Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Jæren, Norway, and came to Iceland as a boy when his father was exiled for killings. Outlawed in turn for three years around 982, he sailed west to a land sighted earlier by Gunnbjörn, explored its south-west coast and named it Greenland to attract settlers. In about 985–986 he led 25 ships from Iceland, of which 14 arrived, and founded the Eastern Settlement, living as its chieftain at Brattahlíð. He remained pagan while his wife Thjodhild built a church.