Fans of historical fiction -- here's a book for you! Ken Follett's 3rd installment in the "Pillars of the Earth" series takes place in the years 1550 - 1610, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Religious intolerance reigns throughout Europe, and the various royal families and their courts have endless plots against one another.
The book follows the descendants of the original Kingsbridge families (from "Pillars"), and Follett inserts them into key moments from the period. We encounter the tensions between the followers of Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, witness royal assassination attempts, the smuggling of Catholic priests into England, the smuggling of French language Bibles into France from Switzerland, sea battles, and a bit of the Spanish Inquisition.
What a turbulent time in history! It really comes down to those who advocate religious tolerance against those who would impose a state religion upon their citizens, and Follett portrays it all in a compelling, readable book.
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