Freydis Eiriksdottir is a contentious individual from Norse History. She has been portrayed by some sources as a brave warrior and headstrong woman, while others describe her as cruel, cunning, and bloodthirsty. Some have even raised doubts about whether she even existed at all.
Freydis Eiriksdottir was born in Iceland in 965 CE to Erik the Red, one of the most famous Viking warriors in history. Her brother, Leif Erikson, is credited to be the first European to explore the coastal areas of North America, described as Vinland. The name of Freydis was forever carved into the Norse legend after she followed in her brother’s footsteps and sailed to Vinland.
While Leif Erikson was the son of Erik the Red and his wife, Freydis was born to Erik and an unknown woman. Therefore, she lacked the prestige that Leif Erikson enjoyed due to her illegitimate birth.
It is said that Freydís joined the Viking expedition to Vinland and lived with the rest of the group when they settled in the area.
Some researchers suggest that the group may have created a settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland at least 500 years earlier than Columbus’ arrival in North America.
This speculation is based on the discovery of artifacts such as spindles, which are typically associated with women by archaeologists.
One of the most known women in Viking history, Freydis Eiriksdottir appears in two Vinland sagas, the Saga of the Greenlanders and the Saga of Erik the Red.
Freydis Eiriksdottir in the Saga of the Greenlanders
The Saga of the Greenlanders, written in the 13th or 14th centuries, describes the Viking expedition to Vinland around 1000 C.E. and portrays Freydís Eiríksdóttir as an unpredictable murderess.
The saga presents Freydís as a conceited woman who married her husband Thorvard for money. It is thought that her love for wealth drove her to accompany two Icelandic merchants, Helgi and Finnbogi, on the voyage to Vinland.
However, Freydís secretly included five extra fighters on her ship to turn a larger profit on the trip than her brothers. Her greed quickly caused problems between her and her siblings, who expected to share the profits equally. Despite her brothers’ warning that she was difficult to deal with, Freydís continued to cause trouble.
The saga recounts how she tricked Finnbogi into giving her his large ship before returning home, falsely claiming her brothers had beaten her. She convinced her husband to avenge her by threatening him with separation if he did not do so.
In response, Freydís’s husband slaughtered her brothers and their men. Freydís then killed five women there using an ax after her husband and soldiers refused to kill women.
Upon the Vikings’ return, rumors of her actions reached her brother, Leif Erikson, leading to Freydís being seen as a social outcast for the rest of her life.
Some scholars believe that the portrayal of Freydís as a cruel and manipulative killer is the result of Christian propaganda depicting her as one who lacked conservative Christian values.
Freydis Eiriksdottir in the Saga of Erik the Red
The Saga of Eirik the Red is believed to have been written in the 13th century and it portrays Freydís Eiríksdótti in a more sympathetic manner compared to the The Saga of the Greenlanders.
In this Norse saga, Freydís is depicted as being part of a Viking expedition to Vinland, where they encountered Indigenous people known as “skrælings.” Despite their initial peaceful intentions, the interaction turned violent.
During the attack, while Freydís was eight months pregnant, many men fled from their camp in fear. However, Freydís encouraged them to stay and fight, stating that they could easily defeat the “worthless creatures.”
Even though her companions fled, Freydís fought alone with a sword that she had taken from a dead man from their company. To scare off the skrælings, Freydís beat her naked breast with the sword. This version of the legend shows Freydís as a brave warrior rather than someone who instigates violence using her femininity.
Conclusion
Freydis Eiriksdottir’s story is a fascinating tale of adventure and courage. Her legacy has been a point of debate and scrutiny for many years, with some sources condemning her actions while others praise her bravery.
Despite the conflicting accounts, one thing we can agree upon is that Freydis Eiriksdottir was a strong-willed individual who left a lasting impact on Viking history.
Her journey to Vinland and participation in a Viking expedition as a woman, regardless of her character, is commendable. The story serves as a reminder of the significant role women played in history.