Doctor Who Chronology: 1st-17th Centuries

Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, better known as the Mona Lisa.

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Or travel backward through time to Prehistory.

c. AD 6

At this time, the area around what will become 10 Downing Street in London is nothing more than marshland.

"2000 years" before "World War Three" (DW2), as mentioned by the Doctor.

AD 27

Exit Wounds (TW): Jack is brought to the Cardiff area in this time by Captain John Hart, who has been forced into this action by Jack's vengeful brother, Gray. After a confrontation between the two brothers, Gray buries Jack in the ground that will eventually become the foundation for the city of Cardiff, placing the immortal Jack in a permanent cycle of suffocation and resurrection. However, John secretly ensures that Jack is buried with a ring that gives off a signal that advanced enough techonology will eventually be able to detect.

The year is given in an on-screen caption and later confirmed by Gray.

Jesus Christ, inspiration for the Christian religion, is crucified for crimes against the state and apparently rises from the dead three days later. The Doctor claimsto have been present.

"Planet of the Dead" (DW2). Exact placement is conjecture and is based on my choosing 6 BC as the year of Christ's birth and given the traditional age of 33 years at the time of his death.

AD 62

February 5: A powerful earthquake causes widespread destruction in Pompeii. The quake reawakens a ship of Pyroviles, rock- and magma-based aliens, reduced to dust when their craft crashed thousands of years before. When certain citizens of Pompeii inhale the dust, the Pyroviles take control of them, bonding with them psychically. A rift in time caused by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79 also grants those individuals the ability to see into the future, although it is an alternative future, wherein Vesuvius does not erupt. These individuals become extremely accurate soothsayers, which helps Pompeii successfully rebuild after the quake.

"17 years" before "The Fires of Pompeii" (DW2) (AD 79); this earthquake is a real event in our world.

AD 64

June: The Rescue (DW1) 2: Near a villa several miles north of Rome, the TARDIS, containing the 1st Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki, materializes and falls off a cliff.

Leads straight into the following story.

June/July: The Romans (DW1) 1-4: After spending a month relaxing at the villa near Rome, Barbara and Ian are captured by slave traders. The 1st Doctor and Vicki get caught up in affairs in the court of Nero, the Doctor eventually inspiring Nero to burn Rome. All four manage to escape their predicaments and reunite back at the villa.

While many of these events are considered apocryphal in our own reality, the year and month are confirmed by the Doctor.

c. AD 75

A Roman fort is built in the area that will become Gelligaer, Wales. At some point, a soldier from the fort will be pulled ahead through time to 2008, when the Cardiff Rift causes time to splinter in that year.

"End of Days" (TW).

AD 79

August 23-24: The Fires of Pompeii (DW2): The 10th Doctor and Donna visit the city of Pompeii a day before Mount Vesuvius is due to erupt. They encounter the Pyroviles, who intend to spread themselves across the Earth and take possession of all humankind. To prevent this, the Doctor is forced to cause the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, killing everyone in Pompeii. Donna convinces the devestated Doctor that he can, at least, save one family from the destruction.

The Doctor gives the (historically accurate) date.

The time around the destruction of Pompeii is a favourite period and location of Captain Jack Harkness' to pull a swindle.

Jack's "interest" is established in "The Doctor Dances" (DW2).

AD 80

February: The Fires of Pompeii (DW2): In Rome, the family saved from Pompeii by the 10th Doctor and Donna are fitting in well in their new lives: father Caecilius' business is thriving, daughter Evelina has developed a social life, and son Quintus is training to become a physician. The Doctor and Donna are now considered the family's household gods.

"Six months" after the bulk of "The Fires of Pompeii" (DW2) (August, AD 79).

AD 102

An alliance made up of many of the Doctor's enemies, including Daleks, Cybermen, Autons, Judoon and Sontarans, lays a trap for the Doctor after discovering that the TARDIS exploding in 2010 will cause the cracks in space-time that will eventually cause the universe to have never come into existence. Baiting the trap by using elements taken from Amy Pond's psychic impressions and items at her home in 2010, the alliance creates "the Pandorica" (based on Pandora's Box), a mythical prison that holds the most dangerous being in the universe. The Pandorica is placed under Stonehenge and guarded by a Cyberman, who is apparently destroyed by the local Celts.

