Thrud- Norse GodDeity

Also known as: Þrúðr and Thrudr

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Domains

strength

Description

The dwarf Alvíss came to claim her hand in marriage, but Thor kept him answering riddles through the night until dawn turned the suitor to stone. Named "Strength," she is Thor and Sif's daughter, counted among both the Ásynjur and the valkyries.

Mythology & Lore

Daughter of Thor

Þrúðr's name means "strength" in Old Norse. She is the daughter of Thor and Sif. The þulur list her among the Ásynjur, and the Prose Edda names her among the valkyries. Beyond these lists and a single story, nothing else survives.

The Dwarf at the Door

The Eddic poem Alvíssmál tells how the dwarf Alvíss came to claim Þrúðr as his bride. The match had been promised while Thor was away. Thor returned to find the suitor at his door and was not pleased. He called Alvíss too pale, like someone raised among the dead.

But Thor did not reach for his hammer. He told the dwarf that if Alvíss could answer his questions about the names all beings use for things in the world, the marriage could proceed. Alvíss, whose name means "All-Wise," obliged eagerly. He named what gods call the earth, what elves call the sky, what dwarves call the sun.

The questions kept coming. Thor asked and asked, and Alvíss answered and answered, until dawn broke through the hall. Sunlight struck the dwarf and turned him to stone.

Relationships

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