The Black Tulip

"The Black Tulip," penned by Alexandre Dumas père in 1850, is a historical novel set during the Tulipmania era in the Netherlands. It commences with the politically driven lynching of the de Witt brothers in 1672 and subsequently follows Cornelius van Baerle, the godson of Cornelius de Wit. Cornelius Van Baerle embarks on a quest to cultivate a truly black tulip, vying for the substantial prize of 100,000 guilders, along with fame and prestige. However, as he approaches his objective, he faces imprisonment and is eventually rescued by the jailer's daughter, the beautiful Rosa.