Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his
world has changed. The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a
city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash
bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the
opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald. Then
Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. The
shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to
give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions and invasion plans.
Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in
Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the
rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the
new queen. Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems
doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth
clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small,
dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents, it becomes
clear that the real enemies - then as now - are not the rival religions. The
true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the
tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else - no matter the cost.