Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir facts for kids

A statue of Gudrid with her son Snorri.

Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir (born around 980) was a famous Icelandic explorer. She was born in Laugarbrekka, Iceland.

Gudrid is a key figure in the Vinland sagas. These are old stories like the Saga of Erik the Red and the Saga of the Greenlanders. She and her husband, Thorfinn Karlsefni, traveled to a place called Vinland. Their son, Snorri Thorfinnsson, was born there. He is thought to be the first European baby born in the Americas, outside of Greenland.

In Iceland, Gudrid is often called víðförla. This means "wide-fared" or "far-travelled." It shows how much she journeyed.

Gudrid's Early Life and Journeys

Gudrid was the daughter of a leader named Thorbjorn. One story says a young man wanted to marry her. But her father said no because the man's father was a slave.

Gudrid and her father then sailed to Greenland. They went with Erik the Red. About 30 other people joined them. Their journey was hard because of bad weather. Many people got sick, and half of them died. But Gudrid and her father arrived safely in Greenland during the winter.

Another story says Gudrid was already married to a merchant named Thorir. Leif Erikson rescued Gudrid and 15 men from a small island. He brought them to Brattahlíð in Greenland. Thorir died there from an illness that winter.

Gudrid and Christianity

Gudrid's story also shows how people changed from the old Norse religion to Christianity. One winter, Gudrid and her father were at a feast. A seeress, a woman who could see the future, came to visit. She needed women to sing special songs for her magic.

Gudrid was the only one who knew the songs. Her foster-mother had taught her. But Gudrid said she didn't want to help. She told them, "I am a Christian woman." But the seeress and the host convinced her. They said it would help everyone and not harm her faith. Gudrid sang the songs very well.

Marriages and Travels

According to both sagas, Gudrid later married Thorstein Eiriksson. He was Leif Erikson's younger brother and Erik the Red's son. One story says Gudrid went with Thorstein to Vinland. He wanted to find his brother Thorvald's body.

They spent the winter with another couple. But illness struck again. Thorstein and the other wife died. Before he died, Thorstein told Gudrid about her future. He said she would marry an Icelander. They would have a long life and many children. He also said she would travel to Norway and then Iceland. After a trip to the south, she would return to Iceland. A church would be built near her farm there.

Another story says Thorstein went to Vinland alone. Gudrid married him after he returned. In this version, Thorstein also died and told Gudrid about her future. He also spoke about the importance of Christianity.

After Thorstein's death, Gudrid moved back to Brattahlíð. There, she married Thorfinn Karlsefni. He was a respected merchant from a good family.

Journey to Vinland and Snorri's Birth

After they married, Gudrid encouraged Thorfinn to try and settle Vinland. They set out with 60 men, five women, and many animals. While in Vinland, Gudrid and Thorfinn had a son. They named him Snorri Thorfinnsson. Snorri was the first European baby born in the Western Hemisphere.

Snorri was born between 1005 and 1013. When he was three years old, the family left Vinland. This was because of problems with the local people. The settlers called them Skrælingar. The family then returned to Iceland.

Later Life and Pilgrimage

Gudrid became a Christian. When her son Snorri got married, Gudrid went on a long journey. She traveled all the way to Rome. Some people think she might have even spoken with the Pope there. But there is no proof of this.

While she was away, Snorri built a church near their home. This fulfilled the prediction Thorstein had made. When Gudrid came back from Rome, she became a nun. She lived in the church as a hermit, a person who lives alone for religious reasons.

Gudrid's Family Tree

Gudrid's son, Snorri Thorfinnsson, had two children. They were a daughter named Hallfrid and a son named Thorgeir. Hallfrid was the mother of Thorlak Runolfsson, who became a bishop in Iceland. Thorgeir was the father of Yngvild. Yngvild was the mother of the first Bishop Brand. Another one of Gudrid's descendants, Bjorn Gilsson, also became a bishop.

This chart shows some of Gudrid's family:

Memorials

There is a statue of Gudrid made by Ásmundur Sveinsson in 1938. It was first shown at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Today, you can see copies of this statue in Glaumbær, Iceland. Other copies are in Laugarbrekka, Iceland, and in Ottawa, Canada. The statue shows Gudrid in a boat, holding her son Snorri on her shoulder.

See also

In Spanish: Guðríðr Þorbjarnardóttir para niños