Shild the Sheaf-Child was the first King of Sjaelland, reigning during the 5th century. Shild was the first of the Scyldings, and he was known for being a brave king who forced those around him to pay tribute to his dynasty.
Born an abandoned child, Shild traveled to Denmark alone and led robber bands, forcing earls to pay tribute and terrorizing people across the seas. Shild sent his Scyldings on boats and had them attack foreign lands for money, and Shild became a respected monarch. When he died, he was laid to rest on a treasure-laden longboat, which was then cast into the sea and ignited with arrows. His family would rule over Sjaelland for years. Beowulf the Dane succeeded Shild.