Gerd

Family: Jötuns · Role: daughter of Gymir · First appears: Elder Edda · The Journey or Lay of Skirnir

In the Lay of Skirnir, Frey saw Gerd at Jotunheim and became troubled because he longed for her. He sent Skirnir to court her; Skirnir struck her with a taming wand and threatened to subject her to his will. Gerd agreed to meet Frey at Barri nine nights later, saying, “Nine nights hence, there to Niord's son Gerd will grant delight.”

In the Lay of Hyndla, Gerd is identified as the daughter of Gymir and Aurboda, and as Frey’s wife. In the Fooling of Gylfe, Skirnir obtains her promise to come to Bar-Isle nine nights later and wed Frey; she is described there as Gymir and Orboda’s daughter.

Relationship record

Life events

• Frey saw Gerd and became troubled because he longed for her.(Elder Edda · The Journey or Lay of Skirnir · 📍 Jotunheim)
  • With: Frey
  • “Frey, son of Niord; had one day seated himself in Hlidskialf, and was looking over all regions, when turning his eyes to Jotunheim, he there saw a beautiful girl, as she was passing from her father's dwelling to her bower. Thereupon he became greatly troubled in mind.”
• Skirnir struck Gerd with a taming wand and threatened to subject her to his will.(Elder Edda · The Journey or Lay of Skirnir)
  • With: Skirnir
  • “With a taming-wand I smite thee, and I will tame thee, maiden! to my will. Thou shalt go thither, where the sons of men shall never more behold thee.”
• Gerd agreed to meet Frey in the grove and grant him delight.(Elder Edda · The Journey or Lay of Skirnir · 📍 Barri)
  • With: Frey
  • “Barri the grove is named, which we both know, the grove of tranquil paths. Nine nights hence, there to Niord's son Gerd will grant delight.”
• Frey took Gerd as his wife.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Hyndla)
  • With: Frey
  • “Frey to wife had Gerd,”
• Gerd is stated to be Gymer and Orboda’s daughter.(Younger Edda · The Fooling of Gylfe · Chapter XI · The Giantess Gerd and Skirner's Journey)
  • With: Gymir
  • “Their daughter was Gerd, the fairest of all women.”
• Gerd promises to come to Bar-Isle and wed Frey.(Younger Edda · The Fooling of Gylfe · Chapter XI · The Giantess Gerd and Skirner's Journey · 📍 Bar-Isle)
  • With: Skirnir Frey
  • “Skirner went on his journey, courted Gerd for him, and got the promise of her that she nine nights thereafter should come to Bar-Isle and there have her wedding with Frey.”

Elder Edda · The Journey or Lay of Skirnir

• admirer: Frey “In Gymir's courts I saw walking a maid for whom I long.”
• courtship with Frey “Nine nights hence, there to Niord's son Gerd will grant delight.”

Elder Edda · The Lay of Hyndla

• married with Frey “Frey to wife had Gerd,”
• parent: Gymir “she was Gymir's daughter,”
• parent: Aurboda “she was Gymir's daughter, from Jotuns sprung and Aurboda;”

Younger Edda · The Fooling of Gylfe · Chapter XI · The Giantess Gerd and Skirner's Journey

• parent: Gymir “Their daughter was Gerd, the fairest of all women.”
• parent: Aurboda “Gymer hight a man whose wife was Orboda, of the race of the mountain giants. Their daughter was Gerd, the fairest of all women.”
• admirer: Frey (Skirner courted Gerd on Frey's behalf.) “Skirner went on his journey, courted Gerd for him, and got the promise of her that she nine nights thereafter should come to Bar-Isle and there have her wedding with Frey.”
• engaged with Frey “Skirner went on his journey, courted Gerd for him, and got the promise of her that she nine nights thereafter should come to Bar-Isle and there have her wedding with Frey.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Eddas. Made with Rho MD.