This article is about the Norn in Norse mythology. For other uses, see Skuld (disambiguation).
...and the youngest Norn, she who is called Skuld, ride[s] ever to take the slain and decide fights. Faroe stamp by Anker Eli Petersen 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"[1]) and Verðandi (possibly "happening" or "present"[2]), 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."[3]
Media related to Norse mythology at Wikimedia Commons
