When Erik the Red settled in a land to the west of Iceland, he named it Greenland, saying that people would want to settle there if it had an attractive name. Recent environmental research has shown that the climate was warmer 1000 years ago.

Here the Vikings tried to maintain their hunting and livestock-raising lifestyle, though as the temperature became colder in the 13th century, hunting became more of a necessity to augment dwindling livestock.

Despite these hardships, the Norse Greenlanders clung to many traditions of Christian Europe. There were over 20 churches serving a peak population of around 3000. The church controlled trade, and bishops held most of the power.

Around A.D. 1450, the Norse society that had existed on the edge of the European world for almost 500 years mysteriously came to an end.