St-John-in-the-Forest

This is the name of the small monastery where Philip is sent when he is first given the rank of prior. He quickly improves the fortunes of the monastery and sets his monks to work making goat cheese, which becomes a delicacy in larger priories like Kingsbridge. This is the same monastery to which Francis brings baby Jonathon upon first discovering him in the forest.

Aliena's Dagger

Aliena keeps the foot-long dagger, inherited from her father, strapped to her upper arm and hidden beneath her clothing. She has been forced to defend her life with this dagger several times in her youth and keeps it ever present on her person to remind her of her courage and strength.

Priory of Kingsbridge

At the beginning of the novel, this priory is in a state of bad disrepair. Once Prior Philip takes over its management, however, Kingsbridge Priory becomes...