Editing Gerðr (section)

===''Prose Edda''===
[[File:Skirnir beschwört Gerda ihm zu folgen by Karl Ehrenberg.jpg|thumb|''Skírnir Persuades Gerðr to Follow Him'' (1882) by [[Karl Ehrenberg]].]] 
In chapter 37 of the ''[[Prose Edda]]'' book ''[[Gylfaginning]]'', Gerðr is introduced by the enthroned figure of [[High, Just-As-High, and Third|High]] as the daughter of Gymir and the mountain jötunn Aurboða, and is described as "the most beautiful of all women". High reports that Freyr went into [[Hlidskjalf]] and looked over all worlds. When Freyr looked to the north he saw a distant homestead with a large and magnificent building. A woman went to the building, and when she lifted her arms and opened the door to the building "light was shed from her arms over both sky and sea, and [[Norse cosmology|all worlds]] were made bright by her". In punishment for "his great presumption" in having sat in the holy seat, Freyr went away filled with grief.<ref name=FAULKES31>Faulkes (1995:31).</ref>

Freyr arrives home and neither sleeps nor drinks, remaining in silence. No one dares speak to him. The god [[Njörðr]] sends Freyr's servant [[Skírnir]] to speak to Freyr. Freyr tells Skírnir that he saw a beautiful woman, so beautiful that he was filled with grief and that he would soon die if he could not have her. Freyr tells Skírnir that he must go gain her hand on his behalf—whether the woman's father agrees or not—and he will be rewarded. Skírnir replies that he accepts the mission but only in exchange for Freyr's sword, which can fight on its own. Freyr gives him the sword and Skírnir sets off. Skírnir asks for the woman's hand for Freyr and receives her promise. Nine nights later she is to meet with Freyr at a location called [[Barey]]. Skírnir delivers the news to Freyr and Freyr responds with the final stanza from the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''Skírnismál'', lamenting that he must wait.<ref name=FAULKES31-32>Faulkes (1995:31—-32).</ref>

At the beginning of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'', eight goddesses are listed as attending a feast held by [[Ægir]] on the island of [[Hlesey]] (now [[Læsø]], [[Denmark]]), including Gerðr.<ref name=FAULKES31>Faulkes (1995:31).</ref> In chapter 19, different ways of referring to the goddess [[Frigg]] are provided. One of these names is "rival of Gerðr";<ref name=FAULKES86>Faulkes (1995:86).</ref> however, this is probably a scribal error (see "Theories" section below). In chapter 57, various goddesses are listed, including Gerðr (between [[Snotra]] and [[Gefjon]]).<ref name=FAULKES157>Faulkes (1995:157).</ref>