NotreDamedePariswaspublishedbyVictoriaHugoin1831andisoneofhismanyhistoricalnovels,setinfifteenthcenturyParis.ThearchdeaconofNotreDame,acertainClaudeFrollo,fallsinlustwithEsmerelda-agypsydancer-whoismuchadmiredbythecrowdsofthecity.Athisinstruction,Quasimodo,thegrotesquehunchbackedbell-ringerofNotreDamewhohehasbefriended,kidnapsher.HerrescueisbroughtaboutbyPhoebusdeChateaupers(CaptainoftheRoyalArchers)andshefallsmistakenlyinlovewithhisbraverywhenheisinrealitysomethingofarogueandabraggart.FrollofollowsEsmereldatoameetingwithPhoebuswhohesatbsbeforeherleavinghertobesentencedtodeathforthemurder.Quasimodohasbecomehereffectiveslaveduetoasingleactofkindnessandtakeshertosanctuaryinthecathedral.AdventuresfollowincludingabandofgypsiesattempttosaveEsmereldafromthecathedral,thedisguisedFrollo’spersuasionofthegirltoleavewithhimandthebriefreturnofEsmereldatohermother.ThesadfinaleinvolvestheArchers’fiercearrestofEsmerelda,herhangingandQuasimodo’swretchedmiseryatthelossofthegirl.ThereissomeretributionforFrollohowever,andthestory,thoughnotalwaysfollowinghistoryveryclosely,presentsavividpictureofmedievalParis.