Zur Chronik von Grieshuus (1925)

At Grieshuus Castle in Holstein, shortly before 1700, the old lord of the manor has chosen his elder son, Hinrich, as his heir, while his younger son, Detlev, has moved to the city to study law. One day, Barbara, the daughter of the serf Owe Heiken, whom everyone calls Bärbe, is attacked by marauding soldiers. Hinrich saves her from their advances at the last moment. The young man falls in love with the beautiful woman and wants to marry her. His father is firmly opposed, however: he considers his prospective daughter-in-law beneath their station and is prepared to disinherit Hinrich if necessary. In anger, the father tears up his will, but Hinrich is little concerned. A short time later, Detlev arrives at the castle and demands his inheritance from his father because he wants to marry Gesine, the widow of Count Orlamünde. A fierce argument breaks out between father and son, during which the father dies. This unexpected death leads to a bitter struggle between the two very different brothers over the inheritance. Detlev now claims Grieshuus and all its lands for himself. He tries by every means to drive Hinrich and Bärbe apart. But Bärbe is now pregnant, and the quarrels and distress bring on a premature birth. The child survives, but Bärbe dies. Junker Hinrich then beats his brother Detlev to death and flees in a panic. The newborn, a boy named Rolf, is lovingly raised by the servants at Grieshuus Castle. But Detlev’s widow, Gesine, tries to take Grieshuus for herself, just as her slain husband would have wanted. Gesine intends to kidnap Rolf. One day, Hinrich returns to his old home, unrecognized. In the end, he manages to snatch his son from Gesine’s hands and secure his inheritance for him.