The Pillars of the Earth

Witness a bloody fight for the throne - a star-studded historical epic

Star-studded historical epic. When King Henry's son dies, it kicks off a violent power struggle. Amidst the turmoil, ordinary people try and get on with their lives.

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The succession to the crown is thrown into doubt, threatening the throne.

Anarchy

The succession to the crown of England is in doubt and causes King Henry's daughter and nephew to compete for the throne. Church politics see Philip, a monk, elected the new prior, which leaves him indebted to Deacon Waleran.

A fire causes destruction but creates an opportunity for something new.

Master Builder

A fire destroys Kingsbridge church, giving Tom, son Alfred and stepson Jack the chance to build a new cathedral. Prior Philip learns the power of politics when he gets caught between Bishop Waleran and the Hamleighs' quest for Shiring Castle.

Aliena tries to help her father but will it do any good?

Redemption

Aliena protests her father's imprisonment. Prior Philip and William find themselves in a standoff over access to stone in the Shiring quarry. Jack's artistic talents take hold as he begins to carve a statue to honour the cathedral relic.

William claim's a title he believes is rightfully his, but discovers he's got competition.

Battlefield

William applies to have his father's title of Earl transferred to him, and discovers a mysterious knight is also a rival for the Earldom. King Stephen, frightened by Jack's appearance, orders an assassin to kill him.

Waleran and Regan engineer an exchange in an attempt to remain on the winning side.

Legacy

Waleran and Regan engineer the prisoner exchange so that they remain on the winning side of the war. Tom wants Jack and Alfred to be friends, but their rivalry over their work lives and Aliena is too intense.

Richard returns home to find his sister in dire straits.

Witchcraft

Richard returns from war to find his sister penniless, with no more money to support his knighthood. Alfred offers himself to Prior Philip as master-builder. Aliena has to choose between her love for Jack and her oath to her father.

Has Jack has learned how to fulfil Tom Builder's dream?

New Beginnings

Jack has learned how to fulfill Tom Builder's dream of a cathedral filled with light. Aliena tracks Jack by following the trail of his carvings. Waleran offers Philip a new position, but it means that Philip must always obey Waleran.

Jack's fixation with his work leaves him little time or energy for anything else.

The Work of Angels

Eight years later, Jack's fixation with the cathedral leaves him little time or energy for anything else, while Aliena's fixation with the distant Earldom of Shiring has married her to Alfred, a man she hates.

The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth

Series 1

1. Anarchy

2. Master Builder

3. Redemption

4. Battlefield

5. Legacy

6. Witchcraft

7. New Beginnings

8. The Work of Angels