A collection of short scenes portraying highlights of Dutch history, from the Eighty Years' War to King Willem I's return from exile. This film was made to commemorate the centenary of the Dutch royal family.

The story of Theodoor, a hunchbacked child. He grows up in poor circumstances. His alcoholic father dies as a result of suffocation caused by alcohol. After this, he spends his days wandering the streets, becomes involved in the fairground life, and is present in a tent where a fire breaks out. Better times then arrive. He becomes a famous violinist and marries the daughter of a wealthy man.

Silvia grows up in miserable circumstances. Her father is an incurable drunk who neglects his family. His first daughter was stillborn, the second died at a young age, and the third was only eighteen when she went mad and died.

The daughter of the captain of a trading ship finds out that the ship is in danger of sinking and tries to save it and the crew.