Also in the vicinity, a group of Autons are programmed to pose as (and believe that they truly are) a legion of Roman soldiers. One of these "Romans" is a very confused duplicate of Amy's fiancé Rory Williams, imbued with Rory's consciousness, previously lost after he was wiped from history by one of the time cracks.

As a final lure, the alliance broadcasts a signal, through Stonehenge itself, across time and space, that the Pandorica is opening.

Some time before "The Pandorica Opens" (DW2) and "The Big Bang" (DW2). These events may have taken quite some time earlier, possibly years.

River Song arrives in this time, via vortex manipulator, to wait for the Doctor, having left him a message on Planet One. Encountering the false Romans, she uses her hallucinogenic lipstick to convince them that she is Cleopatra.

Shortly before "The Pandorica Opens" (DW2).

The Pandorica Opens (DW2)/The Big Bang (DW2): The 11th Doctor and Amy rendezvous with River Song near Stonehenge and, with the help of the "Romans", investigate the Pandorica. The Doctor sends River to move the TARDIS closer to their location, but the ship is pulled forward through time to 2010. As the Rory duplicate tries to make Amy remember him, River sends a message back to the Doctor; the Pandorica and the Romans are fakes based on items in Amy's home.

As Amy finally remembers Rory, his Auton programming activates and he shoots Amy, killing her. The alliance springs their trap, placing the Doctor inside the Pandorica, believing that he is the true danger to the universe. With the Doctor trapped, the TARDIS explodes in 2010, wiping out every moment in space and time, except for an altered timeline for Earth, which will also inevitably collapse. The alliance members near the Pandorica are turned into stone, now merely "echoes" of real history.

Rory, now in control of himself, is stunned when a Doctor from the future visits him and gives Rory his sonic screwdriver. The screwdriver allows him to release the present Doctor, who then places Amy in the Pandorica, which will keep her just barely alive until an external source of her DNA can be found. Although this will take nearly 2000 years, Rory vows to watch over the Pandorica and Amy until the time comes. The Doctor uses River's vortex manipulator to jump over the intervening time.

The date of "102 AD" is given.

AD 118

In the altered timeline caused by the TARDIS exploding in 2010, the Pandorica is taken from England, back to Rome, under armed guard.

"The Big Bang" (DW2).

AD 243

In Constantinople, the Doctor confronts the ancient evil known as Fenric, carving chess pieces out of bones taken from the desert sand and setting up a chess problem. When Fenric fails, it weakens the entity enough for the Doctor to trap his essence in a flask, banishing Fenric to the Shadow Dimensions. However, Fenric is still able to influence some events and beings across time and space and begins to plot his escape and revenge against the Doctor.

"Seventeen centuries" before "The Curse of Fenric" (DW1) (1943).

c. AD 292

The Roman Cult of Demnos is believed to die off around this time, although it will continue on in secret until at least the late 15th century.

"The Masque of Mandragora" (DW1). The Doctor says the Cult was supposed to have died out in "the 3rd Century."

AD 420

In the altered timeline caused by the TARDIS exploding in 2010, the Pandorica is captured in a raid by the Franks.

"The Big Bang" (DW2).

AD 476

A Zygon spaceship crashes in Loch Ness, Scotland. With them is the half-animal, half-machine Skarasen, a huge creature which over the years will be taken for a "monster" inhabiting the Loch.

"Terror of the Zygons" (DW1). Date is conjecture. Broton simply says that the Zygons arrived "centuries ago". The earliest known mention of a monster in or around Loch Ness dates back to 565, so they came to Earth before that.

AD 565

St. Columba encounters the Skarasen in Loch Ness, Scotland, in what becomes the first of centuries of sightings of the "Loch Ness Monster".

In "Terror of the Zygons" (DW1), Broton says that there have been sightings of the Monster since "the Middle Ages". This is the first known sighting on record, although it predates the Middle Age by a few centuries.

AD 664

On the planet Marinus, the Voord and their leader Yartek overcome the Conscience of Marinus and begin to commit numerous crimes. To prevent the Voord from taking control of the Conscience, four of its micro-circuits, called "Keys", are hidden around the planet.

