Kristin is the strong-headed but sensitive daughter of a wealthy, well-respected farmer in 14th-century Norway. Raised with a strong sense of Christian morality, she wrestles with her own desires as she comes of age. She often feels caught between familial expectations and her intense personal passions, struggling to balance communal honor with her private feelings.

Erlend is an older, wealthy nobleman who has become a social outcast due to a past scandalous relationship with a married woman. He possesses great charm and physical courage but struggles with a reckless, impetuous nature. He is frequently at odds with the strict moral and social codes of medieval Norwegian society, prioritizing his immediate emotions over long-term consequences.

Simon is the son of an estate owner from the town of Dyfrin and Kristin's arranged betrothed. He is pragmatic, honorable, and deeply respectful of societal expectations. He values his standing in the community and holds great reverence for Kristin's father, striving always to do what is considered correct and dutiful.

Lavrans is a wealthy, pious, and highly respected farmer at the Jørundgaard estate. He acts as an exemplar of moral virtue and quiet strength for his community. Despite facing numerous personal tragedies, he maintains a steadfast commitment to his religious faith and family duties.

Ragnfrid is Lavrans's wife and the mother of Kristin, Ulvhild, and Ramborg. She carries a heavy burden of sorrow following the early deaths of her first three children. Her quiet suffering and fierce love for her surviving daughters shape the emotional atmosphere of the Jørundgaard household.

Ulvhild is Kristin's younger sister. Following a tragic childhood accident involving a loose ox and a fallen tree trunk, she is permanently impaired and requires the use of a cane. Her family considers sending her to a convent due to her physical limitations.

Ramborg is Kristin's youngest sister. She grows up surrounded by her family's tragedies and her older sister's complex romantic life. Over time, she develops her own strong feelings for those connected to her family's past and seeks a secure place in the social hierarchy.

Brother Edvin is a Franciscan friar and artist who cares for the poor and paints religious artwork. He possesses a luminous, secret joy and serves as a vital spiritual guide for the young Kristin, showing her the beauty of religious devotion.

Fru Aashild is a childless noblewoman who lives nearby and is highly skilled in healing. Though some locals suspect her of practicing magic and witchcraft, she provides essential medical aid to Kristin's family and offers Kristin worldly, sometimes scandalous, advice.

Arne is a local boy and apprentice blacksmith who harbors a deep, unspoken love for Kristin. Aware of their social differences, he desires the opportunity to prove himself a worthy match for her despite her family's higher standing.

Gunnulf is a scholarly, thoughtful priest and Erlend's brother. He provides a stark contrast to his sibling's impulsiveness, offering careful, reflective spiritual guidance to those struggling with their faith and conscience in the community.

Ulf is Erlend's loyal kinsman and trusted friend. He helps manage the day-to-day operations of Erlend's lands and often acts as a stabilizing presence during Erlend's impulsive political and domestic endeavors.

Eline is Erlend's former mistress and the wife of his previous mentor. She lived with Erlend in an adulterous relationship that severely damaged his reputation, and she fiercely expects him to honor his past promises to her.

Naakkve is Kristin and Erlend's eldest son. His birth brings both joy and community scrutiny due to the timing following his parents' wedding. He grows into a perceptive young man who closely watches his parents' fraught dynamic.

Bjørgulf is Kristin's second child. He suffers from very poor eyesight that worsens over time, making him highly dependent on the close bond he shares with his older brother, Naakkve.

Gaute is the third son in the family. Initially a frail child who clings to his mother, he grows into a popular, confident young man with a talent for managing the family's farm property and dealing with the local community.

Bentein is the grandson of the local priest. His aggressive and violent behavior introduces a profound sense of physical danger into the rural community, bringing shame and chaos to the people around him.

Orm is the illegitimate son of Erlend and Eline. Shy and reserved, he struggles to meet his father's physical expectations but finds unexpected warmth and affection from his new stepmother, Kristin.

Margret is the daughter of Erlend and Eline. Unlike her brother Orm, she is stubborn and poorly behaved, frequently causing tension between her father and her new stepmother as she grows into a young woman.

Jofrid is the daughter of a wealthy man who runs away to live with Gaute. She must learn to adjust to the expectations of the household at Jørundgaard and navigate the differing domestic views held by Gaute's mother.