History Isn't Finished: Becoming a Time Meddler

Materials Needed:

• A copy of Cecilia Holland's short story, 'Repulse at Hastings, October 14, 1066'.
• Access to the Doctor Who serial 'The Time Meddler' (Season 2, 1965). This may be available on streaming services like BritBox, or for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, or on DVD.
• Notebook and pen/pencil, or a word processing document.
• Paper for brainstorming (or a whiteboard).
• Optional: Art supplies for the comic strip option (drawing paper, pens, markers).

Lesson Overview & Goals

History often feels like a set of unchangeable facts. But what if one small thing changed? In this lesson, we'll explore the exciting concept of "alternate history." We will use a classic Doctor Who episode and a powerful short story as our guides to see how one person's actions can reshape the world. Your final goal is to step into the role of a "Time Meddler" yourself and create a compelling new timeline based on a single change to a historical event.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze how a single "point of divergence" can create a new historical timeline.
• Compare and contrast the motivations and methods of historical intervention in 'The Time Meddler' and 'Repulse at Hastings'.
• Develop and outline an original alternate history scenario based on a single historical change.
• Create a compelling narrative (short story, comic strip, or script) that illustrates a key moment in your new timeline.

Part 1: Investigating the Interference (Approx. 60 minutes + viewing/reading time)

First, we need to gather our evidence. How do our two stories handle the idea of changing history? Complete the reading and viewing before moving on to the questions.

Activity 1: Watch 'The Time Meddler'

As you watch, think about the Monk. He's not trying to destroy the world; he's trying to "improve" it from his perspective. Pay attention to his specific plan and his reasons for it.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the Monk's specific plan for the Battle of Hastings? What technology is he using to achieve it?
• What are the Monk's motivations? Does he seem evil, or just misguided? Why does the Doctor disagree so strongly with his plan?
• The Doctor says, "You can't rewrite history! Not one line!" Why do you think he believes this is so important? What are the potential dangers of the Monk's "meddling"?

Activity 2: Read 'Repulse at Hastings, October 14, 1066'

This story presents a different kind of historical change—one that feels like it could have happened. As you read, focus on Gytha and her role in the battle's turning point.

Discussion Questions:

• Unlike the Monk's atomic cannon, the change here is very small and human. What is the key action that leads to the "repulse" of the Normans?
• How does Cecilia Holland build suspense and make the battle feel immediate and real? Point to specific sentences or descriptions.
• In this new timeline, King Harold survives and William does not conquer England. What does the end of the story suggest the immediate future of England might look like?

Part 2: The Point of Divergence (Approx. 30 minutes)

The "point of divergence" is the exact moment history splits into a new path. Both of our stories have one. Let's compare them.

Activity: Compare the Interventions

In your notebook, create a simple chart to compare the two stories. This will help you see the different ways alternate history can be created.

Guiding Questions:

• Which story feels more plausible? Why?
• Does a story need a sci-fi element to be considered alternate history?
• Both stories show that history can pivot on a single moment. What does this suggest about the nature of cause and effect?

Part 3: Your Turn to Meddle (Project Work - Allow a few days for this)

Now it's your turn to create a new timeline. You will design your own alternate history, starting with a single point of divergence, and then bring a piece of it to life.

Step 1: Choose Your Point of Divergence

Pick a historical event you find interesting. The change can be small and personal (like in 'Repulse at Hastings') or larger and more technological (like in 'The Time Meddler'). The key is that it's a single change. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• What if the Library of Alexandria never burned?
• What if the Spanish Armada had successfully invaded England?
• What if Archduke Franz Ferdinand's driver had not taken a wrong turn in Sarajevo?
• What if Leonardo da Vinci had built one of his flying machines successfully?

Step 2: Brainstorm the Ripple Effect

Once you have your event, brainstorm the consequences. Think in waves. First, what happens immediately? Then, what happens a year later? 50 years later? 200 years later? How does your one change affect technology, culture, politics, and daily life?

Example: If Harold wins at Hastings -> The English language would have far fewer French-derived words -> English culture remains more Anglo-Saxon/Germanic -> Feudalism might not develop in the same way -> The relationship with France is completely different for the next 1,000 years.

Step 3: Create Your Story

Choose one of the following formats to showcase a key moment or character from your new timeline. Your goal is not to tell the entire history, but to give a vivid snapshot of what this new world feels like.

Project Options:

1. Short Story (750-1500 words): Write a narrative scene from the perspective of someone living in your new timeline. Focus on showing the reader how the world is different, rather than just telling them.
2. Comic Strip or Graphic Story (2-4 pages): Visually tell a short story from your alternate history. Use both images and words to convey the setting, characters, and the impact of the historical change.
3. Script (3-5 pages): Write a short scene for a play or a movie set in your new world. Focus on dialogue that reveals the historical differences and the conflict within the scene.

Project Evaluation Criteria:

• Clarity of Divergence: Is it clear what single historical event was changed?
• Plausible Consequences: Do the changes in your new world logically follow from the point of divergence? (Plausible doesn't mean "realistic," just that it makes sense within the rules of your world).
• Creative Engagement: Is the story compelling? Do the characters and setting feel alive?
• Format Execution: Does the project effectively use the chosen format (story, comic, or script)?

Part 4: Reflection (15 minutes)

After finishing your project, take a moment to reflect on the process.

• What was the most challenging part of creating your alternate history?
• What "ripple effect" from your change surprised you the most as you developed it?
• Has this project changed how you think about history? If so, how?

Extension Ideas (Optional)

• Research the "Real" History: Dive deeper into the actual historical event you chose to change. How did things really happen? Who were the key figures? This will make your alternate version even richer.
• Create a "Meddler's Journal": Write a series of journal entries from the perspective of the person who caused your point of divergence. Was it on purpose? Was it an accident? Do they regret it or are they proud of it?
• Find More Examples: Explore other works of alternate history, such as the TV show The Man in the High Castle, the video game series Wolfenstein, or novels like The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon or Fatherland by Robert Harris.