Erland has been in disgrace, having been banished and excommunicated for his affair with a married woman who bore him two children while her husband was still living. He has since broken off with the woman and done penance, and has been allowed to return to his homeland. After her husband died, however, out of pity for his former mistress and his love for his children, he has allowed her to live on his estate at Husaby, creating more scandal. He has paid dearly for his actions, and has lost the respect of his aristocratic family and connections.
Erland's seduction of Kristin; their clandestine affair; the confrontation when she must finally confess it to Simon; and the dreadful effect that her deceit and duplicity has on her family, makes up the last half of the book. Although Kristin could not have hoped to marry someone so far above her rank under normal circumstances, Erland's rakehell reputation makes him less than acceptable in Lavrans' eyes. We see Kristin's shame and the helplessness of her sexual involvement, but it is clear that the true message of this book isn't about the perils of illicit love, but about loss of honor - Kristin's, Erland's, and the damage they have done to the honor of their families. Their efforts to redeem it will continue throughout their lives, and there will be many stumblings and woundings in that process.
Volume I ends with the reconciliation of Kristin with her father, the marriage of Erland and Kristin, and a heartbreaking revelation about her parent's marriage.
Volume 2: The Mistress of Husaby
This book tells the story of the early years of Kristin's married life. Three months pregnant at her wedding, Kristin has kept her secret to herself. When it ultimately becomes obvious to Erland, he shows clearly his disappointment that the world will know that his first legitimate son was conceived before the wedding. Kristin finds his lukewarm response hard to bear, especially because she herself is convinced that her child may be malformed as payback for her sin. The description of Nikulaus's birth is harrowing, and Kristin's joy when she finds the baby perfect is palpable.
Eventually, Erland and his father-in-law, Lavrans, become reconciled. Simon, Kristin's former fiancé, marries her youngest sister, Ramborg. The families become very close, and things seem happy until Lavrans dies. Two years later, Ragnild follows her husband in death.
As the years pass, Erland and Kristin have seven sons. Erland is a faithful and loving husband, but often impulsive and tactless. The manor of Husaby, let drift during the years of his disgrace, thrives under Kristin's capable management. Erland, however, has little interest in farming or running his estate. He takes to a more adventurous life and has great success at it. Slowly he wins his way back to positions befitting his family's background.
As Erland's duties as warden (a high official) of a northern district expand, Kristin, left at home to rear the seven sons, is often bitter and exhausted. During one of their times of conflict and anger, Erland briefly takes up with another woman, more to spite Kristin than from any fondness for the woman. When he breaks off with her, the woman sets out on a revenge that will cost him dearly. She has taken letters from his wallet that implicate him in a scheme to threaten the monarchy. Imprisoned for high treason, he endures the rack without implicating his accomplices. Kristin stands by him, and Simon, her brother-in-law and former fiancé, eventually wins his release.
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