point to this idyllic life. Settled and organized though they might have been, the Vikings were also some of the toughest warriors who ever lived. A slighted Norse was not the type to turn the other cheek. The resulting bloody duels reverberated far beyond Iceland. As Stefansson put it in 1930, writing during Prohibition, “The eventual discovery of North America hangs upon a fashionable practice of the day, that of man-killing, which, like cocktail shaking in the later America, was against the law but was indulged by the best people.” He was referring to a few unreconstructed manslayers like Erik the Red, who overtaxed even the Norse tolerance for conflict and was exiled more than once by his fellow chiefs. Erik was first forced to relocate to Iceland’s west coast and was then banished from the island altogether.

According to the sagas, Erik eventually set up a farmstead on the west coast of Greenland. The incongruous name for this barren, frigid island dominated by a vast ice cap comes from the outcast’s attempt to lure other settlers, demonstrating “a genius for advertising that made him prophetically American,” Stefansson wrote. Erik heard tales of strange lands to the west from a Norse sailor blown off course en route to Greenland, and it was his son Leif who led the first expedition to the New World. Another was led by Erik’s son Thorvald (who died in Vinland from an arrow wound). Thorfinn Karlsefni led a third.

Thorfinn’s assumed lineage is distinguished: one ancestor was Aud the Deepminded, a queen from the British Isles, and another was Ugarval, a king of Ireland. Thorfinn had grown up in Iceland on a farm not far from Glaumbaer. A wealthy merchant notorious for his cleverness, Thorfinn was also a good leader. On a trading voyage to Greenland, he met and married Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir, the beautiful and charismatic widow of Erik’s son Thorvald. (A history of Iceland written around 1120, as well as scattered church records, back up the genealogies and dates in the sagas.) During the winter of 1005 at Brattahlid, Erik’s manor in Greenland’s eastern colony, Thorfinn played board games and planned his trip to Vinland. Erik the Red’s saga makes the planning sound boisterous and somewhat haphazard, noting that various other Norse chiefs decided to join the expedition seemingly on the spur of the moment.

While Leif Eriksson is the Viking name most familiar to Americans, the sagas devote as much space to Thorfinn and his voyage. Steinberg’s discovery supports a long-held theory that Thorfinn was the principal teller of the sagas. (That would explain why he plays such a major role in them.) Steinberg notes that knowing the source of a text helps historians weigh the assertions.

Whoever their author was, the stories have challenged scholars to match the place names mentioned in them to real topography. For example, Thorfinn called two crucial places where he and his group camped in the New World Straumfjord (stream fiord) and Hop (lagoon) and described the first as having strong currents. Scholars have variously located Straumfjord, where Snorri was born, in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts; Long Island Sound; the Bay of Fundy; and L’Anse auxMeadows (the Norse site discovered by Helge and Anne Ingstad on the northern tip of Newfoundland). Different advocates have placed Hop near New York City, Boston and points north.

If in fact Thorfinn and company traveled as far south as Gowanus Bay in New York Harbor, as asserted by the British scholar Geoffrey Gathorne-Hardy in 1921, they would have sailed past some of the greatest stands of primeval hardwoods on the planet, not to mention grapes—treasured by Norse chiefs who cemented their status with feasts accompanied by copious amounts of wine—and unlimited fish and game.

Why would the Norse have abandoned them or similar inducements farther north? Perhaps the Vikings’ Vinland was like Alexander the Great’s India: a land of fabulous wealth so far from home that it was beyond the limits of his ability to impose his will. Both Norse sagas have Thorfinn beating a retreat north after some humbling battles with Native warriors. (See “Why Didn’t They Stay?”)

Thorfinn never went back to Vinland, but other Norse subsequently did. Evidence continues to accumulate that Norse traded with both Inuit and more southern tribes for skins, and that they regularly brought back wood and other items from the New World. Over the years, various accounts have placed Norse colonies in Maine, Rhode Island and elsewhere on the AtlanticCoast, but the only unambiguous Norse settlement in North America remains L’Anse aux Meadows.

Icelanders, for their part, need no persuading of the Viking’s preeminence among Europeans in the New World. Asked who discovered America, 8-year-old Kristin Bjarnadottir, a third grader in Holar, Iceland, answers with complete confidence: “Leifur,” naming the celebrated Viking explorer. She and other Icelandic kids often play a game called Great Adventurer, in which they take on the roles of the saga heroes. Steinberg’s ongoing investigation of the turf house in Glaumbaer and other structures could well give Kristin and her friends rich new exploits of their Viking ancestors to act out.

Freydis: Heroine or Murderer?

Viking scholars have long debated the veracity of the Icelandic sagas. Are they literature or history, or both? The two conflicting versions of Freydis Eriksdottir, who was Erik the Red's daughter and the half sister of Leif Eriksson and who traveled to North America 1,000 years ago, are a case in point.

In Erik the Red's saga, Freydis and her husband Thorvard accompany Thorfinn Karlsefni and Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir on their journey to the New World. When Natives attack their small colony, the Norse men run off. But a pregnant Freydis stands her ground, shouting: "Why do you flee from such pitiful wretches, brave men like you? . . . If I had weapons, I am sure I could fight better than any of you." She snatches up a sword from a fallen Norseman and exposes a breast (presumably to indicate that she's a woman), frightening off the attackers. When the danger had passed, Thorfinn came over to her and praised her courage.

But in the Greenlanders' saga, Freydis is a murderer. Freydis and her husband do not travel with Thorfinn and Gudrid, but instead undertake an expedition with two Icelanders, known as Finnbogi and Helgi. When they arrive in Straumfjord (thought by some scholars to be the site in Newfoundland known as L'Anse aux Meadows), they quarrel over who will live in the longhouses Leif Eriksson has left behind. Freydis wins, rousing the Icelanders' resentment. After a hard winter in which the two camps become more estranged, Freydis demands that the Icelanders hand over their larger ship for the journey home. She goads her husband and followers into murdering all the male Icelanders. When no one will kill the five women in the Icelanders' camp, she takes up an ax and dispatches them herself. Back in Greenland, word of the incident seeps out. "Afterwards no one thought anything but ill of her and her husband," concludes the story of Freydis' expedition.

Was Freydis a heroine? Or a homicidal maniac? Archaeologist Birgitta Linderoth Wallace, who directed much of the excavation of L'Anse aux Meadows, doesn't know for sure. "We try to sort out what's fact and fiction," she says. "We can't presume the saga writers knew the difference. What we do know is the writers were often anonymous.and male. They were Christian priests. Freydis was a pagan, while Gudrid was Christian. Gudrid's descendants were bishops and had an interest in making her appear as holy as possible and Freydis as bad as possible, for contrast." Wallace says the murder of the Icelanders is hard to believe. "Something bad happened," she says. "But can you imagine killing 35 Icelanders without all their relatives coming over to take revenge?"

Why Didn’t They Stay?

The Viking presence in North America had dwindled to nothing long before Columbus began island hopping in the Caribbean. Why did the Norse fail where other Europeans succeeded? After all, Vikings were consummate seamen and peerless raiders who populated marginally inhabitable Greenland and who would push their way into the British Isles and France. And with their iron weapons and tools, they had a technological edge over America's indigenous peoples.

Several explanations have been advanced for the Vikings' abandonment of North America. Perhaps there were too few of them to sustain a settlement. Or they may have been forced out by American Indians. While the European conquest was abetted by infectious diseases that spread from the invaders to the Natives, who succumbed in great numbers because they had no acquired immunity, early Icelanders may not have carried similar infections.

But more and more scholars focus on climate change as the reason the Vikings couldn.t make a go of it in the New World. The scholars suggest that the western Atlantic suddenly turned too cold even for Vikings. The great sailing trips of Leif and Thorfinn took place in the first half of the 11th century, during a climatic period in the North Atlantic called the Medieval Warming, a time of long, warm summers and scarce sea ice. Beginning in the 12th century, however, the weather started to deteriorate with the first  frissons  of what scholars call the Little Ice Age. Tom McGovern, an archaeologist at Hunter College in New York City, has spent more than 20 years reconstructing the demise of a Norse settlement on Greenland. In the middle of the 14th century, the colony suffered eight harsh winters in a row, culminating, in 1355, in what may have been the worst in a century. McGovern says the Norse ate their livestock and dogs before turning to whatever else they could find in their final winter there. The settlers might have survived if they had mimicked the Inuit, who hunted ringed seal in the winter and prospered during the Little Ice Age.

With sea ice making the routes from Iceland to Greenland and back impassable for Norse ships for much of the year, the Little Ice Age probably curtailed further Norse traffic to North America. Iceland also fared badly during this time. By 1703, weather-related food shortages and epidemics of plague and smallpox had reduced Iceland's population to 53,000, from more than 150,000 in 1250.

It’s worth pondering how the history of the West might have differed if the weather had remained balmy. Norse populations in Iceland and Greenland might have flourished, and the Vikings might have remained in North America. If the temperature had been a few degrees higher, some of North America might be speaking Norse today.

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Who was Thorfinn Karlsefni and What is He Famous For?

A celebrated Norse explorer, he is believed to have been one of the first Europeans to set foot on North American soil. This is the story of Thorfinn Karlsefni and his wife Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir.

A wealthy trader descended from European royalty, Thorfinn Karlsefni Thórdarson is famed for leading an 11th century Norse expedition to the New World.

The story of this intrepid explorer, sometimes known as Thors Karlsefni, would not be written for hundreds of years. It was only in the 13th century Greenland Sagas and The Saga of Erik the Red that it was finally described, along with five other expeditions to North America.

This is common with Viking history of the time, when very little was written down contemporaneously. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the disparity of time makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction or even to determine the veracity of differing accounts of the same stories. With that said, here is the tale of Thorfinn Karlsefni.

Thors Karlsefni - The Early Years

Leif Erikson Exploring Greenland (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images)

Thors Karlsefni is believed to have been born in Iceland in circa 980 AD. Named Thorfinn Thórdarson, it is unclear as to when or how he gained the byname “Karlsefni”, which has been translated variously as ‘the makings of a man’, and ‘a promising boy’.

In terms of his background, Thorfinn Thórdarson is said to have come from a wealthy family who owned large tracts of land in the north of the country. Legend has it he was descended from royalty, including Olaf the White of Dublin and his wife, Aud the Deep-Minded.

According to the Greenland Sagas, as a young adult he bought a share of a merchant ship and began trading goods between Iceland and Norway. He settled in Greenland where he met and married Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir sometime around 1002. Gudrid had her own aristocratic connections as the widow of the youngest son of Erik the Red. The couple’s first son, Snorri, is thought to be the first European baby born on North American soil.

At the time, Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson had returned to Greenland with tales of the great treasures of Vinland. This was the viking name for the only known Norse or viking site on the North American continent. Now known as L’Anse aux Meadows, it is located on the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland.

Encouraged by his wife, Thors decided to go in search of his own fortune. And thus began the Thorfinn Vinland Saga.

The Greenland Sagas - Tales of an Extraordinary Journey

Engraving of Thorfinn Karlsefni, and his wife from 1902 (Photo: Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)

There is some disparity between the Saga of the Greenlanders and The Saga of Erik the Red in their accounts of the journey of Thorfinn Karlsefni and Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir. The Greenland Sagas say he took two ships, 60 men and five women. And it is believed he followed the route of Leif Erikson.

As much as can be ascertained, that route took them up the west coast of Greenland, across the Labrador Sea and, after traversing the Davis Strait, the ships turned south until they reached landfall in Newfoundland, or as it was known then, Vinland.

During their time in Vinland, they are said to have encountered one or more groups of indigenous people. And it is fighting between the Norse and these groups that is attributed as the reason they left three years after their arrival. They returned, first to Greenland and then to Iceland.

Thorfinn Karlsefni - The Later Years

Glaumber Viking Farm, alleged home of Thorfinn Karlsefni (Photo: Print Collector via Getty Images)

Viking historians and archaeologists are split on where the family lived in Iceland. Indeed, as with his early life, very little is written of Thorfinn Karlsefni’s later years. The Greenland Sagas say that he bought land at Glaumbaer in the far north of the country and continued trading goods to Norway.