"The Keys of Marinus" (DW1). "Seven centuries" after the creation of the Conscience (36 BC).

AD 731

Monarch returns to his home world of Urbanka and leaves for Earth for what will be the last time.

"Four to Doomsday" (DW1). The final trip back takes 1250 years, taking us up to 1981.

c. AD 768

The Unicorn and the Wasp (DW2): The 10th Doctor visits the Ardennes forests of Belgium and saves Charlemagne from an insane computer.

Exact placement for this (extremely short) flashback is conjecture. Charlemagne lived from AD 747 to AD 814 and was King of the Franks from AD 768 until his death.

c. AD 793

The Doctor, in an incarnation after his 7th, is the wizard Merlin in an alternate universe where reality is closer to Arthurian myth. At the end of a series of conflicts, King Arthur's nemesis, Morgaine Le Fey is finally victorious; Arthur is killed. The Doctor puts Arthur's body and his sword Excalibur in a spaceship which he places at the bottom of Lake Vortigern in his home universe. Morgaine apparently seals the Doctor in the Ice Caves and becomes "Dominator of the Thirteen Worlds".

In "Battlefield" (DW1), these events are simply described as happening in the 8th century.

c. AD 843

The Ancient One is brought to Transylvania from half a million years in the future through a timestorm created by Fenric. He is then compelled by the evil entity to follow the flask containing Fenric's essence wherever it might be taken.

The Doctor speaks of the Ancient One being dropped in "9th century Transylvania" in the Special Edition of "The Curse of Fenric" (DW1).

AD 942

The Doctor attends the court of King Athelstan of England, witnessing Athelstan's coronation as he becomes ruler of Mercia, as well as Welsh King Hywel's presenting the English King with the  gift of the Cup of Athelstan.

"Planet of the Dead" (DW2).

c. AD 943

Vikings steal the flask containing Fenric's essence. Coming to fear the flask's evil influence, the Vikings buy the flask beneath St. Jude's Chuch in their colony in Northumbria, leaving a runic inscription warning that the flask is cursed. The Ancient One, as Fenric compelled him to, follows the flask to its new resting place and lies in wait in the nearby Maiden's Bay.

The runes describing these events are "a thousand years old" by the time of "The Curse of Fenric" (DW1) (1943).

AD 981

On the planet Traken, a new Keeper is chosen to control the Source, the bioelectric energy used to keep the peace across the Traken Union. This Keeper will summon the 4th Doctor and Adric for assistance in 1981.

"A thousand years" before "The Keeper of Traken" (DW1) (1981).

Around this time, the planet Urbanka finally becomes completely uninhabitable, sucked dry by Monarch's need for resources.

"A thousand years" before "Four to Doomsday" (DW1) (1981).

1066

January 5-6: King Edward the Confessor of England dies. The following day, Harold Godwinson is crowned King Harold II of England.

Actual event mentioned in "The Time Meddler" (DW1).

"The Monk", a rogue Time Lord who wants to change Earth's history, sets up base in an abandoned monastery in Northumbria, and places an atomic cannon on a cliffside, intending to later destroy a Viking fleet.

"Several weeks" before "The Time Meddler" (DW1).

The Time Meddler (DW1) 1-4: The 1st Doctor, Vicki and Steven stop the Monk's plan to destroy a Viking fleet and thus change the outcome of the Battle of Hastings, altering all of Earth history. The Doctor sabotages the Monk's TARDIS, stranding him in the 11th century.

The date and many of the events of 1066 are given throughout the story.

The Monk is somehow eventually able to leave this time in his TARDIS.

As revealed in "The Daleks' Master Plan" (DW1).

September 25: At the Battle of Stamford Bride, King Harold II and his forces defeat an army of Viking invaders led by Harald Hardrada, King of Norway.

Actual event mentioned in "The Time Meddler" (DW1).

October 14: King Harold II is defeated and killed by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. This proves to be a decisive victory in the Norman conquest of England and William will be crowned King of England on Christmas Day.

Actual events discussed in "The Time Meddler" (DW1).

