Søren Norby was a adventurous danish privateer and naval warrior. Who, during the first years of the 16th century, earned a fortune and a great reputation as a leader of privateering.The danish king Kristian the second placed him on Gotland (the nordic Tortuga) in 1517 and he ruled the island as a king. After a expedition to Skåne and Blekinge in 1526, Norby had to give up all his possessions. He later did service for emperor Karl V and died in 1530 during a campaign against Florens. During his rule over Gotland he made war on the hansa and captured many of their ships. He also had coins made bearing his and Gotlands heraldry symbols.