Map of Norse Colonies, 1753.
The Norse, or the Vikings, explored and colonized North America, starting in the 8th century. They colonized Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and Maine.
Colonies[]
Iceland[]
Iceland was the first place colonized by the Norse. Even though the Celtic Union colonized much of Iceland there was still some territory for them. Vikings settlers arrived in 765, basing their route on the Celtic ships. The Norse colonized the northern part of the island and the Celtic people colonized the southern. The first settlement, known as the Northern Iceland Settlement, traded supplies with the Celtic settlement to the south, which has been there for almost 300 years. The Norse colony shipped a steady supply of wood and food back to Scandinavia. The population at the settlement at 805 was 2200, and some of the people there had never even seen their homeland. All the people at the Norse settlement knew how to fight and practiced regularly. As Norse settlements went to farther and farther to the west, the Iceland settlement became and important port. Many ships heading for the colonies to the west came here to stock up, and ships coming from the west unloaded there goods here.
Greenland[]
Greenland was the next place for Norse colonization. After a decade of colonizing Iceland the Norse looked to there west. In 778 Norse settlements started on the southern coast of Greenland. Once again the Celtics were there and the Norse traded with them. Like Iceland, a steady supply of lumber and food came from Greenland. In 800 Norsemen led expeditions into the Northern part of Greenland, as a result of a big population. The expeditions returned and reported that there was only mountains and lumber up there. The Norse people at first thought colonization up there was possible friendly Natives, ancestors of the Inuit, showed them them how to survive. The Norse did not listen at first as they thought the Natives were inferior, after the Celtics listened and used their techniques to surviving and set up colonies in the north the Norse decided to use their techniques too. The settlements at Greenland, as a result of living there longer and knowing how to survive, managed to stay there during the Little Ice Age. During the Northeastern Brendania War (Brendania was the name given to the Americas by the Celtic Union and the name stuck) the Norse used the large supply of lumber to their advantage by constructing a large fleet that landed in the west coast of New Mali.
Vinland[]
Norse colonists landing in Vinland.
Vinland was the third Norse colonies. In 830 the first Viking ships arrived in OTL Newfoundland, and the land was named Vinland, the Land of Wine. Vinland was not a peaceful place, as war with the Dorset people existed. In this timeline the Vikings manage to defeat the Dorset people with the help of the Celtic Union. After initially settling on the coast, the Vikings explored further inland. By 833 they colonized all of the island. Among the many things coming from Vinland were lumber, food, and wine. The main source of food came from the many pastures of Vinland. The coasts of the island became ports and many ships docked there. Wine became one of the main exports of Vinland and soon wine came to Greenland and Iceland. Vinland also became an important military base during wars as ships could resupply and head to battle. Vinland also was headquarters of further expeditions into North Brendania, more specifically, Markland and Helluland.
Markland[]
Markland was the first Norse colony on mainland North Brendania. After colonizing Vinland the Norse noted that Vinland was tiny compared to the great mass of Markland. Starting after 855 the Norse sent expeditions into Markland looking for anything valuable. The expeditions proved that a great number of valuable things could be found, including a lot of lumber and water. The first Norse colony in Markland was along the coast. The town had easy access to Vinland and many settlers came from Vinland to Markland. The town also was headquarters to expeditions heading east. The settlements soon went farther and farther inland. The expeditions proved to be true as their was many lumber and water. Many settlements also sprung up around the OTL St Lawrence River, where many explorers wanting to go west came as the river could take them west. Fishing was the main industry on the river and many fish came to Markland markets. Markland also brought war to the Vikings. The native Dorset people fought the Vikings and would have won if the Celtic union hadn't aided the Norse. By 920 the Norse had colonized most of mainland eastern Canada.
Helluland[]
After colonizing Markland in 920 the Norse discovered an island to the north. The Norse sent expeditions there and discovered that even though it was very cold settlements could be started there. The first settlements on the island were on the southeastern coast. The settlements there managed to survive the cold winters. Explorers went inland to try to learn what was there. One of the explorers, Thorvald Asvaldsson, discovered an ice cap in the central part of the island, now known as the Asvaldsson Ice Cap. This drew many people there to get a look at. These people sometimes stayed at settlements near the lakes on the island: Nettilling Lake and Amadjuak Lake. Settlements grew around these lakes as fishing was possible. Soon explorers explored more and more of the island. In 965 the first person to reach the northeastern part of the island was the son of Advaldson, Erik the Red. He discovered mountains in the northeastern part of the island and the mountains are named in his memory: the Red Mountains. The mountains did become red in 980 during the last stage of the Helluland War. The Norse and the Dorset clashed but the Norse defeated the Dorset. The Dorset retreated to the mountains where the Norse finally forced them off the island, forcing them west.
Kensington[]
After colonizing Markland and Helluland the Vikings began to look across the Great Lakes. Starting in 985 the Norse began exploring these Great Lakes, with the leader of later expeditions Leif Ericson, grandson of Thorvald Asvaldson and son of Erik the Red. After exploring the Lakes he finally reached a place he could start a colony: Kensington. The first settlement survived the winter but came under relentless assaults from Native Brendanians (OTL Native Americans) the Norse decided to vacate the area. Because of the Natives forcing Leif to leave he vowed to have revenge. In 1002 he led ships with soldiers against the Natives. Arriving there, he began to battle the Natives. He mainly battled with ancestors of the Anishinaabe and Sioux tribes. In the Battle of Little Creek, Leif was killed in a slaughter by the Natives. The Natives however were eventually forced to retreat to the Dakotas. In Scandinavia and Norse settlements Leif Ericsson is thought as of a martyr.
Timeline[]
765: The first Norse settlers arrive in Iceland.
778: The Norse start colonizing Greenland.
800: Expeditions are sent to explore the northern parts of Greenland.
803: Settlements are started in northern Greenland.
805: The population at the Norse settlement at Iceland reaches 2000.
830: Ships reach the coast of North Brendania, and the first settlement on the continent (Vinland, OTL Newfoundland) is started.
833: All of Vinland becomes under Norse control.
845: The first expedition into Markland (OTL Eastern Canada) begins.
855: The Norse begin to colonize the coast of Markland.
920: Most of Markland has been explored and or colonized by the Vikings.
923: Settlements begin on the southern coast of Helluland (OTL Baffin Island).
950: Thorvald Asvaldsson discovers the Asvaldsson Ice Caps in the central part of Helluland.
965: Erik the Red becomes the first Norsemen to reach the northwestern part of Helluland.
966: The Helluland War begins between the Dorset and the Norse.
980: The Helluland War ends.
985: Exploration of the Great Lakes begins.
1000: Leif Ericsson becomes leader of the Great Lakes expeditions.
1001: The settlement of Kensington is founded by Leif. However, the settlers leave after relentless assaults by the Natives.
1002: Leif Ericsson is killed near Kensington in the Battle of Little Creek.
1004: The Natives are finally defeated by the Norse, and they relocate to the Dakotas.
1005: The settlement of Kensington is re-started.
1994: Independence is given to Vinland, Markland and Helluland. The new nations merge together to become Markland.