# Lady Aashild Gautesdatter — The Bridal Wreath character guide

> Lady Aashild Gautesdatter in The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lady Aashild of Haugen, Aashild, Moster Aashild

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-j-rundgaard

## Snapshot

Erlend's worldly, sharp-tongued kinswoman, a healer with a scandalous past who sees clearly what the lovers refuse to see.

## Who they are

Lady Aashild takes Erlend into her closet and dismantles his plans with brutal practicality, warning that a secret wedding will leave Kristin a concubine in the eyes of the law. She has said too many things in her time, she admits, and now her careless words have helped push the lovers toward ruin. Her clear-eyed skepticism gives the novel its sharpest moral counterweight to romantic self-justification.

## Relationships

### [Kristin Lavransdatter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/kristin_lavransdatter)

_friendship_

Aashild acts as a wise, unconventional mentor and confidante to Kristin, offering guidance in matters of love and life outside strict societal norms.

### [Erlend Nikulaussön](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/erlend_nikulauss%C3%B6n)

_family_

Aashild is Erlend's aunt and a key ally, using her influence and wisdom to support his relationship with Kristin against family opposition.

### [Kristin Lavransdatter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/kristin_lavransdatter)

_friendship_

Aashild acts as a wise, unconventional mentor and confidante to Kristin, offering guidance in matters of love and life outside strict societal norms.

### [Erlend Nikulaussön](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/erlend_nikulauss%C3%B6n)

_family_

Aashild is Erlend's aunt and a key ally, using her influence and wisdom to support his relationship with Kristin against family opposition.

### [Erlend Nikulaussön](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/erlend_nikulauss%C3%B6n)

_family_

Aashild is Erlend's aunt and a key ally, using her influence and wisdom to support his relationship with Kristin against family opposition.

### [Kristin Lavransdatter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/kristin_lavransdatter)

_friendship_

Aashild acts as a wise, unconventional mentor and confidante to Kristin, offering guidance in matters of love and life outside strict societal norms.

## In the story

### [Part I: Jörundgaard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/part-i-j-rundgaard)

Lady Aashild arrives to help heal Ulvhild, bringing her knowledge of herbs and a controversial reputation that stirs local gossip.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/iv)

Lady Aashild stays at Jörundgaard to care for Ulvhild, sharing her past and wisdom. She is skilled in leechcraft and music, and her presence causes some tension.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/iii)

Discussed as Erlend's aunt who fled with Sir Björn and lived under scandal; Kristin praises her.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/viii)

Quoted by Kristin: 'good days fall to wise folk, but the best days of all to those who dare be unwise.'

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/iii)

Reluctantly aids the lovers, providing shelter and counsel. She observes Kristin's strength and later helps manage the aftermath of Eline's death.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/chapters/viii)

Attempts to comfort Kristin on the wedding night, urging her to bear up.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters/lady_aashild_gautesdatter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_bridal_wreath_se/characters