The Life and Times of Thorkyr Leifson

Early Life in Greenland

Thorkyr Leifson was born likely around 1005 CE following the journeys of his father, Leif Erikson, to the new world. Born the son of the High Chieftain of Greenland, Thorkyr and his brothers Thorgils and Thorkell lived a comfortable (by Greenlander standards) life in Leif's longhouse at Brattahild. Despite their higher status as sons of a High Chieftain, the boys would have needed to help with various aspects of daily life such as caring for livestock, repairing their home and stables, spinning wadmal, and preserving meats and cheeses. The boys would also have received schooling from Leif, their mother Thorgunna, and the priests at Brattahild. They were likely taught reading and writing in both Latin and Norse, Christian theology, and some aspects of law by the adults in their lives.

At some point during Thorkyr's teenage years, he came under the tutelage of Leif Erkison's thrall Tyker the German. While not discussed in detail in either Tho. or the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr's adventures with Tyker were a formative moment in his early life. The duo were known to venture into the wastes north of the western settlement of Greenland to both hunt walrus, foxes, and seals. In these northern wastes the duo also encountered communities of Dorset and/or proto-Inuit peoples. While both sources don't divulge many details, it appears that Tyker and Thorkyr were accepted by the "skraelings" they interacted with, and were at least friendly enough with these people to trade with them and learn their languages. The Siggurd Codex insinuates the duo spent two years traveling with the skraelings, and even states that they may have spent a summer on the shores of Helluland (Baffin Island) before returning.

According to both Tho. and the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr also appears to have learned many aspects of the old Nordic pagan religion while traveling with Tyker. However, both sources differ on the personal beliefs of Thorkyr. in Tho. Thorkyr's knowledge of the Nordic religion is only mentioned in passing and he is described as a devout Christian, especially in the later chapters which only draw short of describing Thorkyr as a crusading figure. In the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr is instead characterized as a man indifferent to Nordic, Catholic, or even Skraeling religious practice. At one point, the Siggurd Codex states that "[he] cared not who he prayed [to], only that [the prayers] were heard". 

First Voyage to a New World

Thorkyr's ambition only grew as he reached adulthood in the 1020s - 1030s CE. When in his mid twenties, Thorkyr approached his father Leif regarding the prospects of a voyage to Vinland and beyond. Although the reason given in both Tho. and the Siggurd Codex is that Thorkyr decided to travel west in order to find the lost settlers of Freydis Eriksdottir's voyage, as the third son Thorkyr was likely also looking to carve a place for himself. His oldest brother Thorkell was to succeed Leif as High Chieftain of Greenland, while his second older brother Thorgils was content to farm on the family land. To a man who had already made a name for himself in venturing into the untamed north of Greenland and trading rare goods, exploring the new world was a gamble that could ensure him wealth and prestige.

Around 1034 CE, after receiving Leif's blessing, Thorkyr assembled a crew of 42 sailors in two knarrs. Tho. provides details of their voyage to Leifsbudir in detail. Once Thorkyr arrives at the deserted settlement, he finds evidence that the survivors voyaged south to Thorfinn Karlsefni's outpost of Hop. In Tho. this information is left on a runestone left in the abandoned town which details the events of Freydis Eriksdottir's failed settlement, while in the Siggurd Codex the information is instead given by a single man who did not want to travel south. In both accounts Thorkyr tells to boats to travel south to the location of Hop. Due to the years of artic exploration, Thorkyr was a keen planer, and during the trip he brought along crewmembers which had been part of prior voyages to Vinland. One of those crewmembers, a Laplander (a Finn from eastern Scandinavia) named Aukusti, was a crewmmeber on Thorfinn Karlsefni's voyage to Vinland and Hop. Thorkyr was able to consult Aukusti and use his knowledge of the southern waters to find the location of Hop on the sinking Georges Bank.

Once Thorkyr arrived at Hop he encountered the remnants of Helgi and Finnbogi's crew as well as the Hopflings (the Norse word initially used to describe the indigenous people of the Georges Bank, eventually used to describe all residents of the Georges Bank). Thorkyr's stop in Hop was very fruitful and peaceable. In both Tho. and the Siggurd Codex he hears the accounts of the remaining crew of their new life in Hop and is greatly impressed by the resilience and organization of the settlers. In particular he lauds the cunning Chieftess Vilbma, who has managed to carve a place for the Norse in this new land through both diplomatic and martial means. In the Siggurd Codex it is revealed that he desires to stay for a few years because of the richness of the land and the success of the settlement, but is convinced by three homesick crewmembers to return to Greenland.

