The saga that has enthralled the millions of readers of The Pillars of the Earth & World Without End now continues with Ken Follett`s magnificent, gripping A Column of Fire. Christmas 1558, & young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed. The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty & love, & Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald. Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen & all of Europe turns against Engl&. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country`s first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions & invasion plans. Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the rightful ruler of Engl&, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the new queen. Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned & Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne & her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies & courageous secret agents, it becomes clear that the real enemies
- then as now
- are not the rival religions. The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance & compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else
- no matter the cost.