Exploration of New World ca. 1100?

Is there any way the New World could have been discovered and explored by the European powers somewhere around 1100 or so (as knowledge of Vinland spreads to other countries)? How would history have changed with more North American colonies in the 11th and 12th centuries?

Is this ASB?
 
It's not ASB in and of itself, as obviously IOTL Europeans were exploring the Americas earlier.

However, exploration in the 1100's is a lot harder than exploration in the 1500's. European maritime and navigational technology is very undeveloped. The greatest European sailors of the time, the vikings, had to island-hop to reach the Americas and even then they lost a horrendous amount of ships. If I remember correctly, of the 25 ships that left Iceland for the initial settlement of Greenland only 14 made it to the destination. So the voyage is long, arduous and dangerous, and goes through the 'choke point' of Greenland and Iceland as Europeans at this time could not make the direct voyage. Not only that, but the Medieval Warm period would end soon, so 1100-1200 is about the only window for European colonization before the weather makes the journey not worth it, even for the Norse.

In addition, there's not as much motivation for colonization. Trade with the Byzantines, the crusades, and even trade with the Mongols would give Europeans better access to spices and ivory in the Medieval Era than any purported westward passages to Asia. There's a much smaller population in Europe so less pressure for people to seek land elsewhere, and finally Islam is not seen as that much of a threat. Constantinople still stands strong, and the Muslim invasion of Iberia has petered out, so there's less Christian anxiety about any Muslim threat-and therefore less desire to seek out Prester John (the legendary Christian King in Asia or Africa, depending on who's telling the story) and new converts in faraway lands.
 
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There was a European expedition in the 1100s exploring Vinland. A bishop of Greenland, Eric Gnupsson went exploring. Probably didn't come back.

There was probably an official expedition in the 1360s. It was planned, funded and crewed...and then the Black Death stopmps all over the records. The notes from the expedition are mentioned in European sources for hundreds of years after though.

I think it would have been preferable if going to Vinland to cut out Greenland and go straight from Iceland. Reduction in iceberg danger would be worth it.

Twovultures is right though: Motive, motive motive. Educated Europeans in general knew about Vinland. It was just thought about as an island with a climate similar to Ireland, hostile natives and no products you couldnt get much safer and closer from Russia.

You need a draw. I did a TL once where the survival of Ogedei meant that the Mongol invasion of Europe continued, and Vinlands initial draw became "No mongols!"

Once there is a number of colonists, there will be a period when diseases mean that the natives can't engage in severe hostilities, and itll look more attractive.
 
Is there any way the New World could have been discovered and explored by the European powers somewhere around 1100 or so (as knowledge of Vinland spreads to other countries)? How would history have changed with more North American colonies in the 11th and 12th centuries?

Is this ASB?

Given that Lief Ericsson landed in the New World in 1006, no, it's not ASB. Have that information get to the rest of Europe early, give it a few centuries for ship tech to be upped, and then hope the rest keep going south when they do get there so as to have a usable climate.

Now, control over said areas is another matter.
 
Given that Lief Ericsson landed in the New World in 1006, no, it's not ASB. Have that information get to the rest of Europe early, give it a few centuries for ship tech to be upped, and then hope the rest keep going south when they do get there so as to have a usable climate.

The information was well known. What we need is a reason for Vinland to attract people above and beyond closer and safer destinations.
 
There was probably an official expedition in the 1360s. It was planned, funded and crewed...and then the Black Death stopmps all over the records. The notes from the expedition are mentioned in European sources for hundreds of years after though.

Very interesting. Where can I find more information about that expedition?
 
Very interesting. Where can I find more information about that expedition?


The commander was Paul Knutsson, with some varieties in spelling. I believe King Magnus commanded the expedition. I had some links saved from a TL I did long ago, but that was a different computer. There should be stuff on google:) The expedition has often been linked to the Kensington Runestone, though, so be prepared for a lot of sites that present that as a factual link, and an equal amount that debunk with a scattergun.


There seems to be no academic doubt that the expedition was ordered. A fransican monk on the expedition is said to have written the account of the expedition as the lost book "Invenio Fortunata"
 
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The commander was Paul Knutsson, with some varieties in spelling. I blieve King Magnus commanded the expedition. I had some links saved from a TL I did long ago, but that was a different computer. There should be stuff on google:)

Thank you.

"King Magnus of Norway and Sweden authorized the Paul Knutson expedition, which sailed in 1355 to explore conditions in Greenland and Vinland."
http://www.historyandtheheadlines.a...e.aspx?entryId=1171658&currentSection=1161468

"In 1354 King Magnus Erikson of Sweden and Norway issued a letter of protection (or passport) to Paul Knutson for a voyage to the Norwegian dependency of Greenland. The Western Settlement of Greenland had been found abandoned (but for some cattle) a few years earlier and it was believed the population had rejected the Church (and its ownership of the local farms, which had been gradually acquired in payment of various fees), reverted to paganism and gone to what is now known as North America.
In 1887 historian Gustav Storm mentioned the journey, suggesting it returned in 1363 or 1364."
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Kensington-Runestone
 
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