CHAPTER SIXTEEN ( 3 )

RULERS AS OFFSPRING OF

GODS AND GIANTESSES: ON

THE MYTHOLOGY OF PAGAN

NORSE RULERSHIP

Gro Steinsland

O

ne of the main themes in the theory of the probable sacral rulership of pagan
Scandinavia has been a genealogical one: the question of whether the king or the
earl was looked upon as the offspring of a god. A new aspect was added to the debate in
the 1990 s, which in several ways may influence the theory. It was argued that the
prototypic ruler was the offspring not only of a god, but of a giantess as well (Steinsland
1991 ). The further hypothesis is that the feminine element in the myth changes the
deeper meaning of the mythical pattern connected to Norse ideology of rulership. This
is a story about a myth of marriage, a so-called hieros gamos, a holy wedding, in different
variations well known from several other cultures. The Norse myth about the holy
marriage is, however, of a special structure and meaning.

THE HOLY WEDDING – HIEROS GAMOS

The source that most broadly unfolds the erotic myth or hieros gamos connected to
rulership is the Eddic poem Skírnismál. The protagonists are the god Freyr and the
giantess Gerðr. The poem tells that the vegetation god Freyr was enflamed by great
passion when taking his place in the high seat of Óðinn, from where he was able to look
all around the world and even into the Jo ̨tunheimar, ‘the domain of the giants’. There he
got a glimpse of the giant maiden Gerðr as she walked across the yard. Immediately
Freyr was filled by desire for the beautiful maiden. Though an alliance across the borders
of gods and giants would mean a cosmic threat, the servant of Freyr, Skírnir, was sent to
the world of the giants to make an offer of marriage on behalf of his master.
As a messenger Skírnir brings three specific objects: apples, a ring and a staff. Gerðr is
tempted by these highly valuable gifts: eleven golden apples shall be hers if she will
promise to give Freyr all her love. The gift is identical with the apples of the goddess
Iðunn, the fruits securing the youth and health of the gods. But Gerðr refuses to accept.
Skírnir then offers her the ring of Óðinn, called Draupnir. But Gerðr still refuses, proud
and independent as she is. To carry out his task, the messenger is forced to change his
attitude. On the third object, the staff, he writes terrible magical runes, able to bring
the maiden to madness and insanity. The threat alters the mind of Gerðr, and she
promises to meet Freyr for love in the grove called Barri after nine nights.