20. Dappere dochter

1666
Brave daughter
Over thirteen thousand houses burn to the ground in London, but here in Gemert we also have world news. The daughter of sheriff Otto de Visschere foils an attack on her father. The perpetrator? Claes van Puijffelick, the foreman. He is owed money, either from the bailiff or the commander, it doesn't matter, but he wants his pennies and he has a gun and a short fuse. 
Today, according to old custom, a hearth will take place in the village, which is why the aldermen and bailiffs have gathered at the sheriff's house. And there, uninvited and against all forms of etiquette and hierarchical relations, Claes joins in and, with a red-faced face, demands the commission for his undervorster's office. The bailiff replies knowing no better than that the commander has that money under him.
    ‛I will look into it tomorrow, after the hearth.'
Claes' face runs even redder. With great vehemence, he says that the commander had just claimed that the bailiff has the money. 
    ‛I want my money NOW!'
The bailiff gets angry. He will not tolerate such an insulting attitude, in his own house no less. He orders Claes to leave. The latter refuses.
    ‛The bailiff is a knave, he steals my righteousness of beasts and sheep that I have shod.' 
Otto de Visschere can no longer bear it and draws his sword. To prevent further mischief, the aldermen intervene and eject Claes.
A moment later, the 73-year-old stablehand Wouter Hornkens sees Claes enter the stable furiously and with a short helm in his hand. He asks what Claes is up to, but the latter walks without answering to the door that gives access to the house through the stable. Inside, of all those present, daughter Liesbeth reacts most appropriately. She grabs Claes' wrist and yanks and pulls and screams. She manages to snatch the big, furious man's gun! It turns out to be loaded and powdered. Liesbeth, brave durske, you saved your father's life. 
Claes, no doubt still unable to anticipate the trial that awaits him, shouts that he wants his helm back to shoot the bailiff through the head with it. Stupid to shout that, because now even this fire cannot be put out