Kingsbridge book 1 · 1989
The Pillars of the Earth
In twelfth-century England, during the civil war known as the Anarchy, Tom Builder, a mason, dreams of building a cathedral, and Prior Philip of Kingsbridge sets out to make it happen. A story of ambition, faith and revenge across fifty years.
Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.
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Book facts
- Author
- Ken Follett
- Series
- Kingsbridge, book 1 of 5
- Published
- 1989
- Setting
- Set in the fictional Kingsbridge, England
- Story order
- Book 2 by the story’s timeline
- Characters charted
- 5
- Chart confidence
- High
In story order: after The Evening and the Morning and before World Without End.
Who is in The Pillars of the Earth
5 recurring or key characters from Ken Follett’s chart. Introduces Tom Builder, Prior Philip, Aliena, Jack Jackson and 1 more.
Lead 4
- Tom BuilderFirst appearanceMason who dreams of building a cathedral
- Prior PhilipFirst appearanceMonk who leads Kingsbridge Priory
- AlienaFirst appearanceEarl's daughter who builds a wool trade
- Jack JacksonFirst appearanceTom's stepson, a master builder
Major 1
- William HamleighFirst appearanceBrutal nobleman