Icelandic Parliament (Photo: Gem E Piper via Getty Images)

The story of Thorfinn Karlsefni and his wife Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir is a fascinating one of adventure and exploration, their legacy an enduring one. Their sons, Snorri and Thorbjorn had a long line of historically important descendents. Among them were bishops, the abbess of a convent and 13th century lawspeaker and knight of Norway, Hauk Erlandson, who served as the highest elected official in the Icelandic parliament.

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A Complete Timeline of Thorfinn's Life in Vinland Saga

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War arc (chapters 1–54; episodes 1–24), slave arc (chapters 55–99; episodes 25–48), slave arc, eastern expedition arc (chapter 100–166), vinland arc (chapter 167–ongoing ).

Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga is among the best ongoing seinen manga, with Thorfinn Karlsefni proving to be a nuanced protagonist with a rewarding character arc. He ranks alongside Berserk 's Guts and Vagabond 's Musashi for compelling seinen leads, and like his contemporaries, Thorfinn learned joy and sorrow in spades.

Vinland Saga is an inspired historical fiction and drama taking cues from the hero's real-world counterpart, with Yukimura penning his character arc in in-depth phases to match each storyline. And still, his journey isn't over yet. Between his violent wake-up call to the cruelties of war, his years living as a vengeful mercenary, and his noble expedition to North America, Thorfinn's life throughout Vinland Saga has been incredibly eventful.

Thorfinn Was a Carefree Boy Until His Father's Murder

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Vinland Saga 's Thorfinn Karsefni is a seinen manga hero whose life involved a great deal of suffering and punishment before molding himself into the compassionate man he is now. At the beginning of the series, readers are given a "prologue" storyline briefly chronicling his life as a young boy living in a quaint farming village in Iceland. Thorfinn was mostly happy and carefree, ironically taking part in mock battles with aspirations to become a powerful warrior, almost bored of the peaceful rural life. At this point, he was unaware of his father, Thors' past as a top-class soldier in the Jomsvikings — an elite Viking band that operated with far more military organization than the average raiding outfits and served at the chief's command.

Thors used to be a mostly emotionless, calculating warrior who cut through countless opponents without a second thought. He was easily one of the strongest characters depicted in Vinland Saga , flashbacks or otherwise. However, it eventually wore Thors down mentally — especially when he married the chief's daughter and Thorfinn's mother, Helga. She brought him back down to earth to rediscover his humanity, leading to the young family fleeing the Jomsvikings and living a quiet life in Iceland. Unfortunately, Thors' past would return to haunt him and Thorfinn when the Jomsviking commander Floki found him and ordered him to rejoin the force.

Though he begrudgingly obeyed the order for the village's safety, Floki secretly hired the Viking Askeladd and his violent band of mercenaries to assassinate Thors once he and a small group set sail. It was a staged murder as revenge for Thors' desertion years earlier. Young Thorfinn secretly stowed away on his father's boat in hopes of joining his supposed Viking adventure, only to cruelly watch him murdered in front of him. Earlier in the story, Thors told his son one of the manga's most powerful quotes: "You have no enemies." This became Vinland Saga 's ethos. It was meant to dissuade Thorfinn from glamorizing a life of violence, but they wouldn't immediately resonate with the boy. After his father's death, one of the bleakest eras in Thorfinn's life would begin.

Thorfinn's Teenage Years Were Spent as a Ruthless Mercenary

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Seeing the Viking leader Askeladd as the source of his suffering, Thorfinn swears a life of vengeance. He would not rest until his father was avenged by killing Askeladd himself. Ironically, Thorfinn spent the next 11 years of his life "working" for the Viking in his mercenary band until the vengeful boy was strong enough to defeat him in a duel. This comprised the bulk of Wit Studio's season 1 adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's manga , seeing Thorfinn and Askeladd fight and raid across England. Thorfinn grew impressively stronger and more agile but became increasingly numb and cold to the horrors of war he took part in.

This eventually led to Thorfinn and Askeladd crossing swords with Thorkell "The Tall," a close friend and ally of Thors during their days with the Jomsvikings years ago. The behemoth of a warrior sided with the English against the invading Danes thinking it would be more entertaining, but these characters grew into an unlikely alliance. Thorfinn, Askeladd, and Thorkell joined forces to help Prince Canute eventually usurp his father King Sweyn, as the latter planned to kill his son.

But when King Sweyn announced his plan to invade Wales — Askeladd's homeland — Askeladd broke and killed the king, leading to his immediate assassination and death in Thorfinn's arms. The latter seemed hopelessly lost and furious, as he lost the single vengeful purpose he lived his life for. After this shocking turn of events, another punishing period of Thorfinn's life would begin.

Thorfinn's Life as a Slave Began His Redemption

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Though it was King Canute's way of saving Thorfinn from an execution order on the spot, the latter would live the next few years of his life in slavery. It marked another major turning point in his character arc, as he grew into a mellow yet hollow husk of a man without purpose. Thorfinn showed little to no emotion and spent many nights haunted by the nightmares of the people he killed as a Viking mercenary. His growth and redemption finally began when he met and befriended Einar, who had also been sold into slavery on the same farm owned by Ketil. Over time, Thorfinn and Einar bond, with the former beginning to heal from his trauma and starting down a path of peace.

On top of Einar, Thorfinn befriends several characters on Ketil's farm, including the bodyguard Snake, Ketil's elderly father, and Arnheid — Ketil's maid and concubine. More violence and chaos plague them, though, as Arnheid's enslaved husband escapes and tries to run away with her. Tensions rise as Thorfinn and Einar clash with Snake over how to deal with this, with things getting darker and more complicated when Ketil returns from a failed meeting with King Canute in a rage.

Ketil beats Arnheid to near death after learning of her attempted escape, with the latter tragically succumbing to her wounds. Meanwhile, King Canute's army looms and prepares to take over the farm. Devastated, Thorfinn and Einar vow to build a peaceful world without war or slavery where people like Arnheid can live the fulfilling lives they deserve. It's the most crushing arc in Vinland Saga , and last year's second season of the anime did justice to this storyline .

Thorfinn and Einar Gathered a Group to Fulfill Their Dream of Vinland

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For all the sorrow that Thorfinn and Einar's time as slaves on Ketil's farm brought, they would use this as the bedrock for their bold mission. This also leads to one of the most thematically hopeful storylines in Vinland Saga . Before leaving the farm with Leif Ericson — a family friend of Thorfinn's and effectively his surrogate father — Thorfinn would meet now-King Canute for the first time since Sweyn and Askeladd's deaths. In one of the tensest and then oddly humorous negotiations, Thorfinn showed Canute incredible resolve and ultimately came to the agreement they'd allow themselves to go their separate ways to achieve their goals.

Thorfinn and Canute had opposite approaches but acknowledged they were after the same endgame: a peaceful world free from war and strife. After living a bloody life throughout his teenage years, Thorfinn resolved to achieve this by being as pacifistic as possible. Meanwhile, King Canute decided he was willing to delve into darker moral grays to eventually reach a more idealistic world. With Leif's help, Thorfinn and Einar set off to gather supplies and return to Iceland. This was the first time in many years Thorfinn had seen his family, which led to a heartfelt reunion with his mother Helga and sister Ylva.

Thorfinn's visit was short, as the group needed to set sail again to put their plan to create a peaceful settlement on Vinland in motion. Thorfinn would gather new allies, including the runaway Gudrid trying to escape an arranged marriage. Eventually, the two fall in love and marry, adopting the infant war orphan Karli as their son. Another key member was the strong and stoic hunter Hild, a young woman scarred by the murder of her family in Norway years ago in a Viking invasion. Shockingly, it's revealed that Thorfinn killed her father during his teenage years in Askeladd's mercenary outfit. Mortified by his actions, Hild would spend much of their travels together watching Thorfinn like a hawk while the latter seeks further redemption.

Thorfinn's New Settlement is Peaceful, But Tensions Arise

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The Vinland Arc begins the final act of the Vinland Saga manga. After some trials and tribulations along their travels, Thorfinn and his group reach the land Leif and Thors spoke of when the Leif was a child. With newfound resources from traveling across Scandinavia and the wider European region, the group builds an impressive and peaceful settlement in North America. The settlement required no weapons and its people successfully cultivated wheat. This arc also spawned one of Makoto Yukimura's most beautiful panels in Vinland Saga , showing Hild forgiving Thorfinn and acknowledging him as a true warrior, thus completing Thorfinn's redemption. Later, they even created a peaceful relationship with the First Nations people called the Mi'kmaq.

Tensions would still arise, however, between Thorfinn's settlers and the First Nations people. Access to resources for both peoples becomes more complicated and the diseases the Scandinavians unknowingly brought to Vinland force the Mi'kmaq into a struggle. Conflicts would spark between the two groups, again putting the idealistic Thorfinn in a difficult position. To salvage whatever peace remained and prevent further strife among the land's native people, Thorfinn began to consider leaving before war broke out.

The situation is deeply complex, showcasing how compelling Vinland Saga is as a historical drama. Thorfinn's quest is one of the most well-earned and gratifying in the manga and anime adaptation so far. Yukimura's odyssey has continually raised expectations since its debut in the mid-'00s, with many fans eager to see where — and how — Thorfinn and his people's journey ends.

Vinland Saga

Thorfinn pursues a journey with his father's killer in order to take revenge and end his life in a duel as an honorable warrior and pay his father an homage.

• How Do We Know?
• Viking Life
• L'Anse aux Meadows
• Where is Vinland?
• Other Mysteries
• Interpretations
• Introduction
• Decoding the Saga Evidence
• The Saga of the Greenlanders
• Erik the Red's Saga
• Other Written Clues
• Can the Sagas be Trusted
• Is Vinland Here?

Rhode Island / Massachusetts

New Brunswick

• Cast of Characters

Erik Thorvaldsson, "Erik the Red"

Thjodhild Jorundardaughter

Leif Eriksson, "Leif the Lucky"

Thorsten Eriksson

Thorvald Eriksson

Freydis Eriksdaughter and her husband Thorvard

Thorfinn Thordarson, "Karlsefni"

Gudrid Thorbjarnardaughter

Snorri Thorfinnsson

Snorri Thorbrandsson

Bjarni Grimolfsson and Thorhall Gamlason

Bjarni Herjolfsson

Helgi and Finnbogi

Thorhall the Hunter

Vethild, Ovaegi, Avaldamon and Valdidida

Thorfinn Thordarson Karlsefni in "The Saga of the Greenlanders"

That same summer a ship from Norway arrived in Greenland. The skipper of the ship was named Thorfinn Karlsefni. He was the son of Thord Horse-head, the son of Snorri Thordarson of Hofdi.

Thorfinn Karlsefni was a very wealthy man. He spent the winter with Leif Eiriksson in Brattahlid. He was soon attracted by Gudrid and asked her to marry him, but she referred him to Leif for an answer. She was then engaged to him and their wedding took place that winter.

The discussion of a voyage to Vinland continued as before, and people strongly urged Karlsefni to make the journey, Gudrid among them.[...]

To return to Karlsefni, he made his ship ready and set sail. They had a good passage and made land in Norway safely. He remained there over the winter, sold his goods, and both he and his wife were treated lavishly by the leading men in Norway. The following spring he made his ship ready to sail to Iceland.

When he was ready to sail and the ship lay at the landing stage awaiting a favourable wind, he was approached by a southerner, from Bremen in Saxony. He asked Karlsefni to sell him the carved decoration on the prow.*

'I don't care to sell it,' he replied.

'I'll give you half a mark of gold for it,' the southerner said.

Karlsefni thought this a good offer and the purchase was concluded. The southerner then took the decoration and departed. Karlsefni did not know of what wood it was made, but it was of maple which had been brought from Vinland.

Karlsefni then put to sea and made land in north Iceland, in Skagafjord, where he had his ship drawn ashore for the winter. In the spring he purchased the land at Glaumbaer and established his farm there, where he lived for the remainder of his days. He was the most respected of men. He and his wife, Gudrid, had a great number of descendants, and a fine clan they were. [...]Bjorn, another son of

Karlsefni and Gudrid, was the father of Thorunn, the mother of Bishop Bjorn.

