

1840, Hendrik Conscience receives an offer from king Leopold I to write a history of Belgium.

1830, the Belgian Revolution erupts in Brussels. A young Hendrik Conscience enlists in the Belgian army.

1830, Conscience has fallen ill on a winter campaign and is taken care of by a farmer's family.

1832, in the army Conscience clashes with the strict captain Turk.

1833, during his military service, Conscience decides to become a poet.