Kristin Lavransdatter - Characters in Kristin Lavransdatter

Characters in Kristin Lavransdatter

• Kristin Lavransdatter, the protagonist
• Lavrans Bjørgulfsson, her father (also referred to as Lavrans Langmandsson)
• Ragnfrid Ivarsdatter, Kristin's mother
• Simon Darre (also called Simon Andresson), initially engaged to Kristin, later her brother-in-law
• Erlend Nikulausson, the reckless and handsome man who seduces and marries Kristin
• Ulvhild Lavransdatter, Kristin's younger sister, left chronically ill and unable to walk after an accident
• Ramborg Lavransdatter, Kristin's youngest sister, eventual wife of Simon Darre
• Åashild Gautesdatter of Dovre, a wise woman skilled in magic and the healing arts whom Kristin befriends. She is Erlend's aunt; formerly married unhappily to his uncle Baard Munanson, she is suspected by some of Baard's murder by poison.
• Ingebørg Olavsdotter, a novice in nonneseter with Kristin, becomes somewhat of a friend
• Arne Gyrdson, Kristin's childhood friend and foster-brother
• Sira Eirik, parish priest at Kristin's childhood home in Jørundgaard
• Bentein Priestson, grandson of Sira Eirik, who murders Arne
• Gunnulf Nikulausson, Erlend's brother, a priest
• Lady Gunna, Kristin's neighbor and midwife
• Sira Eiliv, parish priest at Husaby, Erlend's home
• Eline Ormsdatter, Erlend's mistress in his youth
• Orm, son of Erlend and Eline and stepson of Kristin
• Margret, daughter of Erlend and Eline, and stepdaughter of Kristin
• Sunniva Olavsdatter, wife of Thorolf; her brief affair with Erlend has tragic consequences
• Brynhild Fluga (also called Brynhild Jonsdatter), owner of a brothel in Oslo and mother of two of Munan Baardson's children
• Naakve, Bjørgulf, Gaute, Ivar, Skule, Lavrans, Munan, and Erlend, sons of Kristin and Erlend (Ivar and Skule are twins).

Undset also wrote a few historical figures into the novel:

• King Magnus VII (also called Magnus Eiriksson), King of Norway and Sweden 1319-1343
• Lady Ingebørg Haakonsdatter, mother of King Magnus
• Knut Porse, Lady Ingebørg's second husband
• Erling Vidkunsson, "Drotsete" (Regent or High Steward) of Norway 1322-1330 under King Magnus. In the story, he is related to Erlend and Lady Halfrid, and is a lifelong friend of Erlend.
• Munan Baardson, friend of Lady Ingebørg and Knut Porse. In the story he is the son of Åshild and cousin to Erlend.
• Jon and Sigurd Haftorsson, King Magnus's cousins who plotted to overthrow him
• Paal Baardson, Chancellor of Norway 1330, an old antagonist of Erling Vidkunssøn.