Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders

"Leatherface: A Tale of Old Flanders" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set in the backdrop of Spain's oppressive rule over the Netherlands in the 16th century, the story revolves around the Prince of Orange and the mysterious figure known as Leatherface, who serves as a protector and warning to him amidst the chaos of rebellion and tyranny. The opening of this narrative introduces the reader to a tense moment just before dawn in September 1572. The principal character, known as Leatherface, arrives in the Prince's camp to warn him of an impending Spanish attack led by Don Ramon de Linea. The scene is thick with anticipation as troops prepare for battle while the Prince seeks to fortify their defenses. This initial encounter sets the stage for the larger conflict between the forces of freedom, led by the Prince, and the brutal regime of the Duke of Alva, highlighting the themes of loyalty, espionage, and the desperate struggle for liberty amidst oppression. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Baroness Emma Orczy, usually known as Baroness Orczy or to her family and friends as Emmuska Orczy, was a Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright. She is best known for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel, the alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who turns into a quick-thinking escape artist in order to save French aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine" during the French Revolution, establishing the "hero with a secret identity" in popular culture.