The Scourge of God: A Romance of Religious Persecution

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

52734

Title

The Scourge of God: A Romance of Religious Persecution

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 17th-century France under the reign of Louis XIV, this historical romance explores the brutal persecution of Huguenots by the powerful Madame de Maintenon, known as 'The Scourge of God.' Blending high-stakes intrigue with emotional depth, the story follows an English officer who uncovers a hidden noble lineage amidst religious conflict, offering a gripping tale of love, faith, and redemption.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in 17th-century France under the oppressive rule of Madame de Maintenon, known as the 'Scourge of God,' John Bloundelle-Burton's *The Scourge of God* chronicles the harrowing journey of Martin Ashurst, an English Protestant officer. Following the death of his benefactress, the Princesse de Rochebazon, Martin inherits her vast fortune but faces a treacherous landscape where Huguenots are driven to flight or death. Upon discovering letters revealing his secret heritage as the son of a renegade nobleman, Martin must navigate civil unrest in the Cévennes, where Camisard rebels attack Catholic strongholds. During a chaotic escape, Martin is wounded and left for dead in the mountains. There, he encounters Urbaine, the adopted daughter of Urbain Ducaire, and Baville, the man who murdered Urbaine's biological father. In a dramatic revelation, Baville confesses that Urbaine is not Ducaire's daughter but the rightful heir to the de Beauvilliers titles, obscured by the chaos of persecution. As Martin recovers, a sympathetic pastor facilitates a marriage between Martin and Urbaine, restoring her to her status as Princesse de Rochebazon. The novel concludes with a profound reconciliation of past sins, a restoration of justice, and a hopeful vision of peace amidst the turmoil of religious war. Bloundelle-Burton weaves a tale of love, war, and faith, highlighting the brutal persecution of Protestants while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the eventual triumph of truth over bigotry.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52734.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg52734.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-01 21:04 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• History
• Fiction
• Politics