Gerðr

"Fenced-in." A giantess, daughter of Gýmir. Freyr had one day seated himself in Hliðskjálf, and was looking over all regions, when he turned his eyes to Jötunheimr and saw there a beautiful girl as she was passing from her father's dwelling to her bower, with arms that "gave forth light wherewith shone all air and water." He falls in love with her and sends his servant Skírnir to Jötunheimr in order to woo her for him. The wooing of Gerðr is recounted in the eddic poem Skírnismál.

It is only after long bargaining and cajoling — not to mention threatening her with curses — that Gerðr agrees to meet with Freyr at a place called Barri. Gerðr's marriage to Freyr elevates her to the status of one of the Ásynjur. She is present at the banquet held in honor of Ægir.

According to Völuspá hin skamma, found in Hyndluljóð, her mother is the giantess Aurboða, and Snorri Sturluson concurs, stating that she was of the stock of Hill-Giants. He says of Gerðr that she was "fairest of all women."

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