There are a great number of people descended from Karlsefni, who founded a prosperous clan. It was Karlsefni who gave the most extensive reports of anyone of all of these voyages, some of which have now been set down in writing.

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• Becoming a Historian

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Source: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

THORFINNR karlsefni THORDARSON , first European to attempt to found a settlement on the American mainland; fl. 1000–20.

Thorfinnr was a wealthy Icelandic merchant who had made many merchant voyages before going to Greenland shortly after the year 1000 a.d. There he married Gudridr, the widow of Thorsteinn, the son of Eirikr Thorvaldsson (Eric the Red). Some time between the years 1003 and 1015 Thorfinnr led an expedition to colonize Vinland. The course he followed and the location of his settlement have elicited much speculation, as is the case with the voyage of Leifr heppni Eiriksson. The most detailed account of Thorfinnr’s venture is found in the Saga of Eric the Red , but it is vague enough to have given rise to widely divergent views. There is no agreement among scholars, but a tentative and not unconvincing case may be made for the following itinerary.

Thorfinnr and about 160 men and women left the Eastern Settlement of Greenland and sailed first to the Western Settlement. Then with a north wind at their back they reached Helluland (Baffin Island) in two days. Again a north wind carried them in two days to Markland (northern Labrador). The expedition coasted southward for a long time until they came to a ness (headland), to which they gave the name Kjalarnes (Keelness, possibly Cape Whittle) because they found the keel of a vessel there. The land lay upon the starboard and they sailed along its long strands and sandy banks, which they named Furdustrandir (Wonder Strands, possibly the south coast of Labrador).

The land then became indented with bays. They sailed into one where the current was very strong; to it they gave the name Straumfjord (Bay of Strong Currents, possibly Baie des Sept-Îles) and to an island at its mouth, literally covered with birds and their nests, the name Straumey. Here they wintered and were hard pressed, for the weather proved severe and they had taken no steps to lay in provisions.

Part of the expedition now left to return to Greenland, while Thorfinnr and the rest proceeded southward to find Vinland. They came to a landlocked bay, which they called Hop. Here, according to different versions of the saga, they spent either about two months or (more likely) a year. They found self-sown wheat growing on low-lying ground and vines or grapes on higher ground. There was an abundance of fish and many animals of all kinds in the woods. The winter was mild with no snow and plenty of forage for the cattle. Hop is difficult to identify because of the discrepant accounts in the saga, but the description would fit Cape Cod.

At Hop the expedition first met the indigenous people of the country whom they called Skrælingjar (possibly meaning “small,” “withered”). According to the Icelanders’ description, they were “swarthy” and “ill-countenanced,” with “large eyes” and “broad cheeks.” At first, relations with them were friendly and the Icelanders bartered gaudy cloth for skins to their great profit, but a bull frightened the Skrælings and they fled. However, they returned in three weeks and battled with the Icelanders, who were saved by Freydis, the daughter of Eirikr Thorvaldsson (Eric the Red). It is impossible, though many attempts have been made, to determine with certainty whether the Skrælings were First Nations or (more likely) Inuit.

Discouraged, it seems, by the hostility of the indigenous people, Thorfinnr returned to Straumfjord. He then sailed northward along Furdustrandir, rounded Keelness and continued westward with very heavily wooded land on the larboard, until he reached a river flowing from east to west. Here Thorvaldr, the brother of Leifr Eiriksson, had been killed by a one-legged man ( einfatingr ; some regard this word as a scribal error for innfadingr , or “native”) on his expedition ( c . 1003–4). Having explored the country to some extent and finding it unattractive and the inhabitants unfriendly, Thorfinnr returned to Straumfjord and wintered there. In the spring the whole expedition, including the three-year-old son of Thorfinnr, Snorri , who was born at Straumfjord, returned to Greenland, ending the first – and what proved to be the only – attempt of the Icelanders in Greenland to settle on the North American continent. Thorfinnr, with his wife and son, soon returned to Iceland and resumed residence there.

The Saga of the Greenlanders includes a very brief account of Thorfinnr’s expedition. It gives no names to localities, but describes the region where Thorfinnr settled in the same terms as the Saga of Eric uses of Hop. It also describes rather differently some details of the encounters with the Skrælings. In the 1960s a team of archeologists excavated the remains of a Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows (Newfoundland), dating it to the 11th century.

T. J. Oleson

See the works cited under Bjarni Herjólfsson and Leifr heppni Eiriksson [Appendix]. Also Oleson, Early Voyages , 24–25, 33.

Revisions based on: Parks Canada, “L’Anse aux Meadows national historic site”: www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows (consulted 14 May 2020).

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• Ketil's Farm
• Jomsvikings
• Vinland Expedition Crew

I have no enemies, none at all. — Thorfinn

Thorfinn  ( トルフィン   Torufin ? ) Thorsson , also nicknamed Karlsefni , is the main protagonist of Vinland Saga . He is a former warrior of Askeladd 's band as well as a former slave on Ketil ’s farm who earned his freedom. Afterwards he became a trader and adventurer attempting to settle in Vinland .

He was born in Iceland as the only son of Helga and the late Thors Snorresson , the most famous Jomsviking warrior until his defection. He is also the younger brother to Ylva and is related to the leadership of the Jomsvikings through his mother, who is daughter of the third Chief, Sigvaldi .

He spent more than a decade attempting to take revenge on Askeladd, the man who killed his father, even following him into battle to stay close to him, and grew cold and merciless, killing countless people. After he attacked Canute in a moment of shock and rage for killing Askeladd, the death of whom was Thorfinn's goal for most of his life, Thorfinn was enslaved as a punishment. Four years later he gained his freedom and changed his life.

He vowed to make good of his life and create peace and a land free of slavery in Vinland, which he heard from Leif Ericson ’s tales as a child. After leaving Ketil’s farm with a new friend, Einar , he then journeyed to Greece in order to get money to be able to make the trip to Vinland, and after three years he had enough money and people to finally make his journey to Vinland. He created and founded the Arnheid Village on Vinland.

• 1 Appearance
• 2 Personality
• 3.1 Background
• 3.2.1 Flashback
• 3.2.2 Present
• 3.3 Slave Arc
• 3.4 Eastern Expedition Arc
• 3.5 Vinland Arc
• 4.1.1 Thors
• 4.1.2 Helga
• 4.1.4 Gudrid
• 4.1.5 Karli
• 4.1.6 Thorkell
• 4.2.1 Einar
• 4.2.2 Leif Ericson
• 4.2.3 Bug-Eyes
• 4.3.1 Askeladd
• 4.3.2 Canute
• 4.3.3 Sigurd
• 5 Abilities
• 6.1 Battles
• 6.2.1 Thorfinn Versus Askeladd
• 6.2.2 Thorfinn versus Thorkell
• 7.1 Manga Appearances
• 7.2 Anime Appearances
• 10 References

Thorfinn's appearance is consistent throughout the story. He has bushy hair, old clothes and two knives. He is also short, as stated by multiple characters in the story.

When Thorfinn was a child, he had a happier face, round with bright, curious eyes, and well-kept hair.

He has a somewhat slight build that belies his strength.

Thorfinn's entire body is littered with scars, most of which were caused by blades. His face remains unmarred until he gains several obvious scars on his face in adulthood, mostly because he refuses to fight with weapons and tries his best to defend himself and neutralize his opponents without causing any lasting harm.

In 1015, an apathetic Thorfinn does not budge when one of Ketil's guests, Fox, goes at him with a sword to try to make him fear for his life, slicing off the tip of his left ear. In 1018, when him and Snake are fighting over Arnheid’s husband, Gardar, he slashes Thorfinn's face with his blade, resulting in a long scar starting at his right temple, extending across his right cheek and ending at his jaw, next to his chin.

In May 1019, Thorfinn gets another piece of his left ear cut off when Garm slashes him with his spear. In June 1021, Thorfinn returns to Iceland from Greece with a scar across the bridge of his nose and above his cheek.

Before setting off to Vinland, he started slicking his hair back, which he still does while in Vinland at 27 years old.

Personality

When the series begins, Thorfinn is shown as an innocent and friendly boy who is searching for adventure. He shared a very good relationship with his family and enjoyed stories told by Leif about his adventures. He has a good relationship with his father and looked up to him immensely, shown when he decides to follow Thors by sneaking on his boat to follow him. This would become the foundation of Thorfinn's drive to avenge his father.

However, by the time he joins Askeladd's band, he is a cold-blooded individual, hellbent on his goal to avenge his father. He becomes aloof toward others, unmoved by and uninterested in what they do or thinks of him, choosing instead to keep to himself. This is seen when Thorfinn ignores the invitations from his fellow Vikings to join in on the fun and his refusing to eat dinner with the rest of them.

His flaws lie in his temper and impulsive nature. This is seen when he ignores Askeladd's input despite the benefits it may be able to bring him, which leads to him losing fights against Askeladd. Frequently throughout the series, Thorfinn's reckless nature leads to his own suffering and failure. Even if he does possess talent far beyond the norm for his age, his hot-headedness is easily his biggest weakness. This weakness also unfolds with an inability to learn from mistakes, and several times, Thorfinn has hallucinations with his late father, asking him if this is really the right way to go, and he just ignores it all. This is probably a metaphor to show that the difference between the old Thorfinn and the current one is not much big, and inside his iron fortress, he is just a wrong-headed boy.

He also showed a great lack of empathy, as he did not seem to care when Askeladd's gang murdered civilians and raped women, he just walked away with disgust. Although he sometimes told his possible victims to run when he was not in the mood to kill them, but he didn't really care anyway.

However, Askeladd's death caused him to lose his purpose and become an empty shell after being sold as a slave. During that time, Thorfinn became totally depressed, melancholy, stoic and unwilling to live, living a deplorable life being mistreated by his merchants, with none of the exuberance of his childhood, the pride and belligerence of his adolescence, or even the will to stand up for himself. Fortunately, he began to regain his will and courage with the help of Einar , Snake and Sverkel , who helped him to realize that he is still capable of a meaningful life.

Thorfinn slowly begins to recover and then takes on a more kind and pacifist attitude. He seems to have become more like Thors and seeks to become a merchant to become a better person and forget his dark past as a murderer. His time as a slave also appears to have affected his behavior. For a while, he refrained from fighting and always tried to resolve the situations in the conversation, but even then this attitude backfired several times, and so he saw that sometimes it was necessary to use force to resolve conflicts. He also seems to have few social skills and doesn't seem to know much about the female body, as seen when after adopting Karli, he tells Gudrid to breastfeed Karli, not knowing that she would need to be pregnant for this to be possible.

Thorfinn has also become more empathic with people who have suffered the consequences of war suffering multiple attacks to their villages, he felt horrible when he found out that he alongside Askeladd's crew attacked and murdered Hild 's family, giving her all the right to kill him to avenge her family, even being prepared to be killed by her. He is very protective with those he cares about. When he involuntarily gets involved in the Baltic war due to his lineage and thus becoming the target of many claimants to become the leader of the jomsvikings, Thorfinn forces his friends, with the exception of Hild, to leave and stay away.

Thorfinn was born in Iceland in the winter of 996, where his family had fled after Thors decided to abandon his warrior lifestyle, and by virtue the Jomsvikings as well. He grew up not knowing about his father's past as a warrior, or his connection to the Jomsvikings.

Thorfinn declares to Askeladd that he will kill him.

He lived with his family and was a happy, lively boy. He played with the children in the village especially in mock combat with a wooden sword and shield, even though he was always one of the first to lose. One day Floki , and his Jomsviking crew, come to Iceland to get aid from his father, Thors. When his father was going out to a battle, Thorfinn hid in a barrel on his father's ship. A mercenary called Askeladd , who was hired by Floki to take down Thors, came and dueled Thorfinn's father. Thors took down half of Askeladd's men, including his second in command, and then the two faced off. Thors won the battle, but in exchange for Thorfinn's life, he was killed by many arrows from Askeladd's men. After his father died, Thorfinn vowed to seek vengeance for his father, by becoming one of Askeladd's men in order to kill him in a duel, so he can avenge his father's death in a fair battle.

