The Saga of Vanadís, Völva and Valkyrja

temple, where Þór resides, sitting in his chariot with Þorgerður and Irpa to either side of
him. This connection to Þór might indicate that Gerður was really her name or title (as
Freyja is a title and name), but that in this case she was Lady of Þór and not Freyr,
although those two often have very similar qualities.
The story I am referring to in Flateyjarbók takes place after Earl Hákon has been
killed, and King Ólafur Tryggvason is taking over all of his possessions and worldly
power. To mark his own power and that of his new God and his son Jesu Christi, he has
broken into Freyr’s temple and taken an idol of Freyr and cut it to pieces in front of
Freyr’s devotees, Earl Hákon’s men. Guided by one of Hákon’s former followers,
Þorkell, he proceeds to another temple, in a grove deep in the woods.
Þar var búið eitt sæti harðla fagrt, og í því sæti sat ein kona, klædd harðla vel. Konungr spurði
hver kona sú væri. (Flateyjarbók I., 1945, pp. 452-453)
“There was a seat, decorated rather beautifully and in that seat there was a woman, dressed rather
well. The king asked who that woman might be”.
Þorkell tells him that the statue is Þorgerður Hölgabrúður, friend of Earl Hákon.
The king then strips the statue of her clothes and golden treasures, drags her outside and
ties her naked body to the tail of his horse. In that manner he rides to his men and asks,
“Who wants to buy a woman?”. They ask whose possession she is, and he answers that
since she has lost her dear husband, she is now in their custody.
“Sá hefir ok háttr verit um hríð, at höfðingjar þessa lands, hverr eftir annan, hafa hana helsti
mjök prísat, en nú er svá komit hennar högum, at hon mun hlíta verða várri forsjá.” (p. 453)
“For some time we have had a situation, where the chiefs of this land, one after another, have
adored her a bit too much, but now her situation is such that she has to abide by us”.
As the men look closer at the image, they recognize her, and one of them exclaims:
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