Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
"Kristin Lavransdatter," a trilogy written by Sigrid Undset, is set in 14th-century Norway and follows the life of its titular character, Kristin, as she navigates the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations. Born into a prominent family, Kristin enjoys a happy childhood until her life becomes intertwined with challenges stemming from her passionate nature and the tumultuous events of her time. The story begins with her betrothal to Simon Andresson, which she tries to escape after falling in love with Erlend Nikulaussön, a man with a troubled past. Their relationship leads to a series of personal and familial conflicts, especially as Erlend's ambitions and actions create unrest in their lives.
As Kristin matures into adulthood, she grapples with motherhood, managing her household, and dealing with the fallout of political instability in Norway. Her journey is marked by love, loss, and the struggle for agency in a patriarchal society. The narrative crescendos with the devastating impact of the Black Plague, which ultimately claims the lives of her loved ones and serves as a poignant backdrop to her story. Undset's work delves deeply into the themes of fate and the human condition, showcasing Kristin's resilience in the face of adversity. This rich historical narrative not only reflects the societal norms of its time but also emphasizes universal themes of love, duty, and personal sacrifice.
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
First published: 1920–22; includes Kransen (1920; The Bridal Wreath, 1923), Husfrue (1921; The Mistress of Husaby, 1925), Korset (1922; The Cross, 1927)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Historical realism
Time of plot: Fourteenth century
Locale: Norway
Principal Characters
Kristin Lavransdatter ,Lavrans Björgulfsön , Kristin’s father and the owner of JörundgaardRagnfrid Ivarsdatter , Kristin’s motherUlvhild andRamborg , Kristin’s sistersErlend Nikulaussön , the owner of HusabySimon Andresson , the son of a neighboring landownerLady Aashild , Erlend’s auntNikulaus (Naakve) , ,Björgulf , ,Gaute , ,Skule , ,Ivar , ,Lavrans , ,Munan , andErlend , the sons of Erlend and Kristin
The Story
Lavrans Björgulfsön and his wife, Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter, are descended from powerful landowners. Although Kristin was born at her father’s manor, Skog, she spends most of her childhood at Jörundgaard, which falls to Lavrans and Ragnfrid upon the death of Ragnfrid’s father. Kristin’s childhood is exceedingly happy.
A second daughter, Ulvhild, is crippled at the age of three. Lady Aashild, a declared witch-wife, is sent for to help the child. Kristin becomes well acquainted with Lady Aashild that summer.
When she is fifteen years old, Kristin’s father betrothes her to Simon Andresson of Dyfrin. One evening, Kristin slips away to bid good-bye to a childhood playmate, Arne Gyrdson. On her way home, Bentein, Sira Eirik’s grandson, accosts her. She escapes after a fight with him, physically unharmed but mentally tortured. Later that year, Arne is brought home dead after fighting with Bentein over Bentein’s sly insinuations regarding Kristin. Kristin persuades her father to put off the betrothal feast and permit her to spend a year in a convent at Oslo.
Soon after entering the Convent of Nonneseter, Kristin and her bed partner, Ingebjorg Filippusdatter, go into Oslo to shop, accompanied by an old servant. When they become separated from the old man, they are rescued by a group of men riding through the woods. In that manner Kristin meets Erlend Nikulaussön, the nephew of Lady Aashild. In July, Kristin and Erlend meet once more at the St. Margaret’s Festival and that night vow to love each other. The following morning, Kristin learns from Ingebjorg of Eline Ormsdatter, whom Erlend stole from her husband, and by whom Erlend had two children. Later that summer, while visiting her uncle at Skog, Kristin and Erlend meet secretly, and Kristin surrenders to Erlend. During the following winter, Kristin and Erlend manage to meet frequently. In the spring, Kristin tells Simon of her love for Erlend and her desire to end their betrothal. He agrees, much against his will. Lavrans and Ragnfrid unwillingly accept Kristin’s decision.
When Erlend’s kinsmen bring suit for Kristin’s hand in marriage, Lavrans refuses. During the winter Erlend and Kristin plan to elope to Sweden. While they are making their plans at Lady Aashild’s home, Eline overtakes them. Discovered by Erlend when she is trying to give poison to Kristin, she stabs herself. Erlend and Sir Bjorn, Lady Aashild’s husband, put her on a sled and take her south to be buried. Kristin returns home.
