Freydís Eiríksdóttir
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Freydís Eiríksdóttir (born c. 965)
Saga of the Greenlanders
![]() | This section includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2022) |
The Saga of the Greenlanders is a crude version of the accounts that happened to the Norse in Vinland. Freydís' experiences in Vinland are relayed in Chapter 8 of this saga, which describes her as Leif Erikson's full sister.[2] This is the most famous account we have of Freydís.
After the success of expeditions to Vinland led by Leif Erikson,
In Vinland, there was tension between the two groups. Helgi and Finnbogi set up a settlement separate from Freydis and her crew. Freydis eventually went to the brothers'
When she returned to her husband, Freydís claimed that Helgi and Finnbogi had beaten her, and, calling him a
Freydís, to conceal her treachery, threatened death to anyone who told of the killings. She went back to Greenland after a year's stay and told her brother
Saga of Erik the Red
The Saga of Erik the Red was written after The Saga of the Greenlanders.[
Many of the Norsemen panicked, having never seen such weaponry. As men fled during the confusion, Freydís, who was eight months pregnant, admonished them, saying: "Why run you away from such worthless creatures, stout men that ye are, when, as seems to me likely, you might slaughter them like so many cattle? Let me but have a weapon, I know I could fight better than any of you."[3]: 29
Ignored, Freydís picked up the sword of the fallen Thorbrand Snorrisson[3]: 29 and engaged the attacking natives. Surrounded by enemies, she undid her garment and beat the sword upon her breast.[3]: 29 At this the natives retreated to their boats and fled. Þorfinnr and the other survivors praised her zeal.[3]: 30
In popular culture
Freydís features as a main character in many modern novels including
On television, Katia Winter portrayed Freydís in season 3 (2016–17) of the superhero TV series DC's Legends of Tomorrow episodes "Beebo the God of War" and "The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly".[citation needed] Frida Gustavsson portrayed Freydís in the 2022 Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla.[citation needed]
A limited-mintage two-ounce silver coin was issued for the South Pacific island country of Niue was announced in May 2021,[7] depicting Freydis storming ashore from a longship.
References
- ISBN 978-0-89356-430-8.
- ^ "The Saga of the Greenlanders". The Sagas of Icelanders: A Selection. Translated by Kunz, Keneva. London: Penguin. 2001. pp. 648–652.
- ^ a b c d e J. Sephton (1880). Eirik the Red's Saga: A Translation. Liverpool: D. Marples & Co.
- ^ "They Came On Viking Ships". Harper Collins Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Davine, Max. "Spirits of the Ice Forest". Tamarind Hill Press.
- ^ "Database of medieval Icelandic saga literary adaptations". Christopher W. E. Crocker. 2019-02-23. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
- ^ "Exclusive first look at Freydif Eiriksdottir, a superb silver coin starring the Viking daughter of Erik the Red", AgAuNEWS
Further reading
- Jesch, Judith (1991). Women in the Viking Age. Woodbridge: Boydell Press.
- Karlsson, Gunnar (2000). Iceland's 1100 Years: History of a Marginal Society. London: Hurst. ISBN 1-85065-420-4.
- Magnusson, Magnus; Pálsson, Hermann, eds. (2004) [1965]. Vinland Sagas. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-044154-9.
- Reeves, Arthur M.; et al. (1906). The Norse Discovery of America. New York: Norrœna Society.
- Thorsson, Örnólfur, ed. (2001). The Sagas of Icelanders. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-100003-1.