De Kerels van Vlaanderen

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Conscience, Hendrik, 1812-1883

Language:

Dutch

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"De Kerels van Vlaanderen" by Hendrik Conscience is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the early 12th century and revolves around the lives of the Kerels (the free men) of Flanders, depicting their struggles against oppression and the feudal system. Key characters introduced include the young knight Robrecht Snelhoge and Dakerlia, who experience the tumult of love, societal expectations, and the historical tensions of their time. The opening of the novel sets a somber and reflective tone, beginning with a striking autumn morning at the church of Our Lady in Bruges, where solemn hymns resonate while the atmosphere outside is unsettlingly quiet. A young knight, who appears conflicted and intense, is introduced as he waits at a grave, hinting at inner turmoil and unfulfilled desires. The narrative then shifts to the interaction between Robrecht and Dakerlia, where love, pride, and the tensions of arranged marriages are explored. Dakerlia is caught in a struggle regarding her feelings for Robrecht as he unknowingly prepares to marry another, Placida of the Isegrim family, igniting themes of loyalty, affection, and the weight of societal expectations on personal lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Robbie Deighton, Miranda van de Heijning and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

Notes:

Reading ease score: 70.5 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2004-10-05