Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History
Vinland
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  • Cast of Characters
  • Erik Thorvaldsson, "Erik the Red"

  • Thjodhild Jorundardaughter

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  • Thyrker

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Thyrker the Southerner, (Tyrkir Suğrmağr – the German)

Thyrker was a German slave who accompanied Leif on his Vinland expedition. Leif addressed him as fostri, often translated as “foster father.” However, in this context it means ‘home slave,’ a slave who took care of things at home, including children.

Chapters in Books

  • , [Thyrker in] The Saga of the Greenlanders, The Sagas of Icelanders: A Selection, preface by Jane Smiley, introduction by Robert Kellogg, 2000
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