The name Gerðr appears in the Poetic Edda, a collection compiled during the 13th century from older oral traditions. Snorri Sturluson wrote about her in two books of the Prose Edda and in Heimskringla, another work from the same era. Skaldic poetry also contains references to this figure. Modern translators sometimes spell her name as Gerd or Gerth. Benjamin Thorpe published his translation of The Elder Edda of Saemund Sigfusson in 1866. Henry Adams Bellows released his version of The Poetic Edda in 1923.
Courtship Narrative
Freyr sat on the high seat Hlidskjalf and looked into all worlds. He saw a beautiful girl walking from the hall of her father Gymir to a storehouse. Her arms gave forth light that shone over all air and water. Freyr became heartsick for this maiden. His servant Skírnir rode a horse over nations and dew-covered mountains until he reached Jötunheimr. Ferocious dogs were tied before the wooden fence surrounding Gerðr's hall. Skírnir offered eleven golden apples to gain her favor. She rejected them and stated she would never be with him while they lived. Skírnir then threatened to cut off her head unless she agreed. He warned that she would sit on an eagle's mound facing Hel forever. Gerðr eventually said they would meet at Barri, a grove of tranquil paths. Nine nights hence, she promised to grant delight to the son of Njörðr.Euhemerized History
Chapter 12 of Ynglinga saga presents a prose account where Freyr was a much loved king in what is now Sweden. His wife was named Gerðr and their son was Fjölnir. After Freyr died, their son went on to become king. The family line known as the Ynglings continued through generations. A verse stanza found in chapter 16 of Haralds saga Gráfeldar mentions Gerðr in a kenning for woman. This text describes her as Gerðr-of-gold-rings. Lee Milton Hollander translated Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway in 2007.Etymology And Symbolism
Scholar John Lindow notes that Gerðr's name has been etymologically associated with earth and enclosures. The wedding of Gerðr and Freyr is commonly seen as the divine coupling of sky and earth or fertility god and representative of soil. Hilda Ellis Davidson comments that Gerðr's role in Skírnismál has parallels with the goddess Persephone from Greek mythology. She states that if Gerðr remains below in the dark kingdom of the underworld there will be nothing to hope for but sterility and famine. Andy Orchard published Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend in 1997. Rudolf Simek released Dictionary of Northern Mythology in 2007.