 In the Prose Edda , written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson , valkyries are first mentioned in chapter 36 of the book Gylfaginning , where the enthroned figure of High informs Gangleri ( King Gylfi in disguise ) of the activities of the valkyries and mentions a few goddesses . High says " there are still others whose duty it is to serve in Valhalla . They bring drink and see to the table and the ale cups . " Following this , High gives a stanza from the poem Grímnismál that contains a list of valkyries . High says " these women are called valkyries , and they are sent by Odin to every battle , where they choose which men are to die and they determine who has victory " . High adds that Gunnr ( " war " ) , Róta , and Skuld — the last of the three he refers to as " the youngest norn " — " always ride to choose the slain and decide the outcome of battle " . In chapter 49 , High describes that when Odin and his wife Frigg arrived at the funeral of their slain son Baldr , with them came the valkyries and also Odin 's ravens . 
