‘After this, Njord of Noatun had two children. The son was called Frey and the daughter Freyja. They were beautiful and powerful. Frey is the most splendid of the gods. He controls the rain and the shining of the sun, and through them the bounty of the earth. It is good to invoke him for peace and abundance. He also determines men’s success in prosperity. Freyja is the most splendid of the goddesses. She has a home in heaven called Folkvangar [Warriors’ Fields]. Wherever she rides into battle, half of the slain belong to her. Odin takes the other half, as it says here:
Folkvang it is called, and there Freyja decides the choice of seats in the hall. Half the slain she chooses each day, and half belong to Odin.
(The Lay of Grimnir. 14)
‘Her hall, Sessrumnir [With Many Seats], is large and beautiful. When she travels, she drives a chariot drawn by two cats. She is easily approachable for people who want to pray to her,1 and from her name comes the title of honour whereby women of rank are called frovur or ladies.2 She delights in love songs, and it is good to call on her in matters of love.’
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She is easily approachable… pray to her : This clause is somewhat unusual in Old Icelandic. A second translation might be: ‘She most successfully fulfils the desires of people who pray to her.’ ↩
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from her name… title of honour… ladies : Fróva , later frú , meaning lady, appears to be a loan word from Low German. ↩