Awilda as depicted in The Pirates Own Book, published in 1837. In Gesta Danorum (Deeds of the Danes), Siward, (Sywardus, Synardus), was an ancient king in Gotaland, who had a daughter named Awilda, who became a legendary Viking pirate. To protect his daughter from unworthy suitors, Siward had her chamber guarded by a lizard and a snake. He said that if any man tried to enter it, and failed, his head was to be taken off and impaled on a stake. When Alf, a Danish prince, managed to defeat the animal guards, Siward told him that he would only accept him for his daughter's husband, if she agreed to the marriage. She ran away and joined a crew of cross-dressing women, who terrorized the Baltic coast. They encountered a crew of pirates who had lost their Captain and they elected her as their new leader. Her former betrothed, Prince Alf, was dispatched to bring the troublesome pirates to justice. He and his men were able to board their ship and gain the upper hand in the battle. Awilda was so impressed with the prince's courage that she revealed her true identity, and agreed to marry him. They married on board, and lived happily ever after as King and Queen of Denmark.