 Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels  The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and Worlds Without End – 4 number 1 ranking on the New York Times bestseller list

 The Pillars of the Earth is a historical novel by Ken Follett published in 1989 about the building of a cathedral  The Pillars of the Earth became Follett’s best-selling work

 Set during the reign of King Stephen and the Anarchy, the novel explores themes of intrigue and conspiracy

 Jack Jackson  Son of Ellen  a clever young architect and stonemason

 Aliena  Daughter to the Earl of Shiring  she becomes the lover/wife of Jack.  She is very beautiful

 Prior Philip  A resourceful and dedicated monk  dreams to see Kingsbridge rise to greatness  is the benevolent ruler of Kingsbridge

 Tom Builder  A penniless builder and architect  His lifelong dream is to build a cathedral  Loyal and hardworking

 Ellen :  Very literate woman  mother of Jack Jackson  she lives in the woods and is considered by some to be a witch

 William Hamleigh  The son of a minor lord  is in love with Aliena  Is sadistic and cruel  lives for power and revenge

 Bishop Waleran Bigod  ambitious, devious, and corrupt cleric  constantly schemes his ways into more power.  plots with William to bring about Philip's and Aliena's downfall

 Alfred, Martha and Jonathan - children of Tom and Agnes

 Percy and Regan Hamleigh – parents of William  King Stephen

 Follett, K.: The Pillars of the Earth. London : Pan Books, 2007  salem/ken-follett

Daniel Dědič 2011/2012