Gríðr (Old Norse: [ˈɡriːðz̠]; or Gríd) is a jötunn in Norse mythology. She is the mother of Víðarr the silent and the consort of Odin.[1]Saturn's moon Gridr was named after her.
The poetic Old Norse name Gríðr has been translated as "vehemence, violence, or impetuosity".[2][3][4] Its etymology is unclear.[2]
In Skáldskaparmál (The Language of Poetry), Gríðr is portrayed as equipping the thunder god Thor with her belt of strength, her iron glove, and her staff Gríðarvöl (Gríðr's-staff) on Thor's journey to the abode of Geirröðr.[1]
Thor lodged for the night with a giantess called Grid. She was Víðarr the silent's mother. She told Thor the truth about Geirrod, that he was a cunning giant and awkward to deal with. She lent him a girdle of might and some iron gauntlets of hers, and her staff, called Grid's pole.
— Snorri Sturluson, Skáldskaparmál, 18, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
Gríðr is also mentioned in a list of troll-wives ("I shall list the names of troll-wives. Grid and Gnissa, Gryla...").[5]
Gríðarvöl (Gríðr's staff) is also mentioned in the poem Þórsdrápa by the late-10th-century skald Eilífr Goðrúnarson.[6]
The feller of the dolphins of the steeps [giants] advanced with violent temper with Grid's pole.
— Eilífr Goðrúnarson, Þórsdrápa, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
Gríðr appears in 10th-century kennings for 'wolf' (the steed of troll-wife) and for 'axe' (that which is dangerous to the life-protector, i.e. shield or helmet).[7]
Battle raged when the feeder of Grid's steed [wolf], he who waged war, advanced with ringing Gaut's [Odin's] fire. Weird rose from the well.
— Kormákr Ögmundarson, Skáldskaparmál 49, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
Riders [seafarers] of Ræfil's land's [sea's] horses [ships] can see how beautifully engraved dragons lie just by the brow of the Grid of the life-protector.
— Einarr Skúlason, Skáldskaparmál 49, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
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".[8] A witch of the same name appears in Illuga saga Gríðarfóstra.[9]
Her role as the donor of information and necessary items to the hero has been analyzed by folklorists as a commonplace of folk narrative.[1]