Gríðr


Gríðr often anglicized as Gríd, is a jötunn in Norse mythology. She is the mother of Víðarr the silent and the consort of Odin. Saturn's moon Gridr was named after her.

Name

The poetic Old Norse name Gríðr has been translated as "vehemence, violence, or impetuosity". Its etymology is unclear.

Attestations

Prose Edda

In Skáldskaparmál, Gríðr is portrayed as equipping the thunder god Thor with her belt of strength, her iron glove, and her staff Gríðarvöl on Thor's journey to the abode of Geirröðr.
Gríðr is also mentioned in a list of troll-wives.

Skaldic poetry

Gríðarvöl is also mentioned in the poem Þórsdrápa by the late-10th-century skald Eilífr Goðrúnarson.
Gríðr appears in 10th-century kennings for 'wolf' and for 'axe'.

Other texts

Saxo Grammaticus refers to her as Grytha, the wife of the legendary king Dan I of Denmark, "a lady whom the Teutons accorded the highest honour". A witch of the same name appears in Illuga saga Gríðarfóstra.

Theory

Her role as the donor of information and necessary items to the hero has been analyzed by folklorists as a commonplace of folk narrative.