Awilda: Tale of a Pirate Queen

The legend of Awilda is a remarkable and unique tale within Viking lore. A Scandinavian princess pirate who defied the will of her family, Awilda stands firmly among the shieldmaidens of Scandinavian mythology, and alongside the storied exploits of fellow buccaneers like Mary Read and Anne Bonny.

So, why did this Viking princess take to the high seas? How much of the story is fact or fiction? Read on to uncover the enigmatic journey of Awilda.

As legend has it, Awilda, often spelt Alwilda, was the daughter of King Siward of the Goths. Her beauty and noble birth made her a sought-after bride, with suitors lining up for a chance to win her hand. However, Awilda’s story took a dramatic turn when she rejected an arranged marriage with Prince Alf of Denmark, a decision that set her on a path to becoming the ‘pirate princess’.

In some versions of the story, the rejection was due to her dislike of Prince Alf, possibly influenced by her mother’s disapproval, or her own desire to remain free from marital bonds. This decision marked the beginning of her transformation from a Scandinavian princess to a Scandinavian pirate, highlighting her defiance of tradition and family expectation.

According to legend, to escape the confines of her royal duties and an unwanted marriage, Awilda disguised herself as a man and fled with a group of like-minded women. This band commandeered a ship and set sail, embracing the life of piracy. The legend states that Awilda and her companions soon encountered a pirate ship in need of a leader, and, impressed by her regal demeanour, the crew elected her as their captain. Thus, Alwilda pirate princess was born, steering her new crew into the annals of history and legend.

Life as Alwilda the pirate princess was marked by adventure and defiance. Disguised as a man, she led her crew in raids across the seas, challenging the norms of the time which typically reserved such roles for men. The stories of Alwilda’s buccaneering ventures are sparse and sensational, with some accounts detailing successful raids and battles. Her leadership of what became a mixed-gender crew is particularly notable, as it defied the typical image of Viking raiders from the era. Indeed, the exploits of this mysterious pirate were said to be so daring and successful that they caught the attention of Prince Alf, who then set out to capture her.

The climax of Awilda’s story comes with Prince Alf’s relentless pursuit. Determined to capture this infamous pirate, he eventually caught up with her small but effective fleet. According to legend, during a fierce battle, Alf boarded Awilda’s ship. It was only then that he discovered her true identity, as she was disguised in male attire.

The legendary tale concludes with Alf and Awilda’s union, where her capture ended not with punishment but with marriage, making her the queen of Denmark.

This ending has been interpreted in various ways. Some accounts suggest that Awilda was impressed by Alf’s determination and strength, leading her to accept him as her husband. Others imply a more tragic end, where Awilda, despite her fierce independence, was ultimately subdued by societal norms and returned to a life she once fled.

There’s little to no evidence of the existence of the Gothic Princess Awilda. The first known mention of this Scandinavian princess pirate is in Gesta Danorum, literally “Deeds of the Danes,” a 13th-century compendium of Norse mythology and semi-legendary Danish history. Written by Saxo Grammaticus or “Saxo the Literate,” Awilda’s tale is contained in the 7th of 16 volumes. Grouped with other love stories and depictions of female warriors, also known as shieldmaidens, this is generally considered to be a work of fiction.

Other mentions of Awilda are few and far between. The tale appears in Olaus Magnus’s History of the Northern Peoples and Charles Ellms’s 19th-century The Pirates Own Book. However, there is little consistency between any of these texts.

The story of Awilda, as recorded in various historical texts, presents several inconsistencies, including:

Chronological Discrepancies

Gesta Danorum appears to have placed the story in the Viking Age, whereas later accounts placed her era in the fifth century. This inconsistency reflects the shifting contexts in which her story was retold, possibly to suit the cultural and historical understanding of different times.

Variations in Names

There’s a seemingly endless variety of spellings of the names in the story. This is mostly due to different translations of the original Latin text, but some of the differences are significant. Awilda is also known as Alwilda, Alvilda, and even as Alfhild. King Siward is also known as Sywardus, Synardus, and Sivard. These variations complicate the historical verification of the tale and reflect the story’s transmission across different cultures and languages.

Alwilda’s tale endures as a captivating challenge to history’s conventional gender roles and explores female agency in a patriarchal society. As a Scandinavian princess who became a pirate, her story fascinates not only for its dramatic narrative but also for its insights into the cultural and social norms of the Viking Age.

The enduring appeal of Awilda’s story lies in its dual nature as both a romantic adventure and a tragic tale of a woman striving for autonomy in a world which sought to constrain her. Whether viewed as a historical figure or a legendary character, Awilda embodies the spirit of resistance and the quest for freedom that continues to inspire.

The legend of Awilda, or Alwilda, the pirate queen, remains a poignant reminder of the adventurous stories of Scandinavian folklore and history. Her tale, filled with daring exploits and complex characters, offers a unique perspective on the Viking Age. Yet, whether Awilda was a genuine historical figure or merely a creation of legend, the truth may remain forever elusive.