Thorfinn says “what’s so fun about war?!” after his fight with Thorkell.

Thorfinn then spent the next 11 years going to war with Askeladd’s band in England. He became a very strong warrior, killing a great deal of men in order to get a duel from Askeladd, in order to kill him. He became numb to these horrible acts that he witnessed daily, and became cold and distant of others, never so much as smiling. He still said that warriors are all madmen to himself after he fights Thorkell . He helps escort Prince Canute to Askeladd, after the prince had been taken prisoner by Thorkell, and left in a burning forest with his retainer, Ragnar . This was part of Askeladd’s plan to take Canute back to the king and get favor, and Thorfinn went along with his plan as usual.

Canute would then accompany Askeladd’s band until his own band decided to revolt against Askeladd, and kill him, after thinking that they were too weak to defeat Thorkell, who was chasing them down across all of England the whole time. Thorkell was right on their heels, and immediately caught up to them when they stopped in order to kill Askeladd. The entire band was slaughtered by Askeladd, or Thorkell, who killed anyone who left Askeladd’s band in order to join himself, as he saw them as weak and didn’t want weak men in his group. Askeladd then became a retainer to Canute, and so Thorfinn joined The Princes personal Guard in order to stay close to Askeladd.

Thorfinn watches Askeladd die.

After King Sweyn announces an invasion of Wales, Askeladd murders the king, deciding to save both Canute and Wales. Canute then stabs Askeladd as part of Askeladd’s plan after he slaughters dozens in the banquet hall. Askeladd then dies in Thorfinn’s hands, who rushed in after hearing noise from outside, where he was waiting. Canute then offers Thorfinn the chance to go wherever he wanted, even back home to Iceland, but Thorfinn was shocked and dumbfounded by this revelation, and instead he slashed Canute in retaliation on instinct, only managing to cut his cheek. As punishment for attacking the Prince, he is sold as a slave, as Canute didn’t want to have anyone else killed.

Thorfinn has now mellowed out and become empty and emotionless after being sold as a slave to Ketil , a landowner in Denmark, as he now has no purpose in life after Askeladd died. He is constantly haunted by nightmares of the many people he has killed, but never remembers what happens at the end of the nightmares, and he always wakes up screaming in agony, sweating profusely.

Thorfinn meets Einar for the first time.

After being on Ketil’s Farm for over a year, he finds a friend in Einar , another slave Ketil buys to help on his farm. Einar doesn’t like Thorfinn’s lack of enthusiasm or energy initially, and calls him lazy. After an incident with Olmar and Fox , where fox tries to get Olmar to kill Thorfinn and Einar, the two started to get closer. One day after Thorfinn wakes up screaming, Einar says he was screaming about “Askeladd” and “father”. Later that day, Thorfinn told Einar about Askeladd, and Einar then realizes that this was the reason Thorfinn had no energy, he had no ambition after his only goal in life, to kill Askeladd, was taken from him. He was completely empty. The next day, when Thorfinn and Einar are going back to their wheat farm, they discover some workers have destroyed all their crops. Einar becomes enraged. They approach the workers, but once they say that slaves couldn’t grow good wheat anyway, and Thorfinn gets furious and punches one of the men, knocking him out. Einar then starts to fight them, and Thorfinn tries to stop him but as he does, he gets distracted and gets hit on the head with some wood by one of the other men, and loses consciousness. He sees images of a woman who cared for him when he was younger-when he invaded East Anglia, and his father Thors. This is where he remembers the nightmares where he is haunted by all the people he has killed. After awakening from the nightmare, he starts crying asking for forgiveness from Einar and the people he has killed, and so claims he will never hurt another person again. Over the next couple of years, Thorfinn continues to grow as a person, becoming kind and empathetic towards others, and finding meaning in life for himself and the others around him. He attempts to find the “first resort” in every situation, but sometimes this is greatly difficult.

Thorfinn makes friends with other people around the farm, such as Snake , one of Ketil’s guests and guards along with Sverkel , Ketil’s elderly father and Arnheid , Ketil’s personal maid and concubine. Snake lounges around in Sverkel’s house a lot of the time, and the two seem close but pretend they don’t like each other. Sverkel lends Thorfinn and Einar a horse in exchange for helping around his house, as he seems to have taken a liking to the two. After years helping each other, they have gotten very close. One day, Snake notices that Sverkel has still not come home even though it’s dinner time, and Snake along with Thorfinn and Einar find him collapsed in his field. He is forced to stop farming, as he can no longer walk, and Ketil sends Arnheid to help Sverkel now. Snake keeps on staying around Sverkel’s house as well.

Thorfinn takes the last resort and fights Snake to protect Gardar.

Soon after, Arnheid’s husband, Gardar escapes from another farm close by and tries finding Arnheid in Ketil’s farm, Thorfinn tries to help Arnheid and Gardar by letting them both escape, but Snake doesn’t want that to happen. Thorfinn fights with the decision of having to fight Snake with a vision of Askeladd, and ultimately starts a fight with Snake. During their fight, Thorfinn trips over a rock and leaves Snake next to Gardar, and Snake then stabs him through the chest. Gardar choked out Snaked, but stopped from killing him due to Arnheid, who told him they should leave, which they did, and Gardar died in the carriage they sat in. Arnheid was tied up and left in a barn as punishment, and when a disgraced Ketil returned from his meeting with Canute in Denmark and he found out that Arnheid tried to escape, he beat her with a stick. She tried to say she was pregnant with his child but he didn’t listen and continued. He beat Arnheid so badly that she ultimately succumbed to her injuries, to the horror of Thorfinn and especially Einar. Thorfinn and Einar both agree over Arnheid’s grave to journey to Vinland together and create a life of peace, away from violence and slavery, for people like Arnheid. They also call each other brothers.

Meanwhile, Canute makes preparations to attack Ketil’s Farm to take his land, and Thorfinn initially is going to escape with Einar, Leif and Bug-Eyes , but decides that he can’t just abandon Snake and Sverkel and let them die after they took care of them and helped them out. Thorfinn goes to Canute in order to try and negotiate, but Drott refuses to let him see the King. Thorfinn gets them to agree that he can see the king if he withstands 100 hits from Drott, which he ultimately does, despite being incredibly beaten and bruised. Once he gets to speak to Canute he simply asks him to leave the Farm alone, but Canute refuses. Thorfinn says he has no other than to run away then, to which Canute bursts out in laughter. He says that it was the funniest negotiation he had ever been apart of, and decides to leave soon after, because as he says later on to himself on his ship, they have the same goals.

Thorfinn apologized to his mother.

After saying farewell to Snake, Sverkel, Olmar and the rest of Ketil’s farm, other than Ketil himself, Thorfinn leaves with Einar, Leif and Bug-Eyes. Leif suggest they should make a stop in Iceland to see Thorfinn’s mother, Helga , and sister, Ylva , after all this time away from them. Thorfinn and friends arrive in Iceland, and Thorfinn struggled to remember how many years he’s been gone. He’s worried about seeing his mother and sister after so many years. They meet his sister, Ylva, first, but she doesn’t even recognize Thorfinn anymore. They go to meet his mother, Helga, next and when she opens the door and sees Thorfinn, she immediately recognizes him and says he has eyes just like his father, and starts crying. Thorfinn then takes her hand and says he’s so sorry for everything and for being a terrible son. They then go inside and spend the evening and night there. Helga welcomes Einar as a son, as he is Thorfinn’s brother now. Ari , who is now Ylva’s husband, comes back and remembers Thorfinn from back when he lived there, and welcomed him. Then Ylva came back home, but yet again doesn’t recognize him or believe he is her brother. Then Helga tells her that is really is their Thorfinn, and then starts to beat Thorfinn in comical anger, before being held back by Ari.

Eastern Expedition Arc

Vinland Arc

Relationships

Leif ericson.

No he is the real thing, for sure. A fighter that agile is rare to come across.... — -- Garm

Overall Abilities: Thorfinn grew up on the battlefield, having experienced over countless battles and raids following his father's death since the age of six. As such, he has a wealth of fighting experience. He quickly grew into a highly skilled warrior capable of swiftly killing warriors at least twice his age during his years with Askeladd's band. His fighting style plays focus on striking vital points instead of clashing with blades directly, he developed a nimble style that emphasizes speed after losing his knives and letting go of his thirst for killing. Thorfinn's strength is recognized by some of the greatest amongst both the vikings and mercenaries such as his great-uncle Thorkell the Tall, stating he was capable of becoming the next head of the Jomsvikings.

Expert Close Quarters Combatant : Thorfinn is a highly skilled combatant. He can wield daggers and swords with great lethality and is shown to be incredibly skilled in martial arts. His combat skills have been acknowledged by other powerful fighters like Snake, Garm, and most notably Thorkell, the strongest Viking warrior of his time.

Dual Wielding: Thorfinn's fighting style emphasizes speed combined with the dual wielding of two knives, one of which was formerly owned by his father. By targeting his opponents' weak points and taking advantage of his speed, he could typically finish off an opponent swiftly while avoiding their attacks.

Knife Throwing: Thorfinn is also able to effectively use throwing knives, although they are not his primary weapons.

Enhanced Durability: Although he doesn't usually engage in unarmed combat, Thorfinn knows how to take solid hits if given the chance to prepare for them. This ability appears when he withstands 100 blows from Drott to earn the right to speak to Canute. However, when set upon by Ylva in a rage, he was completely unprepared and was knocked out.

Enhanced Agility: Thorfinn's agility is amongst the fastest in the series, he is capable of evading a platoon of soldiers within seconds on a battlefield, as well as scale a wall of a fortress, including jumping over a moat. In combat, he can use his agility to strike from an angle where he may finish his opponent and to find his balance quickly after taking a hit or dodging.

Enhanced Speed and Reflexes: Thorfinn's speed is regarded as his primary asset in combat. During the invasion of London, he earned Thorkell's praise despite losing to him in combat. His reflexes have enabled him to dodge and react to surprises attacks such as Snake's drawing attack. Although, he was not able to dodge Garm's spear. Despite Garm proving faster than Thorfinn as well as wounding him, Thorfinn was nonetheless able to dodge his movements with his eyes. At Jomsburg, he was able to cover a distance of several meters before his pursuers could notice he had run away from them. A testament to Thorfinn's reflexes is shown when he was acknowledged by Garm as being the only fighter he has met to dodge his spear so quickly.

Enhanced Strength : Thanks to years of manual labor as a slave on a farm, Thorfinn achieved an explosive increase in strength when he reached adulthood. With this new skill acquired, he was able to throw a man away with just one punch and break the bones of a Jomsviking even though he was wearing armor and Thorfinn was a little weaker. Other feats include breaking a sword with his knee.

Battles & Duels

• Many unnamed Viking raids while in Askeladd’s band.
• The invasion of East Anglia , England, in 1008 at age twelve.
• Frankish fortress battle in 1012 at age sixteen.
• The battle at London Bridge in 1013.
• The battle at Jomsborg in 1019 when he was twenty-three years old.

Thorfinn Versus Askeladd

Thorfinn and Askeladd dueled on multiple occasions. However, due to the older warrior's decades of fighting experience and to Thorfinn being blinded by rage, Askeladd bested him everh time.

Thorfinn versus Thorkell

Thorfinn and Thorkell dueled two separate times.

Appearances

Manga appearances.

