Lecture #14: Europeans and Inuit in Medieval Greenland

by Brandon M. Bender
published on 30 September 2026

bookmark_addbookmark_addedSave Video

In this lecture, writer and historian Brandon M. Bender discusses the historical interactions between medieval Europeans (the Norse) and indigenous Arctic peoples (the Inuit and Dorset cultures) in Greenland. The Norse arrived from the east around 985 CE, while the Inuit migrated from the west, coexisting alongside the earlier Dorset culture. While written European accounts and Inuit oral traditions describe instances of conflict and raid-related deaths, modern archaeological and historical research shows no evidence of widespread warfare or genocide. Instead, evidence points to a relationship largely defined by trade and mutual isolation.

The Norse maintained a traditional European lifestyle, establishing farming settlements and even a Catholic bishopric. However, they disappeared from the written record after 1410 CE. The speaker explains that their eventual decline and isolation from Europe were driven by a worsening, erratic climate that disrupted farming and sailing, alongside political trade restrictions enforced by the Norwegian crown.

— BUY BRANDONS BOOK HERE —
The Viking Conquest of England: How Danish Monarchs Ruled from 1013-1042
by Brandon Michael Bender
https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1036194027

— SUPPORT US VIA OUR PATREON—
https://www.patreon.com/join/whencyclopedia

— BUY OUR MERCH —
https://www.worldhistory.store​/

— ATTRIBUTIONS —
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
https://www.ancientlyre.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A

World History Encyclopedia
www.worldhistory.org