Wij, heren van Zichem

- Season 1

(1969)

Rich, haughty farmer Peter Coene believes fortune elevates above 'the castle', so his son Fons's choice, the sexton's daughter, is beneath their station. Before reporting to curate Munte as altar-boy, Matte's rascal son Lewie steals at home for the benefit of old vagrant beggar and odd jobs man Wannes Raps, who reads the crazy liturgy parody which the superstitious rabble believes to ward off ghosts. Wannes compounds his 26th arrest for rabbit poaching by throwing a stone trough the constable's window.

Coene's son Fos fails to talk his beloved Marie out of entering a nunnery. His clergy-destined brother Herman visits from boarding prep school, bitterly feeling ignored by dad. The village splits over impending elections. Hearing vagrant Wannes' intention to attend mass after confession the first time in 20 years, albeit it in Diest monastery to avoid the curate, Mette's family's generosity stretches to providing fit second-hand cloths, but the good for nothing dies on the road. Father Munte still grants the sinful pauper a free mass, despite bigot criticism. And ...

Altar boy Lewie recruits for his rascally gang vagrant laborer's son Gust, even dragging the knave to catechism, where curate Munte's impatience doesn't bode well. Broos is getting married, but the curate supposes that's the case of his less ignorant friend Niske. Rich farmer Coene bitterly accepts to give a tenant an extension while stressing his 50 years old grudge against the baronial family.

After an ode to the local countryside, curate Munte visits the old baron, discussing the sad result of his 30 years feud with rich tenant Coene, scolding his effigy of the baroness who left 10 years ago and promises to get help from his son, now a rich Congo colony colonel. Lewie commits an instantly regretted semi-accidental theft, which is handled trough unorthodox use of confessional chair confidence. The notary sadly hands Coene the deeds transferring the last castle woodland in exchange for a pension for the baron.

The curate's letter via the Congo mission and his family make the baron's heir Luc consider returning, at least for the summer holiday, but the old baron dies meanwhile. The son still chooses to redeem the castle and immediate surroundings, despite the excessive cost, thus frustrating Coene's ultimate revenge. the conservative curate firmly opposes the liberal party's 'progressive' electoral campaign, and especially support from the nunnery superior, mother Hyacinth 'Cent'.

As the mayoral dance preceding the municipal elections approaches, bachelors hope it to be a step-stone for couple building. Herman Coene, on summer holiday, abstains, to please pa, unlike brother Fions, but his girl afterward stick to her monastical vows plan. Hein makes fine profess, despite teasing from rascal brother Lewie. The blacksmith's son Niske lets his girl convince him to a fugue together, which spoils dad's joy over the Liberals' electoral victory, crushing the catholics nevertheless, the curate helps him patch up to get Niske home.

Lewie teaches a hypocritical devout prude's parrot cursing, inspired by the blacksmith, whom the curate scolds for not cleaning up his rascally act now he's elected in political office. A marriage plan arouses various discussions. The parish choir is tempted to strike unless promised an annual dinner.

Lewie counsels his rascal mate, who is likely to be caned in class for the first time, like Lewie for the umpteenth, to stuff his trousers, but an overdose of hay results in an over the knee spanking on the bare. The curate acts as an love messenger between spinster Emma and rich Mr. Parmentier. The sexton looses patience in the dealings with the parish choir, so the blacksmith organizes a vocal strike during the wedding mass.

Lewie's eyesight is getting worse, but dad wouldn't consult a doctor until big brother brings him in temporarily blinded. To old Coene's anger, the young baron and his family arrive to move into the castle. The curate pays the choir's dinner from the wedding fee, despite the sexton's fury at the deserters.

Altarboy Lewie's eyesight worsened further, as his pa's does, but the doctor finally examines him properly to arrange treatment in time for his catechism class's confirmation. His brother and Coene's son are among those who wrestle with the courage required to make their love work.