The second volume in the trilogy, The Wife (1921) continues the story of a passionate and willful woman in medieval Norway. Kristin is now married to Erlend Nikulausson, a man whose single-minded determination to become an influential social and political figure forces Kristin to take over the management of Erlend's estate, Husbay, while raising their seven sons. Once again, Undset presents the rich historical detail and compelling characters that make her Norway's most beloved author.