A Column of Fire

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International bestselling author Ken Follett continues the Kingsbridge series with a magnificent new epic set in 1558, amidst a city torn by religious conflict. The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral witness the precarious power struggle between Catholics and Protestants, where high principles clash with friendship, loyalty, and love. Ned Willard yearns to marry Margery Fitzgerald, but their romance is challenged by the growing divide. As tensions rise, Ned aligns himself with Princess Elizabeth, who, upon becoming queen, faces hostility from all of Europe. Determined to protect her reign, she establishes England’s first secret service to thwart assassination plots and invasions. Over a tumultuous fifty years, the love between Ned and Margery appears doomed as extremism ignites violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. Elizabeth’s throne and principles hang by a thread, defended by a small group of resourceful spies and courageous agents. The true conflict lies not between rival religions but between those who advocate for tolerance and compromise and the tyrants who seek to impose their beliefs at any cost. Set against one of history's most revolutionary backdrops, this epic tale is an exciting addition to the Kingsbridge series, appealing to both longtime fans and new readers alike.