A sinking ship puts the succession to the crown of England in jeopardy; a noble's family hopes for advancement through marriage falls through, and with it the need for a bridal home; the master mason of the home is dismissed without pay.

Tom Builder sees the damaged church at Kingbridge as a source of work, but the priory's coffers are empty; a forest bandit turned monk fosters an abandon child; the destruction by fire of the church becomes an answer to prayer.

Richard is given a chance to prove his loyalty by fighting on Stephen's side; Aliena goes into the fleece business to pay for his gear; William and his soldiers are faced down at the quarry, and he plots to change the site of the structure.

Four years pass, and Queen Maud is besieged by King Stephen's army; William discovers he has a rival for the Earldom; Waleran mocks Philip after plotting to destroy his fair license; an army arrives to break the siege.

Philip receives a reprieve from death when his brother appears; Waleran and Regan plot, discussing the prisoner exchange; Faced with Maud, the Hamleighs and Philip are given divided rights to land; Philip and Jack return to celebration.

Kingsbridge grieves over the loss of its master builder and the destruction of its fair; Alfred offers himself to Philip as master builder; Ellen helps Jack escape from the cell where he landed after his furious outburst.