KristinisthedaughterofaprominentlandownerinmedievalNorwayShegrowsupintotalharmonywiththeidealsofthetime:strongfamilyties,socialprideanddevoutChristianitySheacceptsthefactthatherfatherhasarrangedforhertomarrythesonofanotherlandownerKristin'sbeautyandpuritycreateviolentemotionsaroundherThereareenvyandattemptedrape,murderandrevengeSheseeksrefugefromtheworldinaconvent,awaitingthetimeforhermarriageHerethepassionofherlifestrikes,theknightErlendNikulaussonnHe,anaccomplishedseducer,alsofallshopelesslyinloveTheyhavetocrossnotonlyconventwallstomeet,butsocialboundariesaswellTheirlovecannotbekeptsecret,andsuddenlytheinnocentKristinisthecentreofascandalHerfiancewithdrawsfromtheirengagement,herfatherrages,andErlend'sformermistresstriestopoisonherTheaffairgrowsintoapoliticalissue,andfinallysomeofthecountry'smostdignifiedleaderspersuadeLavranstogiveinTheloverswineachother,butitisinfrontofacharredaltarinaburntdownchurch,andtheirhappinesshasadoubleedgeWrittenbyTheNorwegianFilmInstitute