Geirrod- Norse GiantGiant
Also known as: Geirröðr
Description
A giant who trapped Loki and extorted him into luring Thor to his hall without Mjölnir. When Geirröðr hurled a lump of molten iron across the hall, Thor caught it with borrowed iron gloves and hurled it back through the giant and through the wall behind him.
Mythology & Lore
Loki's Capture
In Snorri's Skáldskaparmál, Loki was flying in Frigg's falcon cloak when curiosity led him to perch on Geirröðr's hall. The giant seized the bird, and upon discovering it was Loki in disguise, locked him away. Geirröðr starved Loki for three months until the trickster agreed to lure Thor to Geirröðr's hall without his hammer Mjölnir or his belt of strength Megingjörð. Thor would come unarmed.
Gríðr's Warning
On the journey to Geirröðr's hall, Thor stopped at the home of the giantess Gríðr, mother of the silent god Víðarr. She warned Thor of the danger ahead and lent him her own iron gloves and her magical staff Gríðarvölr.
The Daughters' Attack
Upon arriving at Geirröðr's hall, Thor was seated on a chair that began rising toward the rafters. Geirröðr's daughters Gjálp and Greip were beneath the seat, trying to crush Thor against the ceiling. Thor braced Gríðr's staff against the rafters and pushed down. Both giantesses' backs broke.
Death
Geirröðr hurled a lump of molten iron at Thor from across the hall. Thor caught it with the iron gloves Gríðr had given him and hurled it back. The molten iron passed through the pillar Geirröðr hid behind and through the giant himself. Eilífr Goðrúnarson's Þórsdrápa retells the same episode in skaldic verse.