Hi Laurel,
Thanks for the OED quotes !
If it means enchantment, as the quotes indicate,
then the last part is probably just "gaeldor" (sp)
which I understand was also used in OE (?)
(a gale is a wind)
Could the prefix si- then be the same as ON seid?
--> "Seiðgaldr".
That is all I can think of right now.
English has many words ending in -ry
e.g. "trickery", "witchery", "sorcery",
"all and sundry", "weaponry", "infantry".
"artillery", "gallery", "victory". And so it it is not
implausible that a word "gaeldry" might have been
formed from "gaeldor".

I hope these remarks will encourage you not to give it
up quite yet, because I find it not very convincing (yet).

Best regards
Xigung



--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, "Laurel Bradshaw" <llawryf@...>
wrote:

> From the OED. It does not give an etymology, however:
>
> Sigaldry:
> Obs. rare.
>
>
>
> Enchantment, sorcery.
>
> a1225 [see SIGALDER n.]. 13.. K. Alis. 7015 (W.), Quede and harme

he wil me spye,..Gef he wot of this sygaldrye [Laud trigoldrye] That
this trowes [= trees] kan lye. ?a1500 Chester Pl., Crucifixion (Shaks.
Soc.) II. 69 Burye hym wher thy wil be, But look thou make no sigaldry
To raise him up agayne.

>
> Sigalder:
>
> Obs. rare.
>
>
>
>
> A charm or incantation.
>
> c1000 Saxon Leechd. I. 388 Sye-ealdor ic begale, sie~yrd ic me

wee. a1225 Ancr. R. 208 Sigaldren [v.r. sigaldrie], & false teolunges,
leuunge on ore & of swefnes, & alle wichchecreftes.

>
>
>
> Hence sigalder v., to enchant, bewitch. Obs.
>
> 1303 R. BRUNNE Handl. Synne 503 ere was a wycche, and made a

bagge, A bely of leyr,..She sygaldryd so ys bagge bely at hyt ede and
soke mennys ky.