Die Jungfrau von Treiden

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21680

Title

Die Jungfrau von Treiden

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Livonia between 1600 and 1620, this historical romance recounts the tragic fate of Rosa Mai, a noblewoman orphaned after a battle. Her beloved suitor, Victor Heil, flees to her castle only to discover she has been murdered. Heil is falsely accused, faces torture, and ultimately confesses to the crime committed by his accomplice, Peter Skudritz, to save the innocent and ensure justice is served.

Summary up to 500 words

Adelbert Cammerer's *Die Jungfrau von Treiden* is a historical romance set in Livonia between 1600 and 1620, exploring themes of honor, innocence, and the brutal realities of war. The narrative opens amidst the ruins of the castle of Treiden following a bloody battle. The protagonist, Rosa Mai, is the daughter of a knight who perished in the conflict. Her father, Greif, rescues her infant body from the battlefield and raises her as his own after her parents die. Despite the destruction of the local temple, Rosa is educated in piety and duty within the church. As she matures, she remains reserved despite the attentions of various suitors. Victor Heil, a young man from Württemberg renowned for his beauty and gardening skills, travels to Livonia and falls deeply in love with Rosa. He proposes marriage, and the couple plans a secret meeting in his grotto. Tragedy strikes when Heil returns to find Rosa murdered with an axe. Heil is immediately arrested and subjected to torture during his trial, refusing to confess and maintaining his innocence. He argues that the axe was merely a tool he used for building the grotto, not an instrument of murder. The tension escalates until the castle's castellan reveals a confession from Peter Skudritz, one of Heil's former Polish mercenaries. Skudritz admits to the murder, explaining that he was influenced by his companion, Adam Jakubowski, and acted out of malice and drunkenness. Skudritz is executed, while Heil is acquitted and pardoned for the tragic misunderstanding. The story concludes with Heil grieving at Rosa's grave, reflecting on the loss of his paradise. Unable to bear the memory of his beloved, he eventually leaves Livonia. The work blends romantic sentiment with historical drama, highlighting the cruelty of war and the harsh pursuit of truth amidst chaos.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Poetry