Character guide

Kristin Lavransdatter

major

Also known as Kristin, Loptsgaard Kristin, little Kristin, Kristin Sigurdsdatter, Kristen

Headstrong daughter of Lavrans, central protagonist whose love for Erlend drives the plot.

Erlend Nikulaussön

major

Also known as Erlend, Erlend of Husaby

Passionate knight who becomes Kristin's lover and later husband, bringing scandal.

Lavrans Björgulfsön

major

Also known as Lavrans, Holy Cross Lavrans Björgulfsön

Kristin's devout and loving father, a respected landowner at Jörundgaard.

Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter

supporting

Also known as Ragnfrid

Kristin's mother, burdened by grief and a strained marriage to Lavrans.

Lady Aashild Gautesdatter

supporting

Also known as Lady Aashild of Haugen, Aashild, Moster Aashild

Wise and worldly aunt to Erlend, known for her healing arts and past scandal.

Simon Andressön

supporting

Also known as Simon Darre, Simon, Truly Simon

Honorable suitor of Kristin who later marries her sister Ramborg.

Brother Edvin

supporting

Also known as Edvin, Jörundgaard Brother Edvin

Kindly wandering friar who befriends Kristin and offers spiritual counsel.

Eline Ormsdatter

supporting

Also known as Eline

Erlend's former mistress, whose past threatens his relationship with Kristin.

Ulvhild Lavransdatter

minor

Also known as little Ulvhild, Ulvhild

Kristin's younger sister, crippled by an accident and later dies young.

Ingebjörg Filippusdatter

minor

Also known as Ingebjörg, the flighty Ingebjörg

Kristin's lively friend at the convent, later a nun.

Arne Gyrdsön

minor

Also known as Arne, VI Arne

Loyal farmhand at Jörundgaard, secretly in love with Kristin.

Sira Eirik

minor

Also known as Eirik

Local priest at the church near Jörundgaard, a trusted spiritual figure.

Sir Munan Baardsön

minor

Also known as Munan, Sir Munan, Dumpy Munan

Erlend's worldly and scheming uncle, involved in political intrigues.

Bentein Priestson

minor

Also known as Bentein, Bentein Priest

Troublemaking son of a priest, who causes conflict for Kristin's family.

Lady Groa Guttormsdatter

minor

Also known as Groa, the Lady Groa

Wealthy widow and relative of Lavrans, hostess at a key gathering.

Sir Björn

minor

Also known as Björn, Björn Gunnarsön

Knight and friend of Erlend, involved in his adventures.

Sira Sigurd

minor

Also known as Sigurd, Saksulvsön

Priest at the convent where Kristin stays, stern but fair.

Sister Potentia

minor

Nun at Nonneseter convent, teacher and supervisor of the novices.

Aasmund Björgulfsön

minor

Also known as Aasmund

Lavrans's younger brother, a priest and later bishop.

Sister Cecilia Baardsdatter

minor

Also known as Cecilia, Sister Cecilia

Nun at Nonneseter, relative of Erlend, helps Kristin.

King Haakon the Old

minor

Also known as King Haakon, Haakon

Aging king of Norway, appears briefly in court scenes.

Sir Erlend

minor

Also known as Erlend

Erlend's father, mentioned but appears in flashback.

Inga of Finsbrekken

minor

Also known as Inga, Finsbrekken

Poor woman who nurses Ulvhild after her accident.

Father Ingjald

minor

Also known as Ingjald, our reverend Father Ingjald

Monk and spiritual advisor to Lavrans and his family.

Sir Andres Gudmundsön

minor

Also known as Sir Andres, Andres, Andres Darre

Simon Darre's father, a wealthy landowner.

Tordis

minor

Servant woman at Jörundgaard, loyal to the family.

Trond Ivarsön of Sundbu

minor

Also known as Trond Ivarsön, Trond

Ragnfrid's brother, a gruff but supportive uncle to Kristin.

Sir Baard Petersön

minor

Also known as Baard, Sir Baard

Knight and friend of Erlend, accompanies him on travels.

Gyrd

minor

Son of Lavrans's neighbor, briefly a suitor to Kristin.

Didrek

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, involved in farm work.

Halvdan

minor

Farmhand at Jörundgaard, loyal to Lavrans.

Ramborg

minor

Also known as little Ramborg

Kristin's younger sister, later marries Simon Darre.

Isrid

minor

Servant woman at Jörundgaard, helps raise the children.

Ulf Haldorsön

minor

Also known as Ulf

Erlend's loyal servant and companion, later a friend to Kristin.

Brynhild Fluga

minor

Also known as Brynhild, Fluga

Woman at a feast who gossips about Kristin and Erlend.

Old Gunhild

minor

Also known as Gunhild

Elderly servant at Jörundgaard, known for her wisdom.

Helga

minor

Young servant girl at Jörundgaard, companion to Kristin.

Guldsveinen

minor

Nickname for a mysterious man who appears at a wedding.

Sister Astrid

minor

Also known as Astrid

Nun at Nonneseter, kind to Kristin during her stay.

Lady Halfrid

minor

Widow and friend of Lady Aashild, hosts a gathering.

Lady Angerd

minor

Woman at a feast, gossips about Kristin's scandal.

Sira Jon

minor

Also known as Jon, old Jon

Priest at a nearby church, performs marriages.

Sigurd of Loptsgaard

minor

Also known as Sigurd, Loptsgaard

Neighbor and friend of Lavrans, a landowner.

Queen Margret Skulesdatter

minor

Also known as Margret, Queen

Queen of Norway, appears briefly at court.

Lady Ingebjörg Haakonsdatter

minor

Also known as Ingebjörg, Lady Ingebjörg in Sweden

Swedish noblewoman, mentioned in political context.

Sir Laurentius

minor

Also known as Laurentius, the Lagmand

Lawman and judge, appears in a legal matter.

Ivar Sir Alfsön

minor

Also known as Ivar

Son of a knight, briefly a suitor to Kristin.

Gunnulv

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, helps with farm tasks.

Tomas

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, accompanies Kristin on trips.

Lady Katrin

minor

Also known as Lady Katrin the Ready-witted

Witty noblewoman at a feast, comments on Kristin.

Gyrid of Skog

minor

Also known as Gyrid, Skog

Woman from a neighboring farm, appears at a gathering.

Trond Gjesling

minor

Also known as Trond

Member of the Gjesling family, involved in a feud.

Björgulv

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, mentioned in passing.

Steinulv

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, helps with errands.

Geirhild Drivsdatter

minor

Woman from a distant farm, briefly mentioned.

Gissur Arnfinsön

minor

Also known as Gissur

Man from a neighboring district, appears in a legal matter.

Ivar Gjesling

minor

Member of the Gjesling family, mentioned in a feud.

Canon Martein

minor

Church official, appears in a religious context.

King Magnus Haakonsön

minor

Also known as King Magnus

Son of King Haakon, briefly mentioned as heir.

King Inga

minor

Also known as Inga

Historical king, mentioned in passing.

Duke Eirik

minor

Also known as Duke

Norwegian duke, appears briefly in court.

Haftor

minor

Servant at Jörundgaard, mentioned in passing.