| THE NETHERLANDS in the sixteenth century: a region of bustling cities and prosperous farms,fertile plains claimed from the sea and crisscrossed withingenious canals, a sophisticated society in which Prot-estants and Catholics live peaceably side by sideUntil late in the century, the Spanish army is ordered byKing Philip 11 to purge the Lowlands of heretics byextending the shroud of the Inquisition. Rioting breaksout in Antwerp and normal life comes to a halt as thearmy, attacking unarmed men and women, makes abattlefield of the city. Caught in the terror are Jan and Hanneke van Cleef, ayoung brother and sister who are the children of a prosperous merchant family, Protestants raised under thestrict Calvinist hand of their father. Neither Jan s "sin-ful" interest in guns and fighting nor Hanneke s "heartfor truth" has prepared them for the tragedies that are tooccur under the new laws of persecution. Their fatherexecuted, their mother driven mad, Jan and Hanneke aresuddenly set adrift, alone, in a violent and hostile world. Hanneke remains in Antwerp to care for her mother.Driven out of their house, destitute, Hanneke earns whatlittle money she can from sympathetic neighbors whilehelplessly watching her mother slip further and furtherinto the tormented world of her mind. Her own will tolive tested again and again, she at last is compelled toleave Antwerp, joining the growing number of exilesmaking their way toward the German Empire; and it isonly her unfaltering faith that fuels her resolve to go onliving even though there is "nothing left in her at all." Jan has fled Antwerp already, seeking refuge with aseaman uncle and casting his lot with the Sea Beggars--Dutch pirates who plunder the North Sea coast, foilingthe powerful Spanish navy with their breathtaking dar-ing. Manning his uncle s ship in this illegal fleet, Janquickly suits himself to the ways of piracy, becoming anexpert gunner and seaman, thrilling to the danger andexcitement. |
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