Empire 264. Viking Greenland: Mysteries of the Lost Norse Settlers (Ep 2)
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Jun 16, 2025 
Eleanor Barraclough, an authority on Viking history and author of 'Embers of the Hand', joins to unravel the enigmatic fate of Viking settlers in Greenland. The discussion highlights their intriguing interactions with Inuit cultures and the eventual decline attributed to climate change. Barraclough also explores the clash of civilizations, from initial trade to conflicts, shedding light on the social upheaval that mirrored modern crises. The episode blends fascinating anecdotes and Viking mythology, enriching our understanding of this lost era.
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Nymphomaniac Giantess Queen
- Queen Eaglebeak, a nymphomaniac giantess, was a lover of both Thor and Odin.
- She plagued by insatiable lust after her encounters with Thor, highlighting Viking mythology's vivid supernatural characters.
Greenland's Hybrid Beliefs
- Greenland Norse settlers lived in a hybrid pagan-Christian world with conversion underway.
- Women often converted first, shifting social dynamics, as exemplified by Erik the Red's wife.
Vikings Traveled Further South
- Norse expeditions reached far beyond Newfoundland, evidenced by butternuts found at archeological sites.
- This suggests they traveled south to areas like the St. Lawrence River, expanding known Viking exploration.