Skuld (the name possibly means "debt" and is related to the English word "should") is a Norn in Norse mythology. Along with Urðr (Old Norse "fate") and Verðandi (possibly "happening" or "present"), 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.
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. |
