Explorers -Early (1000-1450)

T have started with the Vikings.
By 870 AD there was a Norsemen/Viking settlement in Iceland. A 100 years later ErIk the Red, ventured across to Greenland.
His son Leif Erikson, Leiv Eiriksson or Leif Ericson, also known as Leif the Lucky (c.970- c.1020) was born in Iceland, is thought to have been the first to set foot on continental North America around 1000 AD - he reached as far as Newfoundland, Canada.

William of Rubruck, Willem van Ruysbroeck, Guillaume de Rubrouck or Willielmus de Rubruquis (c.1215-1295) was a Flemish Franciscan Missionary and explorer. He is best known for his travels to various parts of the Middle East and Central Asia in the 13th century,including the Mongol Empire.

Marco Poplo (1254-1324) -nicknamed Milione a Venetian merchant,explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. In his book The Travels of Marco Polo (c. 1300) he gives us a comprehensive look at the mysterious culture and inner workings of the Eastern world of China, Persia, India, Japan and other Asian cities. (Map shows extent of his travels)

Ibn Bayyuta (an abbeviation of his full name -See ‘His Name’) (1304-1368/9) was a Muslim Moroccan scholar and explorer who travelled extensively( 117,000 km) in the lands of Afro-Eurasia, largely in the lands of Dar al-islam.( see map). Travelling more than any other explorer in pre-modern history. Towards the end of his life he dictated an account of his journeys - The Rihla.

Zheng He (1371-1433or5) originally born as Ma He -known as 'Sanbao during his service in the household of the Prince of Yan - was Chinese mariner, explore, diplomat, fleet admiral and court eunuch during China’s early Ming dynasty. He commanded expeditionary treasure voyages to South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia and east Africa form 1405 to 1433.