
The Eve of the First World War. In his one-man newspaper "Het Vrije Meerse" printer-publisher-journalist Constant Reynaert criticizes the policy of Ridder de Bellicourt, mayor of Houtegem. The mayor rules as a feudal ruler, supported by his vassals. The romance of Ridder de Bellicourt and his noble neighbor Marie-Ange van Hoeylandt is disrupted by the war. The frivolous Marie-Ange is too busy with the billeted German officers. De Bellicourt seeks revenge and tries to eliminate the troublesome Constant Reynaert.
The Eve of the First World War. In his one-man newspaper "Het Vrije Meerse" printer-publisher-journalist Constant Reynaert criticizes the policy of Ridder de Bellicourt, mayor of Houtegem. The mayor rules as a feudal ruler, supported by his vassals. The romance of Ridder de Bellicourt and his noble neighbor Marie-Ange van Hoeylandt is disrupted by the war. The frivolous Marie-Ange is too busy with the billeted German officers. De Bellicourt seeks revenge and tries to eliminate the troublesome Constant Reynaert.
While Constant Reynaert is a prisoner of war in Germany, Gerard continues to publish Het Vrije Meerse from Holland. De Bellicourt fails to win back Marie-Ange and is ridiculed by her husband. The Baron disappears in dark circumstances. Forester Gentiel Smessaert also does not return from an inspection trip. In Houtegem it is rumored that Gentiel knew more about the disappearance of the baron. A body is found in the forest. Mayor de Bellicourt immediately shows that it is an unknown person ...