'Pleegzoon' Summary

During the twelve-year truce of the Eighty Years' War, the Netherlands is torn apart by the religious conflict between the Remonstrants and the Contra-Remonstrants. This religious war provides the backdrop for the story of Pleegzoon, a novel by Jacob van Lennep. The novel follows the tumultuous love story of a young noblewoman and her brave foster brother. Amidst the political machinations of the House of Nassau, where the brothers Maurice and Frederick Henry clash over religious issues, the novel portrays the passionate love that blossoms between the two protagonists. Their love story is interwoven with the complex political landscape of the Dutch Republic, where the ongoing struggle for religious freedom is further complicated by the machinations of the Spanish. The novel paints a vivid picture of the era, showcasing the societal divisions and the impact of religious strife on personal lives. Through its exploration of love, loyalty, and courage, Pleegzoon offers a compelling narrative of life in the Netherlands during a time of great political and religious upheaval.