The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Geirrod

Contents > Chapter Ii: Odin

• attestation: King Hrauding's sons Geirrod and Agnar went fishing as boys and were blown to sea by a storm, stranding on an island where Odin and Frigga were disguised as an old couple.

  "One day these little lads went fishing, and a storm suddenly arose which blew their boat far out to sea, where it finally stranded upon an island, upon which dwelt a seeming old couple, who in reality were Odin and Frigga in disguise."

• attestation: As the boat neared shore, Geirrod pushed Agnar back into the sea and told him to go to the evil spirit; Agnar was carried away while Geirrod succeeded his father on the throne.

  "as the boat neared the strand Geirrod quickly sprang out and pushed it far back into the water, bidding his brother sail away into the evil spirit's power. At that self-same moment the wind veered, and Agnar was indeed carried away, while his brother hastened to his father's palace with a lying tale as to what had happened to his brother. He was joyfully received as one from the dead, and in due time he succeeded his father upon the throne."

• attestation: Geirrod bound the disguised Odin (going by the name Grimnir) between two fires for eight days and nights without food.

  "he allowed his love of cruelty full play, and commanded that the stranger should be bound between two fires, in such wise that the flames played around him without quite touching him, and he remained thus eight days and nights, in obstinate silence, without food."

Contents > Chapter Iv: Thor

• attestation: Geirrod kept Loki caged for three months without food until he revealed his identity and was released by promising to bring Thor unarmed to Geirrod's hall.

  "Attracted by the bird's bright eyes, Geirrod looked closely at it and concluded that it was a god in disguise, and finding that he could not force him to speak, he locked him in a cage, where he kept him for three whole months without food or drink. Conquered at last by hunger and thirst, Loki revealed his identity, and obtained his release by promising that he would induce Thor to visit Geirrod without his hammer, belt, or magic gauntlet."