# II explained — The Bridal Wreath > Chapter companion for The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset. ## What happens Kristin accompanies her father Lavrans on a journey to Skog, their ancestral manor, which he is about to trade away. Along the way, they stop in Hamar, where Kristin visits the cathedral and meets Brother Edvin, who shows her a stunning stained-glass window. The chapter explores Kristin's growing awareness of adult concerns and her lingering memory of the Elf-maid. ## Themes in this chapter ### Family and Duty Lavrans' decision to trade Skog for Formo is driven by duty to his family's future, while Ragnfrid's anxiety reflects maternal care. ### Religion and Morality The chapter is steeped in religious imagery and practice, from mass and shrift to the stained-glass window that evokes the heavenly kingdom. ### Nature and the Supernatural Kristin's memory of the Elf-maid persists, blending natural beauty with supernatural allure, and her longing for the journey is tied to this vision. ## Character check-ins ### Kristin Lavransdatter Accompanies her father on the journey to Skog; experiences awe and wonder at the cathedral in Hamar. ### Lavrans Björgulfsön Plans to trade Skog for Formo; takes Kristin on the journey and attends mass and shrift at the cathedral. ### Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter Anxious about Kristin's journey; prepares her daughter for the trip and gives her instructions. ### Brother Edvin A Minorite monk who shows Kristin the stained-glass window in the cathedral and cares for a sick peasant. ### Trond Ivarsön of Sundbu Ragnfrid's brother, who visits more often than usual to discuss Lavrans' land dealings. ### Canon Martein The priest who conducts mass and shrift at the cathedral; shows Lavrans and Kristin the building work. ## Key lines > Each summer it was Lavrans Björgulfsön’s wont to ride southward and see to his manor in Follo. These journeys of her father were landmarks of each year in Kristin’s life⁠—the long weeks while he was gone, and the joy of his homecoming with brave gifts: fine outlandish stuffs for her bride-chest, figs, raisins and honey-bread from Oslo⁠—and many strange things to tell her. Every summer, Lavrans traveled south to his estate in Follo, and these trips marked the rhythm of Kristin's year—she missed him during his absence and delighted in his return, when he brought exotic fabrics, sweets, and stories. _Establishes the annual pattern of Lavrans' journeys and their significance to Kristin._ > But this year Kristin marked that there was something more than common afoot toward the time of her father’s going. ’Twas put off and off; the old men from Loptsgaard rode over at odd times and sat about the board with her father and mother; spoke of heritage, and freehold and redemption rights, and hindrances to working the estate from so far off, and the bishop’s seat and the King’s palace in Oslo, which took so much labour from the farms round about the town. This year, Kristin noticed unusual activity: her father delayed his departure, and men from Loptsgaard came to discuss legal and practical matters about land, inheritance, and the demands of the bishop and king. _Highlights the adult concerns that Kristin is beginning to perceive._ > And then she knew she was to go with her father, and she sprang up in bed and shrieked with gladness. Her mother came over to her and stroked her cheek: “Are you so glad then, my daughter, you are going so far from me?” When Kristin realized she would accompany her father, she jumped up joyfully, but her mother gently questioned her happiness at leaving. _Shows Kristin's excitement and Ragnfrid's bittersweet feelings._ > Right over against her on the nave’s south wall stood a picture and shone as if it were made of naught but gleaming precious stones. The many-hued flecks of light upon the wall came from rays which stood out from that picture; she herself and the monk stood in the midst of the glory; her hands were red as though dipped in wine; the monk’s visage seemed all golden, and his dark frock threw the picture’s colours softly back. Kristin saw a stained-glass window that glowed like jewels, casting colored light on her and Brother Edvin, making her hands appear red and his face golden. _Describes the transcendent beauty of the stained glass and its impact on Kristin._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters