An agrarian community sometime in the 1700s. The farmer Påvel is married with his young wife Märit and very proud to have married such a young and sweet girl. Märit however, is disappointed about her marriage. Their neighbor Håkan lives alone on his farm and he falls in love with Märit. He tells her of his feelings and Märit is torn between the security of her marriage and the feelings she has for Håkan.
The poor farmer Jan is getting very old when he becomes father to the girl, Klara Gulla. First, he sees the child as a burden, but when he receives the newborn child in his arms he is overjoyed. He does everything in his power for her during her. But when she as an adult leaves home, Jan can not come over the loss of her.
The actor Philip has an accident on the way to his own wedding and the shock makes him lose his voice.
The story takes its beginning in 1518 , the Danish King Christian II has taken Sweden. Sten Sture the younger appeal to all loyal subjects to resist. The offer reaches the farmer Mats Waltersson in Dalarna , Sweden's heart and he gathers his men. Dalmas were going from house to house, they do not want a Dane on the throne. At Brännkyrka outside Stockholm is a battle between the Danes and Swedes. Swedes win and the Swedish riksbaneret out during the Battle of Gustav Eriksson Vasa.