The Norse settlers arrived in the two areas of Greenland’s southwest coast during a warm period which was the season crops. For food, wool, and hides, hardy and sheep were raised. Goods that couldn't be produced locally were traded for walrus ivory, which was the Greenland’s main export. It was a dependency of Norway’s king in 1261. It was divided into two main settlements which were Vestbygd and Austbygd , due to the growth of the population. There were many churches and a cathedral was at Gardar. The archdiocese of Nidaros was where the bishopric of Catholic was submitted to while some bishops chose to run that office from a distance. The decline of Greenland was due the failure of crops as the climate changed and the declination of trading.
