1106 - Sven Svenson The Cursed Knight

Born in England, he followed his father in his adventures. When he died in 1094, he became the new king of Vinland.

But secretly he always hated life in Vinland. His dream is to recover his father's lands in England and live as a lord.

When he learned that the new king of England, Henry I (1068-1100-1135), was open to the former renegade, he left for Europe in 1104 with two of his sons, Harold (21) and Gyrth (17 years). His eldest, Wulfnoth (26), remains in Vinland as regent.

Arriving in England, Sven fails to obtain a royal audience. It is far too poor and Vinland is poorly known there.
Sven and his sons, however, enlist in the royal army which lands to retake Normandy in 1106. During the battle of Tinchebray, the three men perform heroic wonders. The battle is won but Harold is killed.

But Henry I notices this action and agrees to listen to Sven. Impressed by his story, the king agrees to give him a land in exchange for Vinland. Finally Sven is made Knight of Crewkerne, land which is taken from that of the Abbey of St Laurent in Caen (also called Abbaye des Hommes). The abbey recovers Vinland.

Another condition was that all members of the Svenson family had to leave Vinland and return to Europe. It is therefore 55 people, brothers, sisters, bastards and all their families who leave Vinland in August 1109. All will perish in a storm in the North Sea.

When Sven learns this terrible news, he succumbs to grief in 1111. His only heir, Gyrth, succeeds him then.