The Laughing Cavalier

The Laughing Cavalier (1905) by Baroness Orczy is a historical adventure novel set in the early 17th century, a prequel to Orczy's famous Scarlet Pimpernel series. While the Scarlet Pimpernel books are set during the French Revolution, The Laughing Cavalier transports readers to the world of Dutch Republic in the late 1500s and early 1600s. The novel follows the adventures of a dashing and mysterious Dutch hero, Jeronimus van der Pool, who becomes entangled in a plot of intrigue, romance, and political conflict. The story blends romance, adventure, and suspense with Orczy’s trademark elements of heroism, masked identities, and dramatic twists. Much like Sir Percy Blakeney in the Scarlet Pimpernel series, Jeronimus van der Pool is a man of mystery and action, whose brave exploits set the stage for a future legacy.