The Flatey Book

This is a volume originally published in 1908, reproducing Icelandic documents suggesting that America had been discovered by the Norse as early as the tenth century and that Columbus was aware of those expeditions; as well as other pre-Columbian documents pertaining to America. There is an introductory text in English, and pages of reproductions of documents, typeset versions in Icelandic or Latin and English translations. It includes sagas that described the voyages to, and character of, the New Country, and letters from several Popes directing bishops in the government of the Church in the Western World from the years 1000-1492 - documents which establish beyond controversy the claim that North America was settled by Norsemen 500 years before the time of Columbus. All reproductions are by Royal Danish Sanction and the Papal Secretary of State. Though it abounds in contradictions, The Flatey Book (along with Hauk's Book - also included in part here) is the chief repository of facts concerning the North American Vinland voyages of the Norsemen. Completed around 1380, the actual manuscript of this collection of Icelandic sagas was presented to the Danish King in 1662. According to this version, Biarni Heriulfsson, on a voyage from Iceland to Greenland around 985, was blown off course and sighted new lands to the south-west. Fifteen years later Leif Ericsson set out from Greenland in search of the lands that Biarni had seen, and found them. These he named: Helluland (Flat-stone-land); Markland (Forestland); and Vinland (Wineland). After his return, successive expeditions visited the new lands. In all probability, the Vinland they discovered now belongs to some part of southern Nova Scotia (though some claim it for Rhode Island). This collection of manuscripts and translations into English and Danish is edited by Rasmus Bjorn Anderson (1846-1936). It is augmented and supported by several very interesting texts from the Vatican, about the Catholic Church in Ame