A Column of Fire

In 1558, Ned Willard returns to Kingsbridge, hoping to see his love, Margery. However, her brother, Rollo, tells Ned that Margery is now engaged to Bart Shiring, a man she does not love. Margery resents her parents' decision and rebels against the arranged marriage. Her family is driven by a desire for social standing, and her father insists on the wedding and physically punishes her for her disobedience. At a feast, political tensions rise surrounding the question of Queen Mary Tudor’s succession and Princess Elizabeth's potential ascension as a Protestant ruler. Ned also learns of a French attack on Calais that threatens his family's fortune. He is offered a position with Princess Elizabeth, but this plan is thwarted by his mother, who insists that he look after his family’s interests. Margery and Ned later share a secret kiss, but their future remains uncertain. The night ends with a violent incident at the banquet’s play, stemming from the religious and social divide between the Protestant and Catholic residents of Kingsbridge.

During celebrations in Paris over the successful siege on Calais, Pierre Aumande exploits the revelers for money. Spotting a lucky gambler, Pierre weaves a story about luck and exploits the man’s sympathy. However, his confidence scheme is interrupted when a previous victim exposes his deceit. Attempting to escape, Pierre is apprehended by Gaston Le Pin, who takes him to the Guise family. Although he fears punishment, Pierre unexpectedly impresses Duke Francois de Guise (better known as Scarface) and his brother, Charles. They task him with spying on the Protestants in Paris. Pierre also suggests orchestrating a royal wedding to enhance the king's popularity, and the brothers agree.

Sylvie Palot, the daughter of a Protestant bookseller, encounters Pierre Aumande at a fish market. She is initially pleased with his attention but is disappointed when she realizes that he wants information about her family's Protestant activities. Despite her reservations, Sylvie agrees to meet Pierre at the bookshop. Following his visit, she has lingering concerns about his trustworthiness but still heads to meet him with a book of Protestant teachings. They kiss, and Pierre departs.

In another part of Paris, Alison McKay tells her friend Mary Stuart (the Queen of the Scots) and Francis (heir to the French throne) that they will be married on the Sunday after Easter. Francis is distressed and leaves the room, allowing Alison to talk with Mary alone. The girls express their concerns about Francis's frailty, and Mary does not believe that he can consummate the marriage.

Margery’s brother, Rollo, is aware of his family's financial struggles after the loss of Calais and consequently becomes involved in an investment opportunity presented by Dan Cobley and boat captain Jonas Bacon. They offer a cargo of furs from the Baltic Sea, but Rollo lacks the required funds. Rollo's father, Reginald, seeks a loan from Alice Willard, the leading merchant in the city and Ned's mother. Negotiations become tense, involving threats toward Alice and the compromise of allowing her the temporary use of the priory during the loan. Ned learns that Alice plans to build an indoor market at the priory and use it to offset their family’s losses from Calais. Ned, who is skeptical of Reginald, goes in search of Margery, and they share a kiss. Rollo interrupts, and a scuffle ensues. Rollo and Bart Shiring (Margery’s betrothed) assault Ned, leaving him injured. Later, Margery is coerced by Bishop Julius into agreeing to marry Bart to honor her parents' wishes. On Monday, Ned confronts Rollo, but Margery tearfully explains that she believes it is her holy duty to obey her parents and marry Bart. Ned argues that she should not marry someone she doesn't love. Margery insists that the marriage to Bart is God's wish and asks Ned to leave.

Barney Willard, Ned’s brother, waits on the Seville waterfront for information about his family’s losses in Calais. He lives with his cousin, Carlos Cruz, who is a weapons manufacturer. A giant ship, the Hawk, arrives, and Barney speaks with the first mate, but the man has no news. As Barney patrols the waterfront, he reflects on Spain's somber atmosphere, strict dress codes, and the forbidden love between him and a woman named Jeronima. At Carlos's house, tensions rise as Sancho Sanchez offers to buy Carlos's business. Despite the potential threat, Carlos refuses. That night, Ebrima Dabo, a man enslaved by Carlos, dreams of freedom. The next day, before attending Mass with Carlos, Ebrima performs a water rite for the river god to give him the strength to endure.

