Lindworms were supposedly very large and ate cattle and bodies, sometimes invading churchyards and eating the dead from cemeteries. Ancient Europeans believed Lindworms symbolized war and pestilence. The creature is also called a Lindworm snake.
Marco Polo reported seeing Lindworms on the steppes of Central Asia. He described them as, "Swifter than it looks. Easily able to take down a man on a galloping horse." They were sighted most frequently in Germany and the Americas.
In the tale of "Prince Lindworm", from Sweden, a hideous lindworm is born, as one of twins, to a queen, who, in an effort to overcome her childless situation, has followed the advice of an old crone. The second twin boy is perfect in every way. When he grows up and sets off to find a bride, the lindworm insists that a bride be found for him before his younger brother can marry. Since he eats each new bride they bring him, this creates a slight problem for the kingdom until a shepherd's daughter is brought to marry him, and through her courage, saves the day.