• Chapter 1 - Normanni (Debut)
• Chapter 2 - Somewhere Not Here
• Chapter 3 - Beyond the Edge of the Sea
• Chapter 4 - Unbreakable Chains
• Chapter 5 - Troll
• Chapter 6 - Messenger from the Battlefield
• Chapter 7 - Sword
• Chapter 8 - The Journey Begins
• Chapter 9 - A Trap in Distant Seas
• Chapter 10 - Night Wake
• Chapter 11 - Cage
• Chapter 12 - More Than a Monster
• Chapter 13 - Smell
• Chapter 14 - The Sword of Thors
• Chapter 15 - A True Warrior
• Chapter 16 - The Death of Thors
• Chapter 17 - England, 1008 A.D.
• Chapter 18 - England, 1013 A.D.
• Chapter 19 - The Battle of London Bridge
• Chapter 20 - Ragnarok
• Chapter 21 - Valhalla
• Chapter 22 - The Troll's Son
• Chapter 24 - The Land on the Far Bank
• Chapter 25 - Bluff
• Chapter 26 - Artorius
• Chapter 28 - Night Attack
• Chapter 29 - Father and Son
• Chapter 30 - Master and Servant at the Table
• Chapter 31 - History of Beasts
• Chapter 32 - Defectors
• Chapter 33 - Betrayal
• Chapter 34 - Avalon
• Chapter 35 - Contact
• Chapter 36 - Two on the Battlefield
• Chapter 37 - The Definition of Love
• Chapter 39 - The King Awakens
• Chapter 40 - The Legend of Thors
• Chapter 41 - United Front
• Chapter 42 - Verdict
• Chapter 43 - The Prince Returns
• Chapter 44 - The Curse of the Crown
• Chapter 45 - His Last Friend
• Chapter 46 - Two Lone Wolves
• Chapter 47 - The Hero is Gone
• Chapter 48 - Reunion
• Chapter 49 - Karlsefni
• Chapter 50 - Plot
• Chapter 51 - Miscalculation
• Chapter 52 - The Hero Returns
• Chapter 53 - The Fury of Britannia's King
• Chapter 54 - End of the Prologue
• Chapter 55 - Slave
• Chapter 56 - Ketil's Farm
• Chapter 57 - Young Master
• Chapter 58 - The Men You're Allowed to Kill
• Chapter 59 - Snake
• Chapter 60 - His First Friend
• Chapter 63 - I Need a Horse
• Chapter 64 - I Need a Horse, Part II
• Chapter 65 - At the Old Master's House
• Chapter 66 - Budding
• Chapter 68 - An Empty Man
• Chapter 69 - Provocation
• Chapter 70 - The Dream
• Chapter 71 - Oath
• Chapter 73 - When You're Free
• Chapter 74 - Escaped Slave
• Chapter 79 - Portents of Storm Clouds
• Chapter 80 - Gardar's Assault
• Chapter 81 - Storm
• Chapter 83 - Atonement
• Chapter 84 - A Convenient Dream
• Chapter 85 - Confrontation
• Chapter 86 - No Going Home
• Chapter 87 - The First Move
• Chapter 88 - Punishment
• Chapter 89 - The Eve of the Battle
• Chapter 91 - The Battle of Ketil Farm
• Chapter 92 - Hundred-count
• Chapter 93 - Birth of a Warrior
• Chapter 94 - Recommendation of Surrender
• Chapter 95 - Forgotten Things
• Chapter 96 - Invincible
• Chapter 97 - Emperor of Rebellion
• Chapter 98 - Two Paradises
• Chapter 99 - Departure
• Chapter 100 - Homecoming
• Chapter 101 - The Fettered Tern (1)
• Chapter 102 - The Fettered Tern (2)
• Chapter 103 - The Fettered Tern (3)
• Chapter 104 - The Fettered Tern (4)
• Chapter 105 - The Fettered Tern (5)
• Chapter 106 - The Fettered Tern (6)
• Chapter 107 - The Fettered Tern (7)
• Chapter 108 - The Fettered Tern (8)
• Chapter 109 - The Liberated Tern
• Chapter 110 - Crossing the North Sea
• Chapter 111 - From Warrior to Warrior
• Chapter 112 - Obligatory Violence
• Chapter 113 - Troublemakers
• Chapter 114 - The Hunter and the Hunted (1)
• Chapter 115 - The Hunter and the Hunted (2)
• Chapter 116 - The Hunter and the Hunted (3)
• Chapter 117 - The Hunter and the Hunted (4)
• Chapter 118 - The Hunter and the Hunted (5) (Flashback)
• Chapter 119 - The Hunter and the Hunted (6) (Flashback)
• Chapter 120 - The Hunter and the Hunted (7) (Flashback)
• Chapter 121 - The Hunter and the Hunted (8)
• Chapter 122 - The Hunter and the Hunted (9)
• Chapter 123 - A Borrowed Life
• Chapter 124 - Departing Norway
• Chapter 125 - War in the Baltic (1)
• Chapter 126 - War in the Baltic (2)
• Chapter 127 - War in the Baltic (3)
• Chapter 128 - War in the Baltic (4)
• Chapter 129 - War in the Baltic (5)
• Chapter 131 - War in the Baltic (7)
• Chapter 132 - War in the Baltic (8)
• Chapter 133 - War in the Baltic (9)
• Chapter 134 - War in the Baltic (10)
• Chapter 135 - War in the Baltic (11)
• Chapter 136 - War in the Baltic (12)
• Chapter 138 - War in the Baltic (14)
• Chapter 139 - War in the Baltic (15)
• Chapter 140 - War in the Baltic (16)
• Chapter 143 - War in the Baltic (19)
• Chapter 144 - War in the Baltic (20)
• Chapter 145 - War in the Baltic (21)
• Chapter 146 - War in the Baltic (22)
• Chapter 147 - War in the Baltic (23)
• Chapter 148 - War in the Baltic (24)
• Chapter 149 - War in the Baltic (25)
• Chapter 150 - War in the Baltic (26)
• Chapter 151 - War in the Baltic (27)
• Chapter 152 - War in the Baltic (28)
• Chapter 153 - War in the Baltic (29)
• Chapter 155 - War in the Baltic (31)
• Chapter 156 - War in the Baltic (32)
• Chapter 158 - War in the Baltic (34)
• Chapter 159 - War in the Baltic (35)
• Chapter 160 - War in the Baltic (36)
• Chapter 161 - Sigurd's Decision
• Chapter 165 - The Parting of Sigurd
• Chapter 166 - Wedding
• Chapter 167 - Voyage to the West (1)
• Chapter 168 - Voyage to the West (2)
• Chapter 169 - Voyage to the West (3)
• Chapter 170 - Voyage to the West (4)
• Chapter 171 - Voyage to the West (5)
• Chapter 172 - Voyage to the West (6)
• Chapter 173 - Voyage to the West (7)
• Chapter 174 - Voyage to the West (8)
• Chapter 175 - Voyage to the West (9)
• Chapter 176 - Voyage to the West (10)
• Chapter 177 - Voyage to the West (11)
• Chapter 178 - Voyage to the West (12)
• Chapter 179 - Voyage to the West (13)
• Chapter 180 - Voyage to the West (14)
• Chapter 181 - The Name of the Village Is…
• Chapter 182 - The Most Frightening Man
• Chapter 183 - Natives
• Chapter 184 - Lnu
• Chapter 185 - Niskawaji'j's Dream
• Chapter 186 - Cordelia's Anguish
• Chapter 187 - Niskawaji'j's Expedition
• Chapter 188 - Hild and the God of the Forest
• Chapter 190 - The Ragnarok Dialogue
• Chapter 191 - The Day Arrives
• Chapter 192 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 1
• Chapter 193 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 2
• Chapter 194 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 3
• Chapter 195 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 4
• Chapter 197 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 6
• Chapter 198 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 7
• Chapter 199 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 8
• Chapter 200 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 9
• Chapter 202 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 11
• Chapter 203 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 12
• Chapter 204 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 13
• Chapter 205 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 14
• Chapter 206 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 15
• Chapter 207 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 16
• Chapter 210 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 19
• Chapter 212 - Thousand Year Voyage Part 21

Anime Appearances

• Episode 1 - Somewhere Not Here (Debut)
• Episode 2 - Sword
• Episode 3 - Troll
• Episode 4 - A True Warrior
• Episode 5 - The Troll's Son
• Episode 6 - The Journey Begins
• Episode 7 - Normanni
• Episode 8 - Beyond the Edge of the Sea
• Episode 9 - The Battle of London Bridge
• Episode 10 - Ragnarok
• Episode 11 - A Gamble
• Episode 12 - The Land on the Far Bank
• Episode 13 - Child of a Hero
• Episode 14 - The Light of Dawn
• Episode 15 - After Yule
• Episode 16 - History of Beasts
• Episode 17 - Servant
• Episode 18 - Out of the Cradle
• Episode 19 - United Front
• Episode 20 - Crown
• Episode 21 - Reunion
• Episode 22 - Lone Wolf
• Episode 23 - Miscalculation
• Episode 24 - End of the Prologue
• Episode 25 - Slave
• Episode 26 - Ketil's Farm
• Episode 27 - Snake
• Episode 28 - Awakening
• Episode 30 - We Need a Horse
• Episode 31 - Iron Fist Ketil
• Episode 32 - An Empty Man
• Episode 33 - Oath
• Episode 34 - The Cursed Head
• Episode 36 - For Lost Love
• Episode 37 - Dark Clouds
• Episode 38 - Freedom
• Episode 39 - Storm
• Episode 40 - Great Purpose
• Episode 41 - The Road Home
• Episode 42 - The First Method
• Episode 43 - The Battle of Ketil's Farm
• Episode 44 - Pain
• Episode 45 - Courage
• Episode 46 - The King of Rebellion
• Episode 47 - Two Paths
• Episode 48 - Home
• As a character, Thorfinn is loosely based on the real life Icelandic explorer, Thorfinn "Karlsefni" Thórdarson . An explorer associated with Leif Erickson, he was the first European to attempt to establish a colony in North America, unlike Leif who simply discovered/explored it. Like this story's Thorfinn, he also got the nickname "Karlsefni".
• According to Yukimura, Thorfinn is also inspired by the King of Norway Olaf Tryggvason , who lost his position as a king and became a slave, but managed to reacquire kingship. This ambitious leader who first had to experience hardship to understand kindness thus parallels Thorfinn's own journey. [5]
• After multiple fans asked about Thorfinn's birthday on Twitter in 2021, Yukimura replied that he did not give characters such as Thorfinn and Canute canonical birthdays, as they are based on historical people whose exact birth dates are not known. [6] On 03 February 2021, he shared that his Thorfinn's birthday is now February 3rd. [1]
• He's been the first and only one who was capable of hurting Thorkell , cutting two fingers of his right hand and his left eye.
• In the storyboard for Chapter 1 (July 03, 2004), Yukimura initially had Thorfinn sporting a falcon feather behind his right ear. The feather would have been from Leif 's headdress, as he had mentioned only real warriors wore them. Ultimately, Yukimura decided the symbolism would have been redundant with Thorfinn's dagger, a memento of Thors and of his status as a warrior. Furthermore, a feather would not have been of any use to Thorfinn in combat and he soon would've lost it. As having him wear Leif's whole headdress to prevent that issue would've resulted in a rather silly character design, Yukimura shelved the idea — a decision he doesn't regret. [7]

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yukimura confirms Thorfinn's birthday on Twitter
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 VS Official Guidebook , p. 20 (Ages as of Chapters 3 and 54, birth month, height and weight as of Chapters 3, 54 and 99)
• ↑ Vinland Saga Manga: Chapter 101 , page 12, Thorfinn is 22 in 1018.
• ↑ Yukimura confirms Gudrid's birthday and age as of Volume 27 on Twitter, also confirming Thorfinn’s age
• ↑ Twin Engine interview
• ↑ Yukimura on why Thorfinn did not originally have a birthday
• ↑ VS Official Guidebook, p. 258

• Did You Know?
• Quote Pictures
• History Pictures

In the first decade of the 11th century, several Nordic adventurers were said to have led expeditions to North America. Leif Eiriksson was reportedly the first of these explorers to set foot in the New World, setting up his camp somewhere on the southeastern Canadian coast, presumably in the vicinity of Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. Leif was lucky in picking the location of his camp, for he was apparently far enough away from native settlements to preclude any aggression from the locals. Instead, Leif Eiriksson gathered exotic North American merchandise in peace, and then set sail back to Greenland to sell his wares and tell tales about his adventure. Other adventurers who followed Leif Eiriksson’s stead in the early 11th century had less luck avoiding the natives of North America. Among these later adventurers was Thorfinn Karlsefni , leader of one of the more ambitious expeditions to the land that Leif called Vinland .

