The Armor of Light: A Novel

Ken Follett is a bestselling British author known for his historical novels. Among his most acclaimed works is the Kingsbridge series, set in the fictional English town of Kingsbridge. Spanning centuries, this series interweaves themes of power, faith, love, social change, and human resilience. As of 2025, the Kingsbridge series comprises five novels: The Pillars of the Earth (1989), World Without End (2007), A Column of Fire (2017), The Evening and the Morning (2020), and The Armor of Light (2023). The first entry, The Pillars of the Earth, is set in 12th-century England during a time of civil war and social unrest. The story revolves around the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. At the heart of the novel is Tom Builder, a mason with a dream of constructing a magnificent cathedral, and Prior Philip, a devout monk determined to reform and enrich his monastery. Follett intricately portrays the harshness and complexity of medieval life while also exploring ambition, corruption, and justice. The cathedral itself becomes a symbol of human aspiration and endurance.

Set about 200 years after The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End picks up in the same town of Kingsbridge, now more developed but still under the influence of the church and feudal lords.