Two hundred years after the construction of the great cathedral, the medieval town of Kingsbridge is taken under siege by Queen Isabella. Caris, a visionary young woman, inspires her people to stand up for their rights and revolt against to the most powerful forces of her time, the Church and the Crown.
Episodes
Knight
Queen Isabella defeats and imprisons her husband King Edward II, crowning their young son Edward III. In the town of Kingsbridge, made famous in PILLARS OF THE EARTH, rumors are rampant that the imprisoned King has been murdered. A knight filled with secrets arrives in Kingsbridge seeking sanctuary. He will change the fate of all its citizens.
King
Kingsbridge is busy with its Fleece Fair, but the town's creaking, rickety bridge may fail any day. After being forced into a loveless marriage, Caris continues to see Merthin and tries to win him the opportunity to rebuild the town's bridge. A witch trial results in spectacular tragedy.
Prior
After the bridge collapse, Caris helps the wounded and hopes to open a hospital. Godwyn schemes to become Prior following the suspicious drowning of Prior Anthony. King Edward III declares war on France, and the Hundred Years' War begins.
Check
Petranilla will stop at nothing to see Godwyn’s power rise continue. When Caris tries to foil Godwyn’s plans, she is framed for murder and faces execution.
Pawns
Forced to become a nun, Caris travels to France to petition the King to stop Godwyn’s sinister plans. She finds herself in the middle of a spectacular war raging between England and France. The British army is surrounded on all sides and faces defeat.
Rook
The Black Death makes it way to England. Kingsbridge is ravaged by the plague and the town descends into chaos.
Queen
Godwyn is shocked to discover Caris has been made Prior. A peasant rebellion rises up against Kingsbridge’s Crown-appointed Lord Ralph.
Checkmate
Caris and Merthin are reunited in love, but it may be too late. Godwyn will stop at nothing to destroy Caris and see her burned as a witch. The King’s Army arrives to quell the peasant rebellion and destroy Kingsbridge. Brother Thomas reveals a great secret.
Top Cast
Oliver Maltman
Bishop Richard
David Bradley
Brother Joseph
Ben Chaplin
Sir Thomas Langley
Charlotte Riley
Caris
Cynthia Nixon
Petranilla
Carlo Rota
Edmund
Rupert Evans
Godwyn
Nora Waldstätten
Gwenda
Miranda Richardson
Mother Cecilia
Kostja Ullmann
Holger