From the loose timeline that can be formed from Icelandic sagas and folkloric tradition, the expedition of Thorfinn Karlsefni can be dated to around 1003-1006 or 1007-1009. As the story goes, Thorfinn and his new wife, Gudrid, led a large group of people to the New World, hoping to start a settlement or trading hub. In the  Saga of the Greenlanders , sixty-five people were said to have signed up for Thorfinn’s expedition.  Eirik the Red’s Saga , however, claimed that Thorfinn Karlsefni’s crew was only the leading piece of a larger effort, with the total number of settlers being 140 people divided between three ships.

Stocked with supplies and some livestock, Thorfinn Karlsefni and the expedition members set sail for North America. Wind and waves did little to hamper the sailors as they made their way to the New World, and the crews soon found themselves sailing along the coast of the vast lands that Leif had enthusiastically described. Thorfinn Karlsefni decided to make his camp at a spot dominated by grassy fields, which eventually gave way to deer-filled forests, crisscrossed by streams full of fish. The site, with its access to resources from the plains, forests and water, was a perfect location for settlement—as such, the region was already settled by the North American natives, and these locals were curious and concerned about the new foreign presence sailing up to their shore.

After observing the Nordic settlers for a time, the natives eventually made contact. Arriving by boat or on foot, bands of natives peacefully approached Thorfinn Karlsefni’s settlement. Although there was a language barrier, the two peoples were able to create a limited level of communication through hand signals and other means. Using diligent pointing and gesturing, the natives and settlers began bartering. According to the sagas, the natives often brought animal pelts, which the Greenlanders took in exchange for dairy products and cloth.

Milk and its derivative products were allegedly a great hit with the locals near Thorfinn’s settlement. Yet, despite enjoying the byproducts of the settlers’ livestock, the natives reportedly found the actual animals brought by the Greenlanders to be incredibly bizarre and frightening. In particular, an ornery bull belonging to Thorfinn Karlsefni was said to have been the thing of nightmares for native traders who saw it. Thorfinn and the settlers made note of that fear, and their perceptiveness would be helpful when the good relations between natives and foreigners inevitably broke down.

Why the settlers and the natives began fighting varies from tale to tale. In the  Saga of the Greenlanders,  hostilities erupted after one of the native traders was killed in a bartering dispute.  Eirik the Red’s Saga , in contrast,   curiously placed blame on the ill-tempered bull, saying that the beast so frightened and outraged the natives that they rallied an army and attacked the settlement to rid the world of the horned devil and its owners.

According to the  Saga of the Greenlanders , the bull would play a pivotal role in the battle. Knowing that the natives feared the creature, Thorfinn Karlsefni reportedly had the bull dragged into battle. As the story goes, he lured the native forces into a natural bottleneck, with water on one side and dense forest on the other. When the native force advanced through this carefully chosen narrow corridor, Thorfinn prodded the bull forward and sent it charging against the army of locals. As much of the cloth traded to the natives by the settlers had been red, the previous bartering perhaps made the bull’s rampage all the more effective. Seizing the momentum, the Greenlanders readied their weapons and followed the bull’s wake of carnage into battle. Thorfinn Karlsefni, with his Viking Age weaponry and rampaging bull, won the skirmish and forced the natives to retreat. Yet, the Greenlanders now found the atmosphere in Vinland to be too hostile for a long-term settlement and, after filling their ships with North American goods, they decided to set sail back to Greenland.

Written by C. Keith Hansley

• The Vinland Sagas  ( Saga of the Greenlanders  and  Eirik the Red’s Saga ) translated by Keneva Kunz. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008.

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Vinland Saga's Complete Timeline

Quick links, the war arc chapters 14 (manga); episodes 124 (anime), the slave arc chapters 5599 (manga); episodes 2548 (anime), the eastern expedition arc chapters 100166 (manga), the vinland arc chapters 167ongoing (manga).

Writer and illustrator Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga debuted in 2005 and has since become one of the best ongoing seinen manga, charting a vast adventure inspired by real-world history. This historical drama follows Thorfinn Karlsefni as he embarks on a winding journey of self-discovery that takes him across Scandinavia and beyond.

Starting with Thorfinn's unwavering lustful vengeance for the murder of his father to his evolution as an aspiring peacemaker, Vinland Saga is one of the most satisfying manga out now with an excellent anime adaptation so far. The characters he meets on his arduous quest help flesh out this take on Scandinavian history. From the protagonist's troubled upbringing to the political intrigue of warring nations, Vinland Saga 's vast timeline paints a detailed picture.

Thorfinn's Life Spirals as Denmark and England Go to War

20 anime to watch if you like vinland saga.

As the first episode of Vinland Saga season 1 ( animated by Wit Studio ) shows, war and its cruel ripple effects will be a running theme for the rest of this series. It begins with a flashback of the most relevant starting point for the story, with Thors Snorresson, Thorfinn's father, tearing through hordes of enemies in the Battle of Hjörungavágr in 987. Visibly exhausted and disheartened over the toils of war, Thors takes the opportunity to abandon his warrior ways and the Jomsvikings he spent years training with and fighting for. In another, later flashback, it's revealed Thors, his wife Helga, and their newborn daughter Ylva were able to convince Thors' friend and Jomsviking ally Thorkell to plan their escape from this grim lifestyle.

Fifteen years later, Thors and Helga live a quiet and peaceful farm life in the cold lands of Iceland with their daughter and young son, Thorfinn. At six years old, Thorfinn was a carefree child who dreamed of glory as a warrior and explorer, but things took a dark turn when his father's past came back to haunt him. Though he reformed into a sincerely compassionate man repulsed by war and even the concept of having "enemies," Floki, a Jomsviking commander, discovered Thors' whereabouts to draft him in the Danish King Sweyn's war against the English. The former warrior complied with the conscription out of fear for his village's safety if he refused but, unfortunately, this was a secret assassination order on Floki's part for Thors' desertion 15 years earlier.

Askeladd, a Viking leader, and his band of mercenaries cornered Thors and his group on the sea and killed him, while the latter protected the young men and boys — including his son — with him on their boat. Thorfinn wouldn't see home again for several years, as the broken boy becomes hellbent on vengeance against Askeladd. The young boy joins the mercenary leader's outfit for 11 years to train and get stronger in their Viking exploits. Thorfinn's endgame would be challenging Askeladd to a duel and exacting his revenge . However, more complications would arise along the way, with Askeladd and Thorfinn getting tangled in the wartime strife and political tensions of Sweyn's war against England.

Thorfinn, Askeladd, Prince Canute, and Thorkell Become Embroiled in Political Scheming

This included clashing with the immensely powerful Thorkell , who has since sided with the English thinking it would be good sport to satisfy his hunger for war. But he, Askeladd, and Thorfinn would eventually become retainers and bodyguards for Prince Canute. The meek young prince is initially a hostage in this war, but it's later revealed his father, King Sweyn, sent him amid this turmoil hoping Canute would die. The king shared no love for his youngest son and deemed him detrimental to him politically. Effectively raised by his chief retainer and surrogate father Ragnar, the sheltered young prince had an epiphany after seeing the horrors of war in person. Canute resented his God letting the world descend into violence and chaos, pledging to create a paradise on Earth — and set his sights on his father's throne.

The group resolves to help Prince Canute succeed his cruel father, devising strategies and dodging attempts on the young prince's life. They manage to avoid King Sweyn's wrath and suspicions, but things erupt into violence and bloodshed in the War Arc final act and last stretch of the Vinland Saga anime's first season. When Sweyn announces his next war campaign in Ireland to his allies, he declares that his forces will invade Wales as a prelude. This breaks Askeladd's long-held cool composure, assassinating the king and slaughtering many of his soldiers. More than just a Viking, Askeladd was part Welsch and was sold into slavery by Vikings, despising the Danish father who reduced him and his mother to poverty, leading to the latter's death. However, Askeladd also used this opportunity to kill the king to give Prince Canute the perfect excuse to assert his dominance as his successor by executing him in turn.

Thorfinn's Redemption Begins While King Canute Makes Political Plays

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King Sweyn's shocking assassination and Askeladd's execution paved the way for one of Vinland Saga 's most important story arcs. Studio MAPPA brilliantly adapted the Slave Arc in season 2 of the anime , thrusting Thorfinn into the next major milestone of his character growth. With Askeladd executed by now-King Canute's hand, Thorfinn felt he had lost his only life's purpose, and lashed out at the new king for robbing him of his vengeance. Trying to spare his ally's life, he resolves to send him into slavery rather than execution. Thorfinn finds himself sold to Ketil, a farm owner in Jutland, Denmark .

Now 19 years old, a defeated and mellowed-out Thorfinn spends his days working the farmland, haunted by the trail of blood he left behind during his Viking days. However, he eventually meets and befriends Einar, a man from a Northern English village with Norse roots. Einar's village and family were decimated by invading Vikings, leading to the young man being sold into slavery on Ketil's farm. Einar is initially frustrated by Thorfinn's seeming lack of conviction, eventually becoming enraged and nearly resolving to kill him when he discovers he used to be a Viking. But through compassion, bonding, and sheer determination, the two become friends and allies as they work their way to freedom — and keep Thorfinn on the path of redemption .

The pair meet and befriend other characters on the farm, including Ketil's maid and concubine Arnheid, the farm's lead guard Snake, and Ketil's elderly father. Meanwhile, Canute — now King of England after succeeding his late father — makes a string of shrewd and unforgiving power plays to expand his political influence. It's a drastic change in character since his mild-mannered days as a teenager, growing bolder and more conniving to achieve his goals. Canute even assassinated his loving older brother Harald to consolidate his power in Europe as King of England and Denmark, believing it a necessary evil to realize his vision of paradise. These power moves would eventually cross paths with Thorfinn and Einar, as King Canute schemes against Ketil to create a pretense of confiscating his farmland.

While Canute readies his Jomsvikings to invade the farm, Arnheid is killed by Ketil in a rage when he discovers her enslaved husband broke free and attempted to escape with her. Amid the violence and chaos, Thorfinn and Einar pledge to do justice by Arnheid , aiming to travel to Vinland and create a settlement free from war and slavery . Before that, the former reunites in a tense then surprisingly casual meeting with King Canute for the first time since King Sweyn's assassination and Askeladd's execution. The two resolve their differences, accepting that, while taking wildly different approaches, they're ultimately after the same goal.

The New Group Funds Their Dream of Vinland

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That same year, at age 22, Thorfinn returns to Iceland alongside Einar with the help of Leif Ericson — an explorer and childhood family friend of Thorfinn's — and his adopted son, Thorfinn "Bug-Eyes." This was the first time he'd seen his mother and sister since he stowed away on Askeladd's boat after his father's death 16 years earlier. It was a heartfelt and joyous occasion, but it wouldn't last since Thorfinn and Einar planned to gather the resources and manpower needed to fund their expedition to Vinland . Before leaving, the group meets Gudrid, a young woman shackled to a heartless arranged marriage with Sigurd, the son of the ruthless landowner Halfdan. She manages to escape and convince the protagonist's crew to let her join them on their expedition.

Thorfinn, Einar, Leif, Bug-Eyes, and Gudrid then set sail, starting with Greece, eventually rescuing an orphaned child named Karli from the Shetlands Islands. Thorfinn and Gudrid are later married, adopting Karli as their son. In Norway, the group meets Hild, a highly-skilled hunter revealed to have been orphaned as a child by Thorfinn's hand. Thorfinn killed her father during his Viking days at Askeladd's orders. After convincing Hild to spare him, she agrees to join them on their expedition while carefully watching over Thorfinn to see if he's truly redeemed. Vinland Saga has always prided itself on being a mature story , and the protagonist's character arc is a major reason for this. His journey and growth have been convincing and well-earned, but this wouldn't be the last time his past returns to challenge him.

