Skuld
{{Short description|Norn and Valkyrie in Norse mythology}}
{{about|the Norn in Norse mythology}}
Image:Faroe stamp 431 The Norns and the Tree.jpg depicting the norns (2003)]]
Skuld ("debt" or "obligation"; sharing etymology with the English "should") is a Norn in Norse mythology. Along with Urðr (Old Norse "fate"Orchard (1997:169).) and Verðandi (possibly "happening" or "present"Orchard (1997:174).), Skuld makes up a trio of Norns that are described as deciding the fates of people. Skuld appears in at least two poems as a Valkyrie.
''Poetic Edda''
Skuld is mentioned in Völuspá, a poem collected in the 13th century Poetic Edda:
| :Sá hon valkyrjur
:vítt um komnar, :görvar at ríða :til Goðþjóðar. :Skuld helt skildi, :en Skögul önnur, :Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul :ok Geirskögul. | :She saw valkyries :come from far and wide, :ready to ride :to Goðþjóð. :Skuld held a shield, :and Skögul was another, :Gunnr, Hildr, Göndul :and Geirskögul. |
''Prose Edda''
=''Gylfaginning''=
In the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, Snorri informs the reader that the youngest Norn, Skuld, is in effect also a valkyrie, taking part in the selection of warriors from the slain:
::These are called Valkyrs: them Odin sends to every battle; they determine men's feyness and award victory. Gudr and Róta and the youngest Norn, she who is called Skuld, ride ever to take the slain and decide fights."[http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm Gylfaginning] in translation by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur (1916), at Sacred Texts.
=''Nafnaþulur''=
In the Nafnaþulur addition to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda the following sections reference Skuld:
| :Mank valkyrjur
:Viðris nefna. :Hrist, Mist, Herja, :Hlökk, Geiravör, :Göll, Hjörþrimul, :Gunnr, Herfjötur, :Skuld, Geirönul, :Skögul ok Randgníð. :Ráðgríðr, Göndul, :Svipul, Geirskögul, :Hildr ok Skeggöld, :Hrund, Geirdriful, :Randgríðr ok Þrúðr, :Reginleif ok Sveið, :Þögn, Hjalmþrimul, :Þrima ok Skalmöld. | :I will recite the names :of the valkyries of Viðrir (Odin). :Hrist, Mist, Herja, :Hlökk, Geiravör :Göll, Hjörþrimul :Gunnr, Herfjötur :Skuld, Geirönul :Skögul and Randgníð. :Ráðgríðr, Göndul, :Svipul, Geirskögul, :Hildr and Skeggöld, :Hrund, Geirdriful, :Randgríðr and Þrúðr, :Reginleif and Sveið, :Þögn, Hjalmþrimul, :Þrima and Skalmöld. |
See also
Notes
{{reflist}}
References
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. {{ISBN|0-304-34520-2}}
{{Commons category-inline|Norse mythology}}
{{Valkyries}}
Category:Female supernatural figures in Norse mythology
Category:Time and fate goddesses
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