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The Pillars of the Earth
Pillars of the Earth Q1 2019
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Pillars of the Earth, Part 5 (of 6)
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NancyJ, Moderator
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Jan 11, 2019 06:41PM
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Hi everyone, I found this group from Nancy's post in another group. I have just finished reading it, I can just copy/paste my comments from that group into the relevant threads here, I hope that's okay:Jan 11, 2019 10:19AM
MK (wisny) | 2865 comments I finished Chapter 13, Part 4, and have begun Chapter 14, Part 5. Part 5 is seven years after the end of Part 4.
In Part 4, I finally learnt how Remigius knows Ellen so well! He was the confessor of former Prior James.
Anyway, Jack and the Weeping Madonna, and Aliena arrive at Kingsbridge just in time for the close of Philip's sermon on the lesson of hope inherent in the story of Job. There is this, and that, and some more, and at the end, Jack is master builder of the new Sainte-Denis style Cathedral at Kingsbridge, which will be dedicated to the Virgin Mary rather than Saint Adolphus. William's plan to kill Jack in another raid on Kingsbridge is thwarted when Aliena's brother Richard learns of it three days in advance, and Jack concocts a plan to build a wall around the town in the two days that remain, before market day on Sunday. However, Waleran and William manage to get Aliena's annulment from Alfred denied. Aliena and Jack must agree to Philip's terms that they not live together, because the master builder must not be engaged in adultery.
Aliena gets pregnant again, nevertheless ;-).
UGH....frigging WILLIAM, eh? I mean, when Waleran conspired to get him made sheriff allll I could think of was the awful sheriff of Notingham from (my absolute #1 favorite) animated Disney film, 'Robin Hood'. (He was a big, fat, stupid wolf)Also-- even though this is seemingly Richard's *destiny* (for lack of a better word), this is the only time that the HOLY LAND is really discussed at any length in the book, aside from Philip's knowledge of geography (Damascus) allowing him to figure out that Jack's Arab was a fake...I rather wish that readers knew more about the area Richard will be going to for his penance. --Jen from Quebec :0)
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And the Crusades. Was RIchard a part of the really violent crusades or was that a different time period?
Later Thomas Becket makes it into the story. I didn't remember much about him, even though I saw a movie about him long ago.
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It's the Crusades you're thinking of. I don't exactly remember the time frame of the book, but it'd have to be if not the beginning than the early Crusades.
There was obviously the armies, but often nobility and such would embark on "crusades" as well during the time with their own militias. It ended up being they would make the journey, ransack some places, and head home. It's not clear what aspect Richard was involved in. Maybe both since he didn't return to England.
I have to echo the thoughts of Richard and the "outlaws" as Robin Hood & his merry men stealing from the "haves-more" to help their group of "have-a lot-less". I went right there when he began to organize them & be successful. I'm like you Jen, LOVE the story of Robin Hood :)
MK wrote: "Hi everyone, I found this group from Nancy's post in another group. I have just finished reading it, I can just copy/paste my comments from that group into the relevant threads here, I hope that's ..."Building that wall was a genius move. It was great to see William defeated and have to crawl away in shame like the worm he was.
Jen from Quebec :0) wrote: "UGH....frigging WILLIAM, eh? I mean, when Waleran conspired to get him made sheriff allll I could think of was the awful sheriff of Notingham from (my absolute #1 favorite) animated Disney film, 'R..."LOL Brilliant move by the author to make William Sheriff and remind us of the Robin Hood legend.
