Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir, the Viking woman who traveled the world, is often overshadowed by her more famous contemporaries, Eirik the Red and Leif Eriksson. The three were related by blood or marriage, but Gudrid may have been the greatest explorer of them all. In the sagas, she is given nearly three times the word count that Leif receives.
Gudrid, Leif and Greenland
When Eirik the Red opened Greenland to Viking settlers, the intrepid Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir left her farm in Iceland to travel there with her Norwegian husband, Thorrir. On the way, their ship was wrecked, and Gudrid survived on a barren island with 15 other people.
While returning from Vinland (North America), Leif Eriksson spotted movement on the barren island, investigated, and found the 15 survivors. His crew urged him to leave them behind, fearing they could overpower his ship. Leif overruled them and rescued the group, earning the nickname “Leif the Lucky.” Gudrid’s husband, Thorrir, died of illness during the winter after their rescue. Although the sagas imply this shipwreck occurred during her first attempt to reach Vinland, scholars believe it actually happened en route to Greenland.
Gudrid Attempts Going to Vinland
If scholars are correct, the voyage to Greenland would have given Gudrid plenty of time to be regaled with tales of Vinland. She would have seen the bounty Leif and his crew brought back. Even if scholars are mistaken, Gudrid still would have heard about the new land and its riches. Eventually, she grew restless and longed to see the fertile lands farther west. She joined one—or possibly two—voyages to Vinland, depending on the version of the story. The second voyage, with her new husband Thorsteinn (Leif Eriksson’s younger brother), also ended in failure when he died of illness.
Gudrid, a Widow in Greenland
Gudrid returned to Greenland a widow, still eager to reach Vinland. She lived with her father-in-law, Eirik the Red. When Karlsefni Thordarson and his crew of 80 arrived in Greenland to trade for walrus ivory, Eirik invited them to spend the winter at his homestead—the only one large enough to house them. During their stay, Karlsefni became acquainted with Gudrid and heard tales of fertile Vinland. Over a festive Christmas celebration, he proposed marriage, and Gudrid accepted. Christmas became their wedding day.
Gudrid Arrives in Vinland
On her third attempt, Gudrid finally reached Vinland. She and her husband Karlsefni arrived in North America with either 140 or 60 other Vikings (sources vary), including only five women, and brought livestock. They founded a settlement called “Hop.” Between 1006 and 1010, Gudrid gave birth to Snorri, the first child of European descent born in North America. The Vikings encountered Native Americans and began trading, but tensions soon escalated.
The sagas portray Gudrid as a potential peacemaker. In one story, she sits at home with her sleeping infant when a Native woman in black garb enters and speaks in a language Gudrid understands. Before they can finish introductions, another Viking kills a native who tried to take his weapon. The visitors, including Gudrid’s guest, flee.
Tensions split the Viking camp into two groups. Gudrid and Karlsefni supported peace through trade, while the other group sought peace through domination. Fear prevailed, and the Vikings engaged in conflict with a better-organized force that knew the land and had ranged weapons.
When Snorri was three, Gudrid and Karlsefni decided to leave Vinland.
More Travels for Gudrid
After returning to Iceland, Gudrid lived there with Karlsefni until his death. As a widow, she journeyed south to Europe, reportedly traveling on foot as far as Rome. Eventually, Gudrid returned to her farm in Iceland, where her son had built a Christian church. There, she lived out her days as a nun.
Sources: How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small Island by Egill Bjarnason (2021).
Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price (2020).
