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.

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