Grimhild

Family: Gjukungs · Role: queen · First appears: Elder Edda · The First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, or Gripir's Prophecy · Part 2

In the First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, or Gripir’s Prophecy, Gripir foretells that Grimhild will beguile Sigurd and urge him to seek Brynhild as a bride for Gunnar. He also foretells that Gudrun will be furious when her brothers resolve on Sigurd’s death, calling it “Grimhild's work.”

In the Fragments of the Lay of Sigurd and Brynhild, Grimhild is named as Giuki’s wife and as mother of Gudrun, Gunnar, Hogni and Guthorm. Her drink makes Sigurd forget his love and vows to Brynhild, and she counsels Gunnar to woo her, consulting Sigurd about the plan. In the Second Lay of Gudrun, she gives Gudrun a potion to make her forget her injuries, then offers her wealth and proposes that she marry Atli.

Relationship record

Life events

• Gripir foretells that Grimhild will beguile Sigurd and urge him to seek Brynhild for Gunnar.(Elder Edda · The First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, or Gripir's Prophecy · Part 2)
  • With: Gripir Sigurd Gudrun Brynhild Gunnar
  • “Thee will Grimhild wholly beguile; she will implore thee Brynhild to demand for the hand of Gunnar, king of Goths: the journey thou wilt forthwith promise to the king's mother.”
• Gripir foretells that Gudrun's brothers will resolve on Sigurd's death, to Gudrun's fury.(Elder Edda · The First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, or Gripir's Prophecy · Part 2)
  • With: Gripir Gudrun Gunnar Guthorm Hogni Sigurd
  • “Then will Gudrun be furious at heart, when her brothers shall on thy death resolve. In nothing then will that wise woman take delight. Such is Grimhild's work.”
• Grimhild's drink makes Sigurd forget his love and vows to Brynhild.(Elder Edda · Fragments of the Lay of Sigurd and Brynhild · Part 1)
  • With: Sigurd Brynhild
  • “He took it and drank, and with that drink forgot both his love and his vows to Brynhild.”
• Grimhild counsels Gunnar to woo Brynhild and consults Sigurd about the plan.(Elder Edda · Fragments of the Lay of Sigurd and Brynhild · Part 1)
  • With: Gunnar Sigurd Brynhild
  • “Grimhild now counselled her son Gunnar to woo Brynhild, and consulted with Sigurd, in consequence of this design.”
• Grimhild gave Gudrun a potion that made her forget her injuries.(Elder Edda · The Second Lay of Gudrun)
  • With: Gudrun
  • “Grimhild to me brought a potion to drink cold and bitter, that I my injuries might forget;”
• Grimhild offered Gudrun wealth and proposed that she marry Atli.(Elder Edda · The Second Lay of Gudrun)
  • With: Gudrun Atli
  • “Over Budli's wealth thou alone shalt rule, adorned with gold, and given to Atli.”

Elder Edda · The First Lay of Sigurd Fafnicide, or Gripir's Prophecy · Part 2

• child: Gudrun “Prince! thou wilt be snared in another's wiles, thou wilt pay the penalty of Grimhild's craft; the bright-haired maiden, her daughter, she to thee will offer.”

Elder Edda · Fragments of the Lay of Sigurd and Brynhild · Part 1

• child: Gunnar “Grimhild now counselled her son Gunnar to woo Brynhild, and consulted with Sigurd, in consequence of this design.”
• child: Hogni “They had three sons, Gunnar, Hogni, and Guthorm.”
• child: Guthorm “They had three sons, Gunnar, Hogni, and Guthorm.”
• child: Gudrun “Gudrun was the name of their daughter.”
• married with Giuki “King Giuki, whose wife was named Grimhild.”

Elder Edda · The Second Lay of Gudrun

• child: Gudrun “Lands I will also give thee, people and followers, Vinbiorg and Valbiorg, if thou wilt accept them; for life possess them, and be happy, daughter!”

Elder Edda · The Groenland Lay of Atli · Part 3

• child: Gudrun “Grimhild's daughter will not conceal it from thee.”

Younger Edda · Poetical Diction · The Niflungs and Gjukungs · Part 2

• married with Giuki “His wife was called Grimhild, and their children were Gunnar, Hogne, Gudrun, Gudny; Gothorm was Gjuke’s step-son.”

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