Awilda's Story

Awilda

Awilda was the daughter of a 5th-century Scandinavian king; referred as Synardus and a "Gothic king". It is said that the King, her father, had arranged a marriage for her to Alf, the crown prince of Denmark, whose father was King Sygarus of Denmark. However, Awilda refused her father's choice. She and some of her female friends dressed like sailors and commandeered a ship. While sailing, they came across a pirate ship that had recently lost its captain, and the pirates elected Awilda as their captain. The King of Denmark sent his son and a navy ship to battle with the "irksome" pirates. Prince Alf and his men were able to board their ship and gain the upper hand in the battle. Apparently, Awilda was so impressed with the prince's courage that she revealed her true identity, and agreed to marry Alf. They married on board, and lived happily ever after as King and Queen of Denmark.

Though her origins may lie in the distant past of the MIYC, Awilda's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of sailors, inspiring them to embrace the spirit of exploration and camaraderie that defines their shared love for the sea. And as the sun sets on another day of sailing, Awilda stands tall among her fellow sailors, a timeless symbol of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit.