Svipdag is the hero of the two Old Norse poems, Grogaldr and Fjolsvinnsmal, which are contained within the body of one work, Svipdagsmál. Svipdag is set a task by his stepmother to win the hand of the giantess Mengloth in marriage. In order to accomplish this he summons, by means of necromancy the shade of his dead mother, Groa, a volva, to cast nine spells for him. This she does and he duly arrives at the castle where he is interrogated in a game of riddles by the watchman, from whom he conceals his true name. Ultimately he learns that the castle is occupied by Mengloth and the gates will only open to one person: Svipdag. On revealing his identity, the gates of the castle open and Mengloth greets her saviour and, one presumes, they all lived happily ever after.
Swipdag, helped by the incantations of his dead mother, whom he had raised from the dead to teach him spells of protection, sets forth on his quests.
The third journey of Swipdag is undertaken on Frey's behalf; he goes under the name of Scirner to woo giant Gymer's daughter Gerth for his brother-in-law, buying her with the sword that he himself had paid to Frey as his sister's bride-price.
Swipdag's wife cursed the conqueror, and he was obliged to institute an annual sacrifice to Frey (her brother) at Upsale, who annuls the curse.
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