Plot Synopsis

Two hundred years after construction of the great cathedral in PILLARS OF THE EARTH, a group of 14th-century Englishmen struggle to survive amidst natural disaster, plague, and civil war. When Queen Isabella deposes her husband, Edward II, secretly ordering him killed, she installs their son, Edward III, on the throne. Thomas Langley, a knight involved in the plot, flees; wounded by the Queen's men, he finds sanctuary in the Kingsbridge priory and becomes a monk, where Caris, the town's Healer's aspiring young apprentice tends to his wounds. Caris, who poses a threat to her cousin Godwyn, the prior of Kingsbridge, is put on trial as a witch, but she escapes execution -- and the control of her aunt, Petranilla -- to become a nun at a convent, where she flourishes under mentor Mother Cecilia. As Mother Cecilia encourages Caris to build a hospice for the sick, Godwyn steals the money for her project, forcing Caris to travel to France to seek an order from the King that the money be returned. Caris' skills become even more important as the Black Death spreads throughout Europe, and she tends to ailing residents of Kingsbridge, acting as the town's spiritual leader after Mother Cecilia perishes and Godwyn flees to a monastery in the forest. As Kingsbridge emerges from the Plague, the Crown forces, led by King Edward III, attack Kingsbridge, intending to burn it to the ground in reprisal for a rebellion against Godwyn's tyranny. It is finally revealed that Thomas Langley is in fact King Edward II, who managed to fool Isabella and escape death. He sacrifices himself to defend the town, and when the battle is over, Godwyn has been slain and Petranilla has taken her own life. Edward III withdraws his forces, leaving Caris and the other Kingsbridge citizens looking forward to a brighter future. ReelzChannel aired the U.S. premiere of this miniseries on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 9pm, showing the first two episodes back to back as a single, two-hour event.