Upon departing Hop, the strength of the southern Labrador current which managed to sweep the knarrs south by roughly 80 miles. By the time the current weakened, the crews spotted small dots of green rising from light blue waters. The knarrs landed in a white sandy beach presumed to be near present day Agua Fria Beach on Nishsystir. These would be the first time humans set foot on the Mossfells since the islands were depopulated nearly 7,000 years prior.

During this first voyage to the Mossfells, Thorkyr and his crew were struck in awe by the world they stumbled upon. It is important to note that to medieval Greenlanders this new world of fantastical beasts, unknown plants, and crystal warm waters would have been as alien to them as a standing upon the surface of Mars is to us. Sadly, the Siggurd Codex is concise about this first voyage stating "In that time, [Thorkyr's] crew arrived to the isles that would be Musphelland, and they found many good [game] among those isles for a fortnight. They left when the currents swept north, past the great mount of fire." Comparatively in Tho. an entire chapter is dedicated to this first voyage. In this chapter Thorkyr is described intrigued by these new lands but also very interested in returning home, only stopping at various islands at the behest of his crew who have developed a taste for tyrducks and vatterkanin. While exploring the jungles of Udyrheim (modern day Isle of Hens), Thorkyr encountered and dispatched two hob-boglins, an extinct larger relative of the barn boglin. Through these descriptions, the account in Tho. foreshadows the effects humans would have on the indigenous life on the isles.  While many would perish forever like the hob-boglin, some (un)lucky few like vatterkanin and tyrducks would become domesticated staples of  the ravenous Mossfell Norse and Viardrmen diet.

Before returning home via a strong Gulf Stream current, Thorkyr and his crew observed the isle of Musphelheim (modern day Mossfellheim) during an active period of eruption. In this first voyage, Thorkyr had not only been successful in discovering the survivors in Hop, but also inadvertently discovered an entirely new lush and unpopulated land. Returning with knarrs laden with goods from this new world as well as crewmembers spinning fantastical tales, Thorkyr would return to Brattahild with fanfare and fame. This last visage of fires dancing on the summit as the knarrs pass eastwards would inspire a generation of bards, adventurers, outlaws, and vagabonds to voyage toward the Musphellands.

A Brief Stop in Greenland

Once they returned to Greenland, Thorkyr and his crew became overnight heroes. It would have only taken a few hours after their arrival for fantastical tales of lost settlers, fiery islands, and wonderous animals to be woven into bardic verses. In every corner of Greenland from mead halls to churches, Thorkyr Leifson was coronated with the epithet Westsailor.

It appears that Thorkyr relished this new-found fame. Tho. states "He lavished in this attention, and showered friends with tales and gifts from the land which he discovered".  The Siggurd Codex also provides the following description, of an astounded and impressed audience. "Thorkyr the Westsailor took in many a guest into his home, and once they saw the treasures he brought from [the Musphellands] and heard his marvelous stories, they showered him with gifts, with praise, [and] pledged themselves to whatever new voyage he would embark upon."

However not all were content with Thorkyr's new fame. Notably his eldest brother Thorkell feared this new found fame. Thorkell aimed to succeed their father Leif as High Chieftain in Greenland. Despite his lack of formal legal training Thorkyr's new fame, friends, and wealth would have easily made him a popular choice for High Chieftain at the next meeting of the Thing. Perhaps less out of brotherly admiration and more out of a desire to rid himself of a potential policial threat, in Tho. Thorkell attempts to win his brother over with praise and convince him to voyage west once more. "He then showered his brother with praise. He praised his brother's mastery of hunting, seamanship, and commanding... Thorkyr proclaimed 'Dear brother, you have such trust and faith in my accomplishments and I thank you! I think by God, I shall return to the West and Hop with several knarrs and we should reap the bounty of these new lands!' "

