World Without End

The drama climaxes in the final instalment. Prior Saul's monastery is full of rotting bodies, but Godwyn is still alive and seemingly disease-free, though clearly insane.

Back in Kingsbridge, no one is safe from the Plague. Petranilla's rose infects Roland even within the safety of his castle, and she hints to Ralph that he should have been Earl of Shiring.

Ralph convinces Queen Isabella to appoint him Earl of Shiring which allows him to choose a wife. He forces Philip to accept him, but she later escapes him with devastating consequences.

Godwyn has survived the plague and appears mad, but Petranilla succeeds in having him appointed Bishop of Kingsbridge. He immediately throws Caris out of the convent, and sentences her to be burned as a witch.

Infuriated by Godwyn's constant abuse of power, Thomas finally reveals to Caris and Merthin his enormous secret. Convinced by Isabella that Kingsbridge is a hotbed of rebellion, Edward's army surrounds the town.

Thomas rallies the townspeople to Kingsbridge's defence, but is it too late?