ABSTRACT
1 SIVARD, king of the Götar, had two sons, Vemund and Osten, and a daughter, Alvild. Almost from her cradle she displayed such true modesty that she constantly veiled her face with her mantle to prevent her beauty arousing anyone’s passions. Her father kept her apart under strict guard and gave her two poisonous serpents to rear, intending that these reptiles should be protectors of her chastity when they at last came to full size; he also wished it to be clear that he would allow only men who were famous for their strength and valour to approach the virgin, after they had overcome these enormous hazards. The king added that, if any man made the attempt and failed, he would immediately have his head cut off and impaled on a stake, to discourage anyone else from being incited by his forward nature to venture on such a feat of presumption against royal blood.
King Sivard Alvild Custom of chaste women
Two serpents
Penalty added