Thorkyr evidently took his brother's support at face value and with a fame that reached as far as Denmark, he was ready to set out on a second voyage. Like many famous sequels, this voyage would be bigger and more bombastic. While Tho. and the Siggurd Codex differ on the exact number of travelers and ships would join on this second voyage, they agree that it was an eclectic mix. Artisans, farmers, priests, Viking warriors, all were eager to join on a journey to this new land. While not exactly elaborated upon in the stories, later historians would debate why there was so much fervor in this new voyage. From the 1020-1040s CE, neither Greenland nor Iceland had not suffered any large-scale wars, famines, or natural disasters. Meanwhile, Norway was embroiled in wars of kingly succession between King Olaf II Haraldsson and King Cnut the Great. In his commentaries on Norweigan affairs, Icelandic historian Snorri Sturlurson (1179-1241 CE) attributed the increased interest in the voyage to this period of instability: "Many a man and woman sought [the] safety of newer lands than stay and face iron." Some historians believe that Thorkyr simply had a 'good sale's pitch' and was able to drum up much support through the stories of his enthusiastic crew of such a bountiful land. Whichever the case, Thorkyr eventually left Gadar again in the summer  of1035 CE, this time with a venerable fleet of knarrs and cogs.

Second Voyage of Thorkyr Leifson, Westsailor

Now well on their journey in the waters of the North Atlantic, in the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr stated his goals for this voyage to his crew. "I repeat myself to you all, we seek new lands so we may prosper, from Leifsbudir to Hop to the islands south." This differs slightly from the account provided in Tho. which portrays Thorkyr as wishing to return straight to Hop and the Musphellands instead of re-visiting older settlements. In the Siggurd Codex one of the knarrs full of settlers stays in Leifsbudir with a small sheep herd. 

Both accounts agree on one thing, the presence of bad actors on the voyage. The 'Vikings' who joined Thorkyr on this second voyage were led by a man by the name of Haakon Two-Finger. In the late 11th century CE the old nordic religion and Viking ways were declining in favor of Christian Kings and customs, but pagan-worshipping norse were not uncommon. Haakon and his knarr of Vikings proved troublesome on at least one occasion during this journey. Likely occuring off the coast of modern day Nova Scotia, a group of native Americans approached the knarrs in dugout canoes waving furs. As he had experience in trading with Inuit people in Greenland, Thorkyr commanded his fellow travelers to not draw their swords and instead offer goods up for trade. This doesn't last long as Haakon commanded his Vikings to kill the approaching envoys, quickly ending this potential peaceable interaction. Both accounts state that Thorkyr was incensed by this insubordination, but did not act to punish Haakon or his Vikings. Some researchers theorize that based on the late departure of the voyage in the year, Thorkyr was in a rush to finish the journey before the growing season ended, and didn't have time to chastise Haakon. Others researchers postulate that while Thorkyr appreciated skraeling trade, he did not exactly care about their lives, so Haakon's disobedience was only ever going to be met with a slap on the wrist.

Much like the last voyage, Thorkyr received a warm welcome in Hop. Here, many of the knarrs made thier final stop as well. Chieftess Vilbma, the leader of Hop, accepted these new arrivals with open arms. During this stop, the Vikings also convene with the Chieftess and buy many skraeling captives from her. They then join up with Thorkyr and the remaining knarrs (much to his annoyance) as they make the final journey to the isles of Fjaraland (Beach-lands, likely modern day St. James and St. Anne).

Jarl of (the) Musphellands

On Fjaraland, Thorkyr and the crews set to work and built up the first settlement of Musphelland. Creatively named Thorkyrsbudir (Thorkyr's Booths), Thorkyr took charge over the settlers and organized them into teams to build longhouses, stables, and palisades. As noted in both Tho. and the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr did not know that the isles were completely uninhabited and wanted to make sure the settlements were adequately defended.

In Thorkyrsbudir, the Haakon Two-Finger and his vikings once again proved a nuisance. Instead of aiding in construction, they prefered to get into fights with each other and other settlers. In the Siggurd Codex, Haakon's Vikings are credited with "...fighting among their own, their slaves, and their fellow Musphellanders... they oft lounged about and when bored castigated their thralls for malicious amusement." Eventually, following an incident with a priest, the Vikings left Thorkyrsbudir on their own accord. Thorkyr appears to have been relieved by this development. Because of Thorkyr's hesitation to punishing the Vikings, some historians believe that while he was an accomplished captain, he lacked many of the attributes to govern adequately when faced with a potential rival. Instead of confrontation, he favored allowing things to take their course. This is echoed in the Siggurd Codex passage: "...a  man not quick to anger, as many [pointed out]. He believed that fate would sort all [problems] in the end."

In his last adventure, Thorkyr and his crew venture past the "Isle of Five Peaks" toward Mossfellheim, and end briefly stranded on the Isle of Five peaks after running through some shallow reefs. The crew credit a sealbird for leading them to the safety of the interior Lake of Tears in Neffannafjall. Here they explore the island, encounter a what would eventually be called a Jotnar Sloth, and are rescued by a passing trader from Hop. 

While these fanciful tales are not elaborated upon in the Siggurd Codex, Thorkyr's reign was noted to be calm and fruitful despite his desire for adventure rather than leadership. "He was at home at sea and and on cliffside... those early years of his Jarldom, he was always looking for the chance to see the new wonders of the Musphellands and the Hopflings… he cared much for the common folk of the land and they prospered much, but his heart was never still." This is somewhat contrasted with the account in Tho. which characterizes Thorkyr as a person who was deeply concerned with ruling his people "he went to the priest of the settlement Sira Wylde who had provided God's guidance and laws to the settlement ... 'I am at a loss on how to govern those who proclaim themselves under my ward. Long have I left you to govern the laws and souls of the people here in Thorkyrsbudir. Today I do not arrive to you as a sinner seeking penance but as a ruler seeking guidance.'"

This era of Thorkyr's Jarldom is a contentious area of study, which brings up an important consideration. The accounts in Tho. and the Siggurd Codex begin to vary wildly at this point. The Siggurd Codex characterizes Thorkyr as an a well-meaning but ineffective leader, while Tho. lionizes Thorkyr as a strong and deeply religious individual who attempts his hardest to fight against Haakon's reavers. Since the material differs so starkly, summaries of the different accounts the final days of Thorkyr's reign are provided below:

Controversy and Conspiracy

Often called The Battle of Fjaraland-Thorkyrsbudir by academics, the sequence of events in the last moments of Thorkyr Leifson has been hotly debated. This is due to how both sources treat Thorkyr's final actions. Some see the Siggurd Codex as more faithful to the initial characterization of Thorkyr as an aloof yet well-meaning man, while other scholars have considered the account in Tho. as being more in-line with the religio-political values Thorkyr may have had as the son of Leif Erikson and as a medieval Catholic. A critique of that idea is that Tho. was likely copied from texts found on Brennijksteijn monastery on Mossfellheim and that Augustinian monks in this monastery may have re-imagined the pseudo-pagan/catholic, religiously tolerant Thorkyr as a hardline believer.

Despite the discrepencies, there are also concerns regarding the events toward Thorkyr's life, notably the actions and positions of Frey Cnudson. Frey is initially mentioned as a heroic figure in Tho. due to the rescue of several sailors from an aquatic monster, but very little further characterization is provided. He quickly becomes a prominent figure in both accounts during and after the battles between Haakon and Thorkyr's forces. This eventually comes to a conclusion in Thorkyr's plea to Frey to become the next Jarl. It is noted that in both cases, Thorkyr is slain by some hidden assailant. Some Viardrmen oral traditions speak of a tale of a dutiful and powerful servant who serves his chief admirably. However the chief fails in battle after battle against a pretender due to poor actions and planning. This powerful servant sees how the people of the land are suffering and chooses to kill the chief to save his people from his inept rule. From this story tale comes the Viardrmen term "Thowyrveeg" roughly meaning to fratricide. It is uncertain the complete connection between this tale and the story of Thorkyr Leifson. However, the tale's persistence and even the title of the second account of Thorkyr's life: The Saga of Thorkyr the unlucky may indicate that the connection is more likely that previously realized.  

Whichever the case, Jarl Frey Cnudson would pick up the broken pieces left in Thokyrsbudir, Hopf, and Fjaraland. His story summarized quite tersely in a single paragraph in the Siggurd Codex. "After organizing his forces, he would wage war against Haakon and defeat him on the foothills of Gasmensyi. From that point Jarl Cnudson the Idunn-Guided would rule Hopf and the Musphellands for many peaceful and prosperous [years]. He fathered 17 children by 3 wives [before] dying at the venerable age of 87."