The First Sir Percy · Character

Kaatje van den Poele

A wealthy, stolid Dutch matron whose prosperous composure at the wedding feast throws the Beresteyns' anxious earnestness into sharp and telling relief.

supporting

Also known as Kaatje, the stolid Kaatje, the good Kaatje, the worthy Kaatje, the wealthy Kaatje, The lovely Kaatje

First appearance: i a night on the veluwe

As a supporting figure in The First Sir Percy, Kaatje van den Poele is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The bride of Nicolaes Beresteyn, described as stolid, complacent, and beaming with happiness, wearing rich brocade and jewelry.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

Kaatje van den Poele belongs to the comfortable burgher world that gathers for the double wedding at Amersfoort — her husband a shipowner and East India Company man, her family pompous and fleshy with prosperity. She stands among the guests as a foil to Mynheer Beresteyn's grave, watchful joy, part of the social fabric that the day's dark interruptions will unsettle. Her presence measures how far the celebration has drifted from ordinary festivity.

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Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Kaatje van den Poele sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Utrecht Conspiracy Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Gilda’s idealized love…

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In the story

Kaatje van den Poele appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
The bride of Nicolaes Beresteyn, described as stolid, complacent, and beaming with happiness, wearing rich brocade and jewelry.
IV
Stolid and unconcerned, munching sweetmeats while others react to the Stadtholder's collapse.
VI
The other bride, who receives chaff with complacence and saucy replies.
III: The Great Interruption
Left pouting and desolate beside her morose bridegroom after the interruption.
III
She is weeping and complaining elsewhere in the house.
IV: Adder's Fork
Nicolaes's wealthy fiancée, closeted with her mother; Gilda pities her after Nicolaes's behavior.
III
Mentioned as having sobbed herself to sleep; Nicolaes's new bride, left alone on her wedding night.
A Nest of Scorpions
Mentioned as being taken to Amsterdam by her father, Mynheer van den Poele, amid the Spanish threat.
I
Mentioned as Nicolaes's stolid wife, from whom he is glad to be away at camp.
Chapter VII
Mentioned as Maria, Gilda's tiring-woman, who repeats the spy rumor and shows disdain for Diogenes and Pythagoras.
III
Nicolaes's young wife is mentioned as being away, having left with her father for Amsterdam at the first rumor of the enemy's approach.
XVII: The Only World
Maria (Kaatje) recounts being bound and gagged by two ruffians, then released; she comforts Gilda with wine and maternal care.
I
Old serving-woman, bound and gagged by two ruffians, released and tends to Gilda with loyalty and warmth.

Chapter companion notes

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See Kaatje van den Poele in i a night on the veluwe

See Kaatje van den Poele in II