French-born queen Isabella orchestrated a rebellion to defeat and imprison king Edward II, who is murdered in prison, and plans a rule of terror with her lover, Roger Mortimer, through her son, Edward III, who soon finds out their game. Ambitious Kingsbridge noble Sir Roland convinces the queen to be her only loyal veteran there and is made earl of Shiring instead of Sir Gerald, who is condemned to death. Gerald's sons are spared, but only Ralph, victor in a fraternal fist duel, remains at court as squire, smarter Merthin suffers as apprentice of builder Elfric, a brutal fool. A mysterious knight, Sir Thomas Langley, kills his royal persecutors and buys asylum as prospective monk in the monastery where his serious arm wound is treated. Prior Anthony fails to get the nunnery to pay for his clumsy nephew Godwin's university tuition, so his mother, Petronilla, moves in with her brother, wool merchant Edmund, whose capital conviction is commuted into crushing of both legs.
—KGF Vissers