Kristin Lavransdatter

Erlend has grown wealthy through his position as sheriff. His men are loyal and love him very much, though his management of his estate and the local people leaves much to be desired. Kristin notices that her stepdaughter Margret is becoming a young woman. She notices the close relationship between Margret and Haakon of Gimsar. One night, Erlend wakes and hears a man in Margret’s room. He rushes into her bed chamber with his sword and chases a man out onto the roof, cutting off Haakon’s hand in the process; Haakon then slips from the roof and falls onto the ground. In addition to losing his hand, he is permanently maimed by the fall and never fully recovers his mobility. After treating Haakon’s wounds, Kristin convinces Erlend to keep quiet about the incident for Margret’s sake. She compares Haakon’s behavior to the way in which Erlend courted her. Erlend blames his wife for the incident, as she did not share her concerns about Margret. Haakon seeks Erlend’s pardon and returns to his home. Erlend arranges for Margret to marry the son of a German jeweler, an unimpressive but sensible match.

Kristin and Erlend visit Gunnulf in Nidaros. Gunnulf has returned from a harrowing mission to the north, and his health is “completely broken” (603). Erlend, in his brother’s absence, has become increasingly vulgar and distant. Kristin has another son, Munan, her seventh. The princes, knights, and powerful figures of Norway argue over the throne. There are those who support and those who oppose King Magnus. Sir Erling is accused of treason, but he reaches a peace deal. Kristin and Erlend quarrel often, and she reveals that she still has not forgiven him for many of the crimes of his past, causing him to hit her again. Erlend is proud and ashamed. He leaves the house and meets Sunniva Olavsdatter, with whom he has a brief and unremarkable affair. Kristin is angry with her husband. She refuses to allow him back into the house, sending him back to Sunniva. Erlend spends a week with Sunniva, whom he does not like very much. Kristin, meanwhile, returns to Husaby. When Erlend finally reunites with her, he blames Kristin for what he has said and done. After one final night with Sunniva, he departs acrimoniously from his mistress after Sunniva insults Kristin.

At Husaby, a group of men on horseback arrives to speak to Erlend. They accuse him of conspiring to commit treason. Erlend, noticing the men in the distance, has already sent Gaute away with a bundle of letters, telling him to either give them to Ulf or to burn them. Erlend’s correspondence with Ingebjørg is destroyed. Erlend kisses Kristin, who is concerned for her husband’s wellbeing despite their recent conflicts. The evidence against Erlend was supplied by Sunniva, who found one of his letters during their brief affair and—annoyed at being spurned—reported him to the authorities. Erlend and Ulf are arrested and held in a prison in Nidaros. Kristin reflects on her life, on her sins, and on her relationship with Erlend. She resolves to go to Nidaros and do what she can to help her husband. By now, she realizes, the only people she can truly trust are Gunnulf and Simon.

Kristin talks to Gunnulf. The situation with Erlend is very serious, and she is determined to help him. Erlend has been accused of plotting to replace the ineffectual King Magnus with Prince Haakon, the son of Ingebjørg and Duke Eirik Porse. Erlend had wanted to talk to Kristin about these issues, but she never wanted to talk about politics with her husband. Gunnulf blames his brother’s recklessness, but Kristin defends Erlend. Simon comes to her, offering his help and comfort. He visits the prison in which Erlend is being held. Erlend is defiant in spite of his dangerous situation. He refuses to be daunted, but he is worried for his wife’s sake. Erlend fears that even if he is not executed, he will be banished or stripped of his properties. He plans for a future in exile in Denmark with Kristin and his sons. When he is placed on trial, Erlend does not attempt to defend himself. He accepts that he sought to compel King Magnus to pass the cross to his half-brother Haakon. Under the reign of the new king (who would rule from Norway), Erling and his family would have been richly rewarded. Erlend is sentenced to death. His properties are to be taken from him. In spite of this, he retains his optimism. Kristin sends some of her sons away as she plots how to help Erlend.

Erlend is to be taken before King Magnus in Sweden. Kristin hopes that she can beg the king to spare her husband. Ulf, who has been charged alongside Erlend, is released. He reunites with Kristin and Gaute, who travel to stay with Simon and Ramborg. At this time, however, Ramborg has gone to stay elsewhere. Kristin and Simon travel to Oslo, as Erlend is being held in a prison there. He is being tortured, as the authorities want to know the names of his co-conspirators. Erlend refuses to tell them any names. Simon learns that Ramborg has given birth to a son named Andres. At this time, however, he is spending more time with Kristin. He still loves her and he feels tempted to betray his wife to declare his love for Kristin. In spite of the intensity of Simon’s love, Kristin has no idea about how he really feels. He prays to God to keep him free from sin and visits Erlend to help as much as he can.

On the king’s instructions, Erlend is tortured for information. Since torture is illegal in Norway, however, the torturers are halted by the deputy royal treasurer, Olav Kyrning. Simon is furious at the treatment of Erlend, who is resolute despite the brutality he has endured. Erlend asks Simon to hide his pain from Kristin by taking her away from Oslo. He had hoped that Sir Erling would intervene on his behalf, but this has not yet happened. Erlend hopes that Simon will appeal on his behalf instead, in alliance with other nobles who are sympathetic to Erlend’s cause. Simon visits Erling and insists that he help Erlend. Erling reluctantly agrees to do so. They travel together to Tunsberg and stand before the king, suggesting that his mistreatment of Erlend could cause an even larger revolt in Norway. Erling speaks eloquently to the king to persuade him to bring an end to the turmoil. Releasing Erlend, Erling suggests, would be in the interests of the king and the kingdom. Simon feels conflicted over this but he helps to win Erlend’s release. Erlend is returned to his wife and, as they celebrate, Erland raises a toast to thank Simon. He jokes that, if Simon had not intervened, then Erlend would have been executed and Simon would have been able to marry Kristin. Simon hits Erlend’s cup from his hand and leaves, though Erlend stops him outside. Erlend tries to apologize, realizing the insulting nature of what he said to the man from whom he first stole Kristin. Simon finds new accommodation while Erlend is reunited with Kristin.