The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Alfhild

The Danish History, > Books I-Ix > War.

• attestation: Shield-maidens Alfhild, Sela, and Rusila fought as women-warriors in the North.

  "He describes shield-maidens, as Alfhild, Sela, Rusila"

The Danish History, > Book Five.

• attestation: Gotar's daughter was named Alfhild

  "the wedding-feast of Alfhild (this was his daughter's name) was being held"

• attestation: Alfhild was brought to Denmark and married Frode

  "Erik ended his voyage fairly, and the wedding of Alfhild and Frode was kept"

The Danish History, > Book Seven.

• attestation: Alfhild's father gave her a viper and snake to guard her chamber, decreeing any failed suitor would be beheaded and impaled on a stake

  "her father banished her into very close keeping, and gave her a viper and a snake to rear, wishing to defend her chastity by the protection of these reptiles"

• attestation: Alfhild's mother upbraided her for praising Alf's valour, accusing her of wanton eyes and judging beauty over virtue

  "the mother upbraided her sharply, that her chastity should be unstrung, and she be captivated by charming looks"

• attestation: Alfhild rejected Alf due to her mother's influence, exchanged woman's clothing for man's attire, and became a warlike rover

  "Alfhild was led to despise the young Dane; whereupon she exchanged woman's for man's attire, and, no longer the most modest of maidens, began the life of a warlike rover."

• attestation: Alfhild recruited like-minded maidens and was elected captain by a band of rovers who had lost their leader, chosen for her beauty

  "she happened to come to a spot where a band of rovers were lamenting the death of their captain, who had been lost in war; they made her their rover captain for her beauty"

• attestation: Alfhild sailed to Finland with her fleet and entered a narrow gulf where she encountered Alf's ships

  "they learnt that the harbour was being held by a few ships. For Alfhild had gone before them with her fleet into the same narrows."