BOOK DETAILS

SYNOPSIS

1988 Target Books edition

When the TARDIS materialises on an apparently deserted Northumbrian beach, Steven disputes The Doctor’s claim that they have travelled back to the eleventh century. The discovery of a modern wristwatch in a nearby forest merely reinforces his opinion.

But it is 1066, the most important date in English history, and the Doctor’s arrival has not gone unnoticed. Observing the appearance of the TARDIS is a mysterious monk who recognises the time-machine for what it is. He also knows that The Doctor poses a serious threat to his master plan – a plan which, if successful, could alter the future of the entire world…

1992 Target Books edition

‘HOW DO YOU THINK IT WOULD AFFECT GALACTIC HISTORY? THINK IF THE TYRANTS OF THE MIDDLE AGES, IMAGINE THEM ROAMING THE UNIVERSE!’

The TARDIS materialises on a deserted Northumbrian beach. The Doctor says that he and his two companions have arrived in the eleventh century – but Steven finds a modern wristwatch in the nearby forest.

However, the years is AD 1066 and the Doctor’s arrival has been noticed by a mysterious monk who recognises the TARDIS as a time machine and its owner as a threat to his carefully laid plans.

The Time Meddler was first broadcast in 1965 and starred William Hartnell as the first incarnation of the Doctor, it has recently been shown again on BBC2. This novelisation is by Nigel Robinson, who has written a number of Doctor Who books including Timewyrm: Apocalypse, one of the New Adventures series.

NOTES

CHAPTER TITLES

• Prologue
  

1. The Watcher
   
2. The Saxons
   
3. The Monastery
   
4. Prisoners of the Saxons
   
5. The Vikings
   
6. An Empty Cell
   
7. Unwelcome Visitors
   
8. The Secret of the Monastery
   
9. The Monk’s Master Plan
   
10. A Threat to the Future
    
11. A Parting Gift

• Epilogue
  

DEVIATIONS FROM THE TELEVISED STORY

• In a prologue, Steven makes his way through the jungle, trying to avoid the Fungoids, and comes across the TARDIS.
  
• Although not technically a deviation, the novelisation states quite clearly that The Doctor and the Monk recognise each other immediately whereas the televised story, arguably, gives no such indication.
  
• In an epilogue featuring original content, the Monk makes several additional efforts to change the outcome of the Battle of Hastings, after his original plan fails, and before he discovers that The Doctor has marooned him in 1066.
  
• Steven and Vicki discuss The Monk’s plan as they did in the television serial, but The Doctor interrupts them and describes what the Monk’s plan will do to them. Since Steven and Vicki are both English, The Doctor states clearly if theMonk succeeds them they will never have existed because without the Vikings’ involvement, it’s possible one of their ancestors was Norman and if that ancestor is killed they could not exist.
  
• After stealing The Monk’s directional control from his TARDIS, The Doctor makes special mention of removing the atomic cannon from the cliff edge.