263. Viking Greenland: Erik The Red & Horny Zombies (Ep 1)

The podcast explores the Viking colonization of Greenland, starting with the initial Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon Britain around 793 AD, exemplified by the attack on Lindisfarne. It traces the shift from raiding to invasion and settlement, highlighting the establishment of the Danelaw and Viking kingdoms like Dublin. The discussion moves to the Norse expansion into Iceland around 871 AD, detailing the deforestation and the transition from Iceland to Greenland, driven by figures like Eric the Red. The podcast examines Norse life in Greenland, including their diet, trade with Norway involving valuable walrus ivory, and interactions with the Inuit, referred to as Skrælingar. A segment also delves into a saga involving a sickness outbreak and a "horny zombie," illustrating the blend of history and folklore.