Barney and the rest of the family attend Mass at Seville Cathedral, where Carlos faces rejection from the father of the girl he loves due to his English heritage. The new inquisitor, Father Alonso, also sparks fear of a witch hunt. Despite work restrictions on Sundays, Carlos and Ebrima run an experiment with the new furnace and produce liquid iron. Their success angers rival iron makers, leading to complaints and a visit from Father Alonso. Barney learns about Aunt Betsy's past and discovers that her late husband was a converted Muslim. Jeronima also faces a bleak future, for she is cornered by the advances of Archdeacon Romero and her father's imprisonment. After his work on the furnace, Ebrima wants to urge Carlos to free him, but his plan is thwarted when men come to destroy the furnace and attack the two of them.

In the aftermath, Betsy suggests that they and Barney flee to Spain to avoid the danger that both Sancho and Alonso pose. She also expresses her love for Ebrima and her determination to protect him from the Inquisition. Three men find a recruiter for a mission with an undisclosed purpose, and Carlos, Barney, and Ebrima join the crew. Although Captain Ironhand Gomez says they cannot have a slave, neither Barney nor Carlos acknowledges Ebrima as being free.

Margery's wedding is delayed due to Bart's military obligations amid the threat of a French invasion, and Ned is relieved by the opportunity to convince Margery to leave with him. Meanwhile, Reginald's investment fails as the French capture the ship. Despite their losses, Alice and Ned explore the ruined priory with hopeful plans for a marketplace. Alice faces resistance from Bishop Julius, who is displeased with their presence, but she hopes for cooperation in developing Kingsbridge. Meanwhile, Rollo learns from a drunk Donal Gloser about the Cobley family's Protestant beliefs and illegal meetings.

Bishop Julius confronts Reginald about the stolen French investment. Rollo, believing that the Cobleys knew the shipment would be stolen, plans to use the information he learned to implicate Philbert Cobley in heresy in order to exact revenge. Rollo coerces Donal into admitting to attending Protestant services, but his mother intervenes and asserts his innocence. Rollo takes Donal to Bishop Julius and Reginald, threatening torture to extract information. Fearing for his soul, Donal reveals the location and participants of the Protestant services. Bishop Julius instructs Rollo and Reginald to arrest the Protestants. Rollo, his father, and the watchmen reach the widow's house, where they find Philbert leading a service. Reginald arrests them and singles out Philbert as the chief offender.

Alison, a friend of Mary Stuart, is summoned to meet the Queen of France the day before Mary's wedding. The queen reveals a plan to fake the evidence of her virginity prior to the consummation of the marriage by using a bladder filled with blood to deceive witnesses. The next day, during the royal wedding, Pierre seeks approval to propose to Sylvie as part of his mission to infiltrate the Paris Protestant community. Despite lacking genuine feelings for Sylvie, Pierre succeeds in gaining her father’s acceptance. They watch the wedding procession, where Mary appears in an unexpected white gown, causing surprise among the spectators because it is a mourning color in France. Despite Alison's earlier attempt to dissuade Mary from wearing the dress, she admires her friend's angelic appearance. As the ceremony proceeds, Alison is saddened by the knowledge that Mary is trapped in a marriage that is not right for her or Francis.

Sylvie, meanwhile, is overjoyed by Pierre's proposal. After attending Mass, they head to their Protestant church. Sylvie wishes for an early marriage, but Pierre wants to wait for his mother. They arrive at an old hunting lodge for the Protestant service. Guillaume, a visiting pastor, preaches about the Pope's mistreatment of non-Catholics. After the service, a discussion about the burning of a dissenter, Michel Sevet, reveals tensions within the Protestant community regarding tolerance. Sylvie introduces Pierre to the congregation, but tensions rise again when he refers to himself and Louise, the marchioness, as "country bumpkins." Afterward, Sylvie notices hatred in Pierre's eyes.