In the years since, Floki has remained an authority figure within the Jomsvikings, even if King Canute has hamstrung his power-hungry ambitions. He's tried to assassinate Thorfinn, and the Jomsvikings have splintered into two opposing factions that fight in the Baltic Sea War. Thorfinn and his crew get swept up into fighting for one side, with the mercenary Garm after his and his friends' heads. The battle is eventually settled, with Thorfinn being proclaimed chief . He then orders Floki to be exiled and the Jomsvikings to be disbanded, immediately renounces his position , and continues his trek for Vinland with the resources and manpower they have gathered.

Thorfinn and His Comrades Settle on the New Land

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Following up on the Eastern Expedition Arc is the final storyline, aptly titled the Vinland Arc. The crew returns to Iceland again to regroup and wait until the sea route to their destination clears up. Thorfinn finds more aspiring settlers in Iceland interested in his grand design for Vinland, eventually setting sail again. They make it to this exciting new land of possibilities, building a successful and peaceful settlement that gets by without needing weapons. Thorfinn's settlers learn the nature of the land, cultivate wheat, and forge friendly and productive relationships with the neighboring First Nations people known as the Mi'kmaq .

More pivotal character milestones are made, with Gudrid revealing she's pregnant with her and Thorfinn's child. Meanwhile, Hild strides in her growth, successfully moving beyond her dark past, and finds it within herself to forgive Thorfinn. She formally recognizes him as a true warrior in the vein of his late and reformed father, Thors, punctuating one of Makoto Yukimura's core themes for Vinland Sag a . It's a much-deserved respite for these characters and their new lives in North America.

Still, more trials and tribulations test their goals of settling on Vinland. Thorfinn's settlement initially had a healthy dynamic with the Mi'kmaq people, but grave tensions would rise . Between the diseases brought by the settlers that plagued the Mi'kmaq people, the intensifying disputes over resource distribution, and factions of Thorfinn's settlers growing increasingly paranoid over impending war, the entire concept of the Vinland project came into question. Much like Vinland Saga 's earlier arcs, this storyline is unlikely to have a straightforward resolution. Thorfinn's lofty ideals and determination have always been admirable since his redemption in the Slave Arc. Challenging and potentially abandoning his project to serve the greater good will require Makoto Yukimura's most nuanced storytelling talents as Vinland Saga approaches its final act.

Vinland Saga

Following a tragedy, Thorfinn embarks on a journey with the man responsible for it to take his life in a duel as a true and honorable warrior to pay homage.

Release Date July 6, 2019

Cast Hiroki Got, Shinya Takahashi, Michael C. Pizzuto, Alejandro Saab, Yto Uemura, Mike Haimoto, Aleks Le, Kaiji Tang

Main Genre Anime

Genres Action, Adventure, Anime

Rating TV-MA

Studio Wit Studio, Studio MAPPA

Creator Makoto Yukimura

Production Company Wit Studio, Mappa

Number of Episodes 48 Episodes

Streaming Service(s) Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Crunchyroll

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The Icelander Thorfinn Karlsefni who Visited the Western Hemisphere in 1007

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Commemorates erection and dedication of Einar Jónsson's statue of Þorfinnr karlsefni in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia in 1920.

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Vinland Saga: Characters Based On Real Historical Figures

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8 Most Fearless Anime Women

Vinland saga: the importance of leif ericson, explained, 10 best historical manga without anime.

• The anime blends real history with a stylized Viking conquest narrative, featuring many characters based on actual figures.
• Fans can expect a potential third season of Vinland Saga, with more characters based on real historical figures joining the cast.
• Characters like Thorfinn, Askeladd, and Canute are depicted with both accuracy and creative liberties in the series.

Vinland Saga is a rare historical anime. It unfolds during the age of the Vikings, portraying their European conquests and worldwide explorations in a typically stylized fashion. With that attachment to history comes many characters based on real figures. The series uses many prominent Vikings of the time for its cast.

Vinland Saga: How Much Of Real-World History Is The Series Based On?

Vinland Saga's incredible narrative incorporates elements of real-life history. Just how much of the series is based in reality?

The Vikings in Vinland Saga accomplish many amazing feats, but the backstories of these guys are arguably more incredible. In fact, people may be surprised not only by the liberties taken but by how faithful these versions are in certain areas.

Updated 14th August 2024 by David Heath: News is still quiet over whether Vinland Saga will get a third season. There's certainly plenty of material to work with, as the manga finally reached the titular Land of Vines a while back. Canute, Askeladd, and slavery in England might feel like a distant memory to fans who kept reading, while viewers have been struggling to resist spoiling themselves. Still, with its streaming success, it seems likely Vinland Saga Season 3 will happen at some point.

It shows fans new and old loved it, and even the staff liked it, with animator Takahiko Abiru calling it his favorite project out of all the ones he's done in his career. Which is high praise given he's worked on the likes of Paprika and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. That 3rd season will bring in more characters, more of whom are based on real historical figures . So, this list has been updated with more key characters, and how they compare and contrast to their non-fictional equivalents.

Vengeance Seeker To Adventurer

• In the Manga/Anime: A young man seeking revenge for the death of his father
• In History: An explorer who settled in 'Vinland' centuries before the other European explorers

The main protagonist of the series, Thorfinn, starts as a young boy who wants to be a great hero like his father, Thors. After witnessing his dad's death, the child casts himself into a life of hardship and survival. He trains as one of Askeladd's crew, hoping to attain the skills needed to finally achieve vengeance on him. This is where he fundamentally differs from the source.

The character is based on Thorfinn Karlsefni , who was less a warrior and more an explorer. He followed Leif Erikson's route to Vinland--or North America--to establish a Viking settlement. The accounts of his journey, along with that of Leif's father, Eric the Red, became known as the "Vinland sagas", hence the name of the manga and show. With Leif as a helpful presence to Thorfinn, the anime's little killer-turned-slave may turn pioneer after all .

Violent Warrior, Charismatic Mentor

• In the Manga/Anime: The man responsible for the death of Thorfinn's father, and for Thorfinn's growth as a warrior
• In History: Based on the Icelandic hero Olaf the Peacock, possibly inspiration for King Arthur

This is the roguish mercenary who kills Thorfinn's father. In following him, the young Viking positions Askeladd as an unorthodox teacher. There are plenty of worse characters to choose for this role. Askeladd is a charismatic leader who enjoys a good fight and takes on virtually any challenge if it pays. His name comes from Askeladden, a figure from Norwegian folktales. Yet his personality more resembles Olaf "the Peacock" Hösskuldson , hero of the 'Laxdæla Saga'.

This merchant was famous for his pride and flamboyant decorations and would become one of the wealthiest landowners in Iceland. However, the series eventually reveals another inspiration for Askeladd. It turns out his mother named him "Lucius Artorius Castus." This was the Roman officer thought to have inspired King Arthur. Though to further complicate things, the saga says his grandfather was 'Mýrkjartan', or Muirchertach mac Néill, King of Ailech in northwestern Ireland, which might be more likely than inspiring Camelot.

A Not-So-Gentle Giant

• In the Manga/Anime: A jolly giant man who loves to fight
• In History: A mighty mercenary who served both sides in the Danish-English Conflict

Thorfinn's grand-uncle is known for his mighty stature and battle prowess. Due to his love of combat, he serves as the right hand of Prince Canute, aiding him in his quest to become the ruler of the Danes. Which is fairly accurate for the historical sagas. The character comes from Thorkell the Tall , a Jomsviking lord who raised Canute at his court.

Vinland Saga: Thorkell's Warrior Code, Explained

Brash, loud, and proud, Thorkell represents the Viking who loves to engage in battle and spill the blood of his enemies, but he also keeps a code.

They fought on opposite sides when the young prince invaded England with his father, Sweyn Forkbeard. In Vinland Saga , it was because he thought aiding the weaker English forces would be more interesting than another Viking victory. In history, it was because of the death of his hostage, Elfheah, the Archbishop of Canterbury, which disillusioned him from the Danish cause. In both, Thorkell would rejoin Canute's forces and become formidable again.

4 The Jomsvikings

The legendary viking mercenaries may just be legend.

• In the Manga/Anime: The ruthless band of warriors for hire who made up the Danish forces in the Battle of Hjörngavágr
• In History: The likely mythical band of warriors who may have fought at the equally hard-to-pin-down Battle of Hjörngavágr

Though they were just one of many seafaring bands of Norse warriors, the Jomsvikings are pretty much what most people picture when they imagine what a Viking is. Ruthless, hard-fighting, hard-drinking warriors who serve anyone if the price is right. However, they had a strict code potential applicants had to live up to, like only accepting men between 18–50 years old. A 12-year-old called Vagn managed to join their ranks after beating an older Jomsviking in a duel, so it's not impossible for Askeladd to manipulate Thorfinn into his team.

However, most of what people know about the Jomsvikings comes from legend and sagas, like their own 'Jomsvikings Saga', 'King Olaf Trggvasson's Saga' (which inspired Vinland Saga in the first place), and excerpts from the Flatley Book. They have enough mentions in other sources to suggest there's a kernel of truth to them, given Thorkell was a real person. But overall, most details surrounding them, from the pivotal Battle of Hjörngavágr to their stronghold of Jomsborg, are considered 'semi-legendary' at best.

Canute's Loyal Retainer

• In the Manga/Anime: A protective guardian of the young Canute, acting like a father figure
• In History: Thorkell the Tall

Here's where things get a little funny. In Vinland Saga , Ragnar is more like Canute's father than his blood father, Sweyn Forkbeard. He's overbearing and overprotective of his young charge but keeps a level head to raise the young prince right. The timid young boy grew more courageous under his watch and, following Ragnar's death was set on the path to becoming Canute the Great. But Canute didn't have a right-hand man called "Ragnar" in history, or at least not one who fits Vinland Saga 's mold.

Both Ragnar and his younger brother Gunnar were based on Thorkell the Tall . He grew quite close to Canute after he rejoined the Danish cause, and aided in his re-invasion of England, becoming Jarl (Earl) of East Anglia. He'd fall out with Canute again in 1021 but would reconcile in 1023, and become the Jarl of Denmark and foster father to Canute's son, Harthacnut. He disappears from the historical record in 1024.

6 King Harald Of Norway

Fierce with fine hair.

• In the Manga/Anime: A giant, fierce warrior who became the first king of Norway through violent conquest
• In History: The possibly mythical first king of Norway

King Harald is more of a background figure at the start of the series. A descendant of the Swedish Yngling clan, he conquered the country of Norway village by village through pillage and other ruthless tactics. He gave the conquered people a choice: accept his rule or leave their land forever. Leif revealed to Thorfinn that his ancestors chose the latter and eventually discovered Iceland.

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This brutal ruler is based on King Harald "Fairhair" of Norway , a figure mentioned in multiple sagas written between the 9th and 14th centuries, from the Hrafnsmál (which described Harald as a Yngling) to the Flateyjarbók (how he defeated his neighbors to secure Norway, and what became of his sons). But sagas aren't historical records. Their conflicting issues with each other and with harder evidence (the "Fairhair" tag may apply to the later Norwegian king Harald Hardrada) suggest he may be a myth akin to Britain's King Arthur.

7 Sweyn Forkbeard

Cruel & calculating.

• In the Manga/Anime: An ambitious, brutal king who would give up his son to achieve his goals
• In History: An ambitious, cunning king who overthrew his father to achieve his goals

Canute's father is villainous even by Viking standards. Sweyn is a ruthless ruler who managed to conquer England and is willing to sacrifice anything for his ambition, including his son, as Canute's sentimentality and failure to understand his station disgusted him. This is a far cry from history, as King Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute worked together to invade England.

The king even left Canute in charge at several points. He was more brutal towards his father, King Harald Bluetooth (yes, the wireless tech is named after him). He'd end up revolting against him and taking his throne, leaving his father to die in exile. Forkbeard asserted himself as a calculating leader who won many battles and territories, claiming much of Norway and all of England and Wales. This laid vital groundwork for his son to expand on.

8 Harald Svendsen

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

• In the Manga/Anime: The eldest son of Sweyn Forkbeard, who was poisoned by Canute
• In History: The eldest son of Sweyn Forkbeard, and King of Denmark until 1018

Vinland Saga doesn't spend much time with Canute's elder brother, Harald. He was the heir to Sweyn's throne, inherited it when he died, and then got poisoned by his younger brother, who had his own plans for Denmark, England, and the rest of his territories. That's pretty much all history knows about Harald Svendsen . Except the poisoning was an invention for the series, as it seems the two brothers actually got on quite well.

