Der Teufel

Teufel, Der, a historical novel by A. Neumann, published in 1926. It is set in France and Flanders in the late 15th c. during the reign of Louis XI. ‘The Devil’ is the political intriguer Olivier Necker of Ghent, who becomes the king's principal partner and instrument in the manipulations and crimes, of which the murder of the heir apparent, Louis's brother Charles, is the culmination. Though this takes place by order of the King, it is done on Necker's advice. On Louis's death in 1483 Necker gives himself up and is condemned to death.