After a masked ball, entertainment, and a large supper, only the consummation ceremony remains for Mary’s wedding celebrations. Alison pities Mary, knowing that any mishap could lead to public humiliation. She and a few other ladies helped Mary to prepare. Mary resolves to use the bladder of blood to feign the loss of her virginity. In the royal bedchamber, they find an audience waiting. Mary and Francis climb onto the bed, and Alison watches nervously. Afterward, the audience seems convinced, and Alison is relieved.

Reginald refuses to transfer ownership of the Priory to Alice, leading to a trial where Alice presents her case. Ned, holding a grudge against the Fitzgerald family (with the exception of Margery), suspects Donal of betraying them. Rollo speaks in place of his father and accuses Alice of asking for interest. Bishop Julius is brought forward and supports Rollo. The judge rules against Alice, forfeiting the loan and all interest. The Willard family faces ruin, and Alice wants to warn her other son, Barney, who has joined the Spanish Army. Ned contemplates taking Cecil up on his earlier offer of employment with Princess Elizabeth.

The following day, a trial for Protestants takes place. They recant their beliefs under threat. Philbert appears to have been tortured into signing his confession. Ned accuses the Bishop of torturing the man, which is illegal in England, but he is ordered to stay silent. Despite pleas for mercy, Bishop Julius condemns Philbert to death by burning. As the Fitzgeralds have won, Ned knows that his marriage plans with Margery are now impossible even if Bart dies. He, along with the rest of Kingsbridge, watches Philbert’s execution.

Ned makes the journey to Hatfield to seek employment with Cecil. Although she is not a prisoner, Elizabeth is closely watched, and Cecil initially doubts Ned’s intentions. After Ned persuades Cecil of his dedication and commitment to Elizabeth's cause, Cecil agrees to a trial period of employment. Ned meets Elizabeth and admires her intelligence and passion. During a meeting, Earl Swithin requests a private conversation with Elizabeth. Ned overhears him trying to seduce her and intervenes. Elizabeth thanks Ned for protecting her and retreats to her chamber with her governess.

In Kingsbridge, Margery has her first kiss with Bart in their new home, Priory Gate. The news of Queen Mary Tudor's illness reaches them, with Margery feeling sympathy and disdain for the queen. They plan to travel to Brussels to convince King Felipe to endorse Mary Stuart over Elizabeth as the heir.

Ned returns to Kingsbridge for Margery’s wedding. He seeks out Dan Cobley (the man who offered Rollo a ruinous investment opportunity). Ned urges Dan to join the Protestant cause. Ned learns that there are 400 ready Protestant men in Kingsbridge. The wedding between Margery and Bart takes place, and Ned observes Margery’s distress. Although he still harbors feelings for her, he is now committed to his work for Elizabeth and the cause of religious tolerance. The news that the Fitzgeralds went to Brussels raises concerns for Elizabeth's safety. Ned and Cecil strategize to sway the Spanish Count of Feria to support Elizabeth, and they catch the count before his return to King Felipe. Feria is skeptical but agrees to convey the message. Meanwhile, Mary Tudor's health declines, and Elizabeth gains support from nobles and businesses unhappy with religious persecution. Ned works with others on military plans to counter a potential Catholic uprising. Feria eventually returns, announcing King Felipe's support for Elizabeth. However, Feria tries to impose conditions, leading Elizabeth to assert her independence and refuse Felipe's terms.

As the new Viscountess Shiring, Margery must manage the household at her home in New Castle, but she faces resistance from the servants. She asserts her authority, clashing with the housekeeper. Meanwhile, Rollo anxiously awaits the archbishop's reply to his letter, in which he seeks support for an armed fight against Elizabeth. He is disappointed when the reply never arrives. In London, Mary Tudor dies, and Ned rushes to inform Elizabeth that she has been declared the next queen.