Kerjäläissoturit: Historiallinen romaani

In the sweltering heat of a June market in 1568, the cobbles of Brussels tremble beneath a towering scaffold, set for the public execution of two of the Netherlands' most revered nobles, the Count of Egmont and Count Horn. Their deaths are meant to silence a growing tide of resistance against the iron grip of Spanish rule, the papacy and the Inquisition, yet the crowd's murmurs hint at a deeper, unbreakable yearning for liberty and faith. The novel opens with a vivid portrait of a land caught between opulent wealth, religious turmoil and the restless spirit of its people.

From the viewpoint of rag‑clad men who have long survived on charity, the story follows a band of unlikely warriors who decide to exchange begging for battle. Their courage is sparked by whispered sermons, secret meetings and the promise that even the poorest can tilt the scales of empire. As they navigate treacherous streets, clandestine alliances and the looming threat of betrayal, the narrative captures the fragile hope that a fractured nation might yet forge its own destiny.