The Pillars of the Earth Summary
Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth Summary

The Pillars of the Earth is a departure from author Ken Follett's typical suspense thriller. However, like his spy novels and fast-paced adventure tales, The Pillars of the Earth is meticulously researched and offers an insider's glimpse at the richly detailed world that his characters inhabit. The world he presents in this saga-length novel is England during the twelfth century. More specifically, the story takes place during the time now known to historians as The Anarchy. For much of the twelfth century, England's society, politics, and religion were in a continual state of upheaval resulting from King Stephen's tenuous grip on the throne. Prior to Stephen, King Henry I ruled England, but the sinking of the White Ship in the early 1120's left Henry without a rightful heir. Upon Henry's death in 1135, a battle for the crown ensues. The main contenders are King Stephen, who quickly grabs the throne... View more of the The Pillars of the Earth Summary