In a Danish village in the early 1600s, a young woman named Anne, whose mother was thought to be a witch, develops sympathy toward an old woman, Marte, who is accused of witchcraft. The intervention of Anne's older but kindly husband, Pastor Absalon saved her mother -- but now, urged on by his overbearing mother, he refuses to help Marte. When Absalon's son returns home and is attracted to Anne, it's a matter of time before her family destiny catches up with her.
A picture of the life of the Danish people from the late 1820s to the introduction of the free constitution in 1849. A fictional character, Rasmus Nielsen, travels around the country, first as a traveling teacher, later in other positions, and through his experiences we are introduced to the conditions of various population groups. The central figure in the portrayal of historical figures is the politician Orla Lehmann.
At the Copenhagen Conservatory of Music, Mogens Birk passes his organ exam with distinction. Together with his brother Steen Birk, he has supported himself during his studies by playing in the city's small taverns. Editor Jepsen from Bollerupager attends the exam, with a view to hiring a new organist for the city. At the parish council meeting, Consul Møller's daughter Kirsten, who was educated in Paris, is nominated, but Jepsen has Mogens as his candidate for the position, and he gets the job.
