In process of time the Christians in Greenland multiplied to such an
extent, both by conversions and by the immigration from Iceland, that it
was found necessary, in the beginning of the twelfth century to take
some measures for the better government of the church, especially as
they could not hope much for regular visits from the bishops of Iceland.
They therefore resolved to make an effort to secure a bishop of their
own. Eric Gnupson, of Iceland, was selected for the office, and
proceeded to Greenland about the year 1112, without being regularly
consecrated. He returned to Iceland in 1120, and afterwards went to
Denmark, where he was consecrated in Lund, by Archbishop Adzer. Yet he
probably never returned to his duties in Greenland, but soon after
resigned that bishopric and accepted another,[33] thus leaving Greenland
without a spiritual director.
In the year 1123, Sokke, one of the principal men of Greenland,
assembled the people and represented to them that both the welfare of
the Christian faith and their own honor demanded that they should follow
the example of other nations and maintain a bishop. To this view they
gave their unanimous approval; and Einar, son of Sokke, was appointed a
delegate to the court of King Sigurd, of Norway. He carried a present of
ivory and fur, and a petition for the appointment of a bishop. His
mission was successful, and in the year 1126 Arnald, the successor of
Eric,[34] came into Greenland, and set up the Episcopal seat at
Gardar.[35] Torfæus and Baron Holberg,[36] give a list of seventeen
bishops who ruled in Greenland, ending with Andrew. The latter was
consecrated and went thither in 1408, being never heard of afterwards.
The history of Old Greenland is found in the _Ecclesiastical Annals_,
and consists of a mere skeleton of facts. As in Iceland and Norway there
was no end of broils and bloodshed. A very considerable trade was
evidently carried on between that country and Norway, which is the case
at the present time with Denmark. As the land afforded no materials for
ships, they depended in a great measure upon others for communication
with the mother countries, which finally proved disastrous.