The following spring Erlend’s relatives again make a bid for Kristin’s hand, and worn out with suffering—Ulvhild’s death and Kristin’s unhappiness—Lavrans agrees to the betrothal. During Erlend’s visit at Whitsuntide, Kristin becomes pregnant. On the night of the wedding, Lavrans realizes that Kristin already belongs to Erlend. He gives to Erlend what Erlend already possesses.
After her marriage Kristin moves to Erlend’s estate at Husaby. She is quick to notice the neglect everywhere evident. In the next fifteen years she bears Erlend seven sons—Nikulaus, Björgulf, Gaute, the twins Ivar and Skule, Lavrans, and Munan. At the same time she struggles to save her sons’ inheritance by better management of Husaby. Erlend, however, is intent on becoming a great man; he sells land to pay his expenses and grants tenants free rent in exchange for supplies for his military musters.
Simon Andresson lives at Formo with his sister Sigrid and his illegitimate daughter, Arngjerd. Simon makes suit to Lavrans for Kristin’s youngest sister, Ramborg. The following year Lavrans dies, followed two years later by Ragnfrid. Kristin’s part of the inheritance is Jörundgaard.
There is much unrest in the country at that time. A boy, Magnus VII, is named king of both Sweden and Norway, and during his childhood, Erling Vidkunsson is made regent of Norway. When Magnus reaches the age of sixteen, Sir Erling resigns, and soon Norway has little law or order. During those years of unrest, Erlend conspires to put another claimant on the throne of Norway. Arrested, he is tried for treason by a king’s-men’s court. Erlend survives, but he has to forfeit all of his lands.
Erlend goes with Kristin and his sons to Jörundgaard to live, but he cares little for farming or for the people of the dale, and the neighbors avoid Jörundgaard. As the boys grow to manhood, Kristin becomes fearful for their future. In her desire to further their fortunes, she and Erlend come to harsh words, and she tells him he is not a fit lord of Jörundgaard. He leaves her and goes to Haugen, the farm where Lady Aashild spent her last days. Although she longs to have Erlend back, Kristin believes that she is in the right and struggles along with the help of Ulf, a servant, to make Jörundgaard produce.
The following winter her brother-in-law Simon dies as a result of a cut on the arm, sustained while separating two drunken fighters. Before he dies, he asks Kristin to go to Erlend and settle their quarrel. Kristin promises to do so. Ramborg gives birth to her son six weeks early and, upon Simon’s death, names the child Simon Simonsson.
Kristin keeps her promise and goes to Haugen to ask Erlend to return to Jörundgaard, but he refuses. She stays at Haugen that summer and then returns home to her sons. Finding herself pregnant again, she sends her sons to tell her husband. When the child is born, Erlend still does not come to her. The child dies before it is three months old. Soon thereafter, when Bishop Halvard comes to the parish, Jardtrud, Ulf’s wife, goes to him and charges Ulf with adultery with Kristin. Lavrans, unknown to the rest of the family, rides to Haugen to get his father. Erlend returns immediately with his son, but in a scuffle in the courtyard, he is wounded and dies. The same year Munan dies of a sickness that goes around the parish. Thus Kristin is left with six sons, each of whom must make his way in the world.
Ivar and Skule, the twins, take service with a distant kinsman. Ivar marries Singe Gamalsdatter, a wealthy young widow. Nikulaus and Björgulf enter the brotherhood at Tautra. Gaute falls in love with Jofrid Helgesdatter, heiress of a rich landowner. The two young people elope and are not married until the summer after the birth of their child, Erlend. During that winter, they live at Jörundgaard, and after their marriage, Kristin relinquishes the keys of the manor to Jofrid. Lavrans takes service with the Bishop of Skaalholt and sails to Iceland.
Kristin feels out of place in her old home after she is no longer mistress there. She decides to go to Nidaros and enter a convent. In the year 1349, after Kristin is in the cloister for about two years, her son Skule goes to see her. From him she receives the first news of the Black Plague. The disease soon engulfs the whole city, carries off her two sons in the convent, Nikulaus and Björgulf, and finally causes Kristin’s own death.
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