Together, they planned out the conquest of England, which Canute succeeded in doing during Harald's reign. He died in 1018, give or take a year or two, with speculation suggesting he was murdered, and Canute seeking to avenge his fate. But there's nothing set in stone. Ultimately, he was so overshadowed by his more famous father and younger brother that he was nearly completely in the dark.

A Great Cnut

• In the Manga/Anime: A genteel prince who becomes a cunning leader
• In History: A cunning prince who became the ruler of an empire

The anime's rendition of Canute is a gentle-looking prince who grows into a confident leader. He wants to create a great kingdom in homage to God. That's why he takes command of the Viking army, albeit through unscrupulous means. Nevertheless, like his historical namesake Canute (or Cnut) The Great , he would take control of England, making it the first of many lands in his domain.

Canute was a revolutionary Viking who united various factions. Through careful strategy and intense determination across 12 years, he would become King of England, Denmark, and Norway in a vast North Sea Empire, earning the nickname "Cnut the Great". However, his religious faith kept him mindful of his limits. In legend, he demonstrated this by trying to order the tide to go back, only for it to come in as (to him) God ordained. As of the anime's season 2, he's become 'The Great', but has yet to make any orders on the beach.

Vinland Saga: Canute’s Dramatic Change, Explained

Canute went from a scared Prince to a ruthless King. Here's a closer look at his unique journey throughout Vinland Saga.

10 Ethelred II

Unprepared, unwilling, and unready.

• In the Manga/Anime: The deposed King of England poisoned by Canute
• In History: The deposed King of England who'd try to fight back, but would ultimately fail

Vinland Saga tweaks some characters for drama, but it didn't need to do much to make King Ethelred II of England as hopeless as his historical counterpart. He gets deposed from the throne after Sweyn and Canute's invasion of London, and then tries to reclaim the throne after Sweyn's death, only to be poisoned to death by Canute's order. His lack of care and planning would earn him the title of "Ethelred the Unready."

Historical records used "unready" (or "unræd") to mean "badly advised", blaming his counsel for proposing to pay Sweyn to leave England alone ("Danegeld"). It might've worked if Ethelred hadn't also ordered the murder of Danish settlers in 1002. This led to the invasion that would depose him 11 years later. He would manage to reclaim parts of England, but he'd pass away from (allegedly) natural causes in 1016, leaving his son Edmund to fight Canute for control.

11 Edmund Ironside

His grip wasn't as iron as his nickname.

• In the Manga/Anime: The successor to Ethelred II, who handed over half of England to Canute before dying mysteriously
• In History: The successor to Ethelred II, who handed over half of England to Canute before dying mysteriously

Since Vinland Saga is about Thorfinn, some characters end up being historically accurate because of brevity. Like his father, Ethelred the Unready, Edmund Ironside is just another stepping stone for Canute to step on the way to forming his grand North Sea Empire. Edmund put up a better fight than his father, waging war against the Danish king-in-waiting for 7 months, before eventually conceding all English kingdoms but Wessex (basically the entire southern part of the country) to Canute. Once he died in 1016, Canute would take that too.

That's basically what happened in history too. Only Edmund actually rebelled against his father and tried fighting off the Danes in his own way by establishing a power base in England's Midlands. But once he lost the Battle of Assandun, he agreed to hand it and the North of England over to Canute. He died suddenly in 1016, with rumors of it being due to poisoning or from an assassin hiding in his toilet. The Saxons would regain England in Edward the Confessor's reign, only to lose it to Edward's Norman cousins in 1066.

12 Estrid Svendsdatter

The dynasty-founding daughter.

• In the Manga/Anime: The half-sister of Canute who just about avoids his plots
• In History: The princess married off to multiple princes before becoming the mother of Denmark's Estridsen Dynasty

Things wouldn't be any calmer on the Danish side of things for Sweyn and Canute in the series. After poisoning Ethelred to settle his English claim to the throne, and after Sweyn died, he'd poison his elder brother Harald too, to secure his Danish claim. Luckily, his half-sister Estrid Svendsdatter would largely escape Canute's machinations. As she did in history, which ironically led her line to succeed over Canute's.

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During her father Sweyn's reign, Estrid would be married off to one prince or another. The most interesting was the proposed marriage to Robert, Duke of Normandy, father of the future King of England, William the Conqueror. But she'd end up marrying someone else, and have a son, Sweyn II, who'd establish the Estridsen Dynasty, which would rule much of Scandinavia for 300+ years.

The Loose Link To The Estridsen Dynasty

• In the Manga/Anime: The personal guard of Thorkell, and husband of Estrid
• In History: Husband of Estrid, guardian of his nephew Harthacnut, and attempted usurper

Estrid's husband in Vinland Saga is Wulf, Canute's head thegn and battle instructor. He works with Thorkell as his personal guard during the Baltic Sea War, then loses an eye to Thorgil during the battle on Ketil's farm. This is quite a feat as Wulf's eyes looked closed by default, making him known as "Beady-Eyes" to his peers. He's inspired by Ulf Thorgillson , who has no connection to the show's eye-gouger, despite the surname.

Ulf was a distant descendant of Harald Bluetooth and succeeded Thorkell as guardian to Canute's son, Harthacnut. He would also marry Estrid, though he would be executed by Canute with Estrid's blessing after he tried to overthrow Canute, install Harthacnut in his place, and rule in his stead as regent until he came of age. Still, Ulf arguably got the last laugh as his son, Sweyn II, would succeed Harthacnut years later.

Discoverer Of North America

• In the Manga/Anime: Family friend of Thorfinn, and discoverer of Vinland (North America)
• In History: Son of Eric the Red, discoverer of Greenland, and discoverer of Vinland (North America)

A prominent supporting player and a quirky old traveler, Leif was a friend of Thorfinn's father, Thors. Through this connection, he seeks to aid Thorfinn in his journey from seeking vengeance to seeking new frontiers. Namely, by boasting of his voyage to Vinland, "a new world full of ripe fruit and rippling plains". That's definitely worth boasting about, as it's what he's known for in history too.

The character is based on the real Leif "The Lucky" Erikson . He was a Viking sailor who first charted a course for Vinland, as described in the original "Vinland sagas". Experts believe that this was North America, possibly at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada. Such a momentous achievement would make Leif the first European in the New World, preceding Christopher Columbus by 500 years.

Wife Of Thorfinn, And Mother Of The First European-American

• In the Manga/Anime: A woman seeking to escape her ex-husband and make a new life with Thorfinn
• In History: A Christian widow rescued by Leif Erikson who would join Thorfinn in Vinland

One avid listener of Leif's stories was Gudrid. Dreaming of sailing to escape her ex-husband Sigurd, she eventually joins the explorer, where she meets Thorfinn. Romance blossoms, and she marries the Viking hero, hoping to make a new living in the legendary Vinland. Those versed in history know the significance of this powerful paring, as she's based on Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir , the wife of the real Thorfinn.

Throughout the first two seasons of Vinland Saga, Leif Ericson remains an important figure in the story's lore, despite his lack of screen time.

After being rescued at sea by the real Leif Erikson, and after the death of her first husband Thorir, Gudrid joined Thorfinn in his quest to Vinland . She was a Christian among pagans and passed down her faith to her son Snorri. Aside from being the first European born in the Americas, he would later aid the Christianization of Iceland. Thus far, Vinland Saga has focused on Thorfinn's adopted son Karli, an original character who survived a village massacre . But Gudrid is currently pregnant in the manga, so Snorri's debut may not be far off.

16 Thorvald Erikson

The brother of leif, husband of gudrid.

• In the Manga/Anime: Younger brother of Leif, first husband of Gudrid, before disappearing into Vinland.
• In History: Younger brother of Leif, brother-in-law to Gudrid,

Thorvald Erikson , in both Vinland Saga and history, holds the dubious distinction of likely being the first European to die on North American soil. In the former, he was married to Gudrid but left on an expedition to Vinland before he could consummate the marriage. He tried to form his own colony in the land, following in his big brother's footsteps. But Leif eventually had to give Gudrid the bad news that he had likely died fighting the natives. She'd end up in an arranged marriage with Sigurd, which would lead to her meeting Thorfinn.

Leif did have a brother called Thorvald, who went on his own journey to Vinland, according to the Vinland sagas (though 'The Saga of Erik the Red' makes it part of Thorfinn's expedition). It also suggests he was killed during hostilities with the Natives. However, he never married Gudrid. That was his and Leif's other brother, Thorstein, who helped bury Thorvald in Vinland, and then led another expedition with Gudrid to bring the body back to Greenland. He never made it there, as bad weather pushed him back to Greenland, where he died of disease.

The Sister of Leif

• In the Manga/Anime: The sister of Leif Erikson, and a motherly figure to Gudrid
• In History: Freydís Eiríksdóttir, who made her own journey to Vinland.

Tulla, the sister of Leif Erikson, doesn't seem to be the most dynamic character in Vinland Saga 's later arcs. She largely acts as a mother figure to Gudrid, hearing out her desire to travel to new lands, which isn't much compared to other women in the manga. However, if she becomes more like her historical counterpart, Freydís Eiríksdóttir , she might get more interesting pretty quickly. She was Leif's real sister (half or full) and, depending on the source, has her own Vinland-based sagas to tell.

In 'The Saga of Erik the Red', she joined Thorfinn's expedition, where she fought off the Natives with a fallen Viking's sword while 8 months pregnant, admonishing her cowardly male counterparts in the process. Whereas in 'The Saga of the Greenlanders', she and two Icelandic men went to re-use Leif's settlements. When they had a dispute over who would use the houses, the men offered to make peace, which Freydis accepted. She then told her husband they didn't, leading the two to murder them and their families. It's said no one thought well of her descendants after that.

The Natives Of Vinland

• In the Manga/Anime: The native inhabitants of Vinland, who are conflicted over Thorfinn's crew
• In History: Better known as the Mi'kmaq, the Indigenous tribe of Canada's Atlantic Provinces

The anime hasn't reached Vinland or its people yet. But considering what it's called ( Vinland Saga ), what it's based on (the Vinland sagas), and who it all started with in both sources (Leif Erikson), fans likely already know the cast will eventually come across Vinland and its native people. It's just a case of when they'll see them in motion instead of in print.

These manga, set in different periods throughout Earth's history, deserve their own animated adaptations.

The sagas didn't know the specific tribe of the area Thorfinn made contact in, and simply called them "skrælings" (either a reference to their fur pelts or "dried skin," or another word for "barbarian"). But the manga would settle on using the most likely tribe from the area: the Lnu , or Mi'kmaq tribe, the indigenous people of Canada's North Atlantic provinces. The two sides would initially trade on friendly terms. However, as Thorvald found out, there's a historical reason why Christopher Columbus got all the credit for finding America 500 years later.

19 Thors Snorreson

The father whose sacrifice started the saga.

• In the Manga/Anime: A brutal warrior who sacrificed himself to free his son
• In History: An Icelander descended from adventurers

The "Troll of Jom", Thors Snorreson, was one of the most formidable warriors in the Jomsvikings. He was known for his cold and remorseless actions on the battlefield. But after the birth of his children Helga and Thorfinn, he lost his taste for war, opting for more peaceful means of settling disputes before resorting to violence. He'd defeat Askeladd in a duel, but when Thorfinn is taken hostage, he opts to sacrifice himself to free his son.

Thorfinn's real father, Thord "Horsehead" Snorrason , wasn't quite as fierce a warrior. In fact, there's very little known about him at all. He raised Thorfinn in Skagafjord, Iceland, on an estate founded by his grandfather, Thord of Hofdi. The Vinland sagas claimed Thord's line was descended from Björn Ironside, famous for joining his father-figure Hastein in their takeover of Luni, a small town in Italy that they mistook for Rome. If there are any other mangaka wanting to follow Vinland Saga 's lead, they'll find plenty of sources for inspiration.

Vinland Saga

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