The history of England from this point onwards is recorded in certain Dalek databases, and transfered into infostamps used by the Cybus Cybermen in 1851.

"The Next Doctor" (DW2).

1076

A monastery is built on the site of what will become Forgill castle in Scotland.

"Terror of the Zygons" (DW1). The monastery is said to have been built in the 11th century.

1120

In the altered timeline caused by the TARDIS exploding in 2010, the Pandorica is a prized possession of the Knights Templar at this time.

"The Big Bang" (DW2).

1178

Around this time, the Convent of the Little Sisters of St. Gudula is founded.

In "The Stones of Blood" (DW1), the convent is said to have been founded in the 12th century.

1179

One end of the Borad's Timelash, originating in the future on the planet Karfel, is in this time zone, around the Loch Ness area of Scotland. The Borad is banished to this time by the 6th Doctor and may, at times, be mistaken for the Loch Ness Monster.

"Timelash" (DW1). It is unlikely that the Board lasts for very long in the Loch, given the Skarasen from "The Terror of the Zygons" (DW1) already there.

1190

The Time Warrior (DW1) 1-4: Linx, a Sontaran, crashes on the planet Earth, shot down by a squadron of Rutan fighters while on a reconnaissance mission. Finding the technology of the time too primitive to make repairs to his ship, Linx abducts several scientists and their equipment from 1975. While working on these repairs, Linx also jeopardizes Earth history by giving his temporary ally, the brigand Irongron, advanced weaponry. The 3rd Doctor and Sarah follow the scientists to this time and return them to the 20th century. Linx, his weapons and Irongron's castle are destroyed when Linx's ship explodes during a premature take-off.

This adventure would seem to happen some time during the Third Crusade (1189-1192); mentions are made of "Saracens" and the King having taken most able bodied men to fight in his "interminable wars". Exact placement within this period is conjectural. (In "The Sontaran Experiment" (DW1), Sarah says his happens in "the 13th century". But, given that in "Pyramids of Mars" (DW1), Sarah thinks she comes from 1980 despite the fact that she doesn't, dates are clearly not her strong point. Ahem.)

1191

The Emir El Akir comes to reside in Lydda and begins imposing his will on the area. The Emir desires Maimuna, the elder daughter of local man Haroun ed-Din. Ed-Din refuses El Akir. While ed-Din is away with his younger daughter Safiya, the Emir has the man's wife and son killed, his house destroyed, and Maimuna adbucted. Ed-Din vows revenge against El Akir.

A year before "The Crusade" (DW1) (1192).

1192

The Crusade (DW1) 1-4: During the Third Crusade, the 1st Doctor and Vicki get involved in court intrigue at King Richard I's palace in Jaffa, while Ian rescues Barbara from the evil Emir El Akir.

This story appears to take place during the closing months of the Third Crusade.

During the final days of the Third Crusade, King Richard I realizes that, should he capture Jerusalem, he would be unable to keep the city. This leads to a treaty between Richard and Muslim leader Saladin by which Jerusalem remains under Muslim control, but which also allows unarmed Christian pilgrims to visit the city.

The outcome of the Third Crusade, mentioned by the Doctor in "The Crusade" (DW1).

A man from this period is accidentally pulled ahead through time to 1975 as a side-effect of Operation: Golden Age.

"Invasion of the Dinosaurs" (DW1). Exact date is conjecture. The man says that King Richard is away at the Crusades.

1207

The 11th Doctor sets himself up near a monastery in Cumbria, to ponder the mystery of Clara Oswald.

Some time, possibly months, before "The Bells of Saint John" (DW2).

The Bells of Saint John (DW2): The 11th is surprised when the telephone on the front of the TARDIS rings. He is even more surprised when he realizes that the caller is Clara Oswald, who is looking for someone to fix her Wi-Fi in 2013.

Date is given in an on-screen caption.

The 11th Doctor traces Clara's call to 2013 and leaves to see her.

Almost immediately after "The Bells of Saint John" (DW2), given the Doctor's state of dress in 2013.

1214

September: Most of Sir Ranulf Fitzwilliam's treasury is given willingly to King John to help support his wars with the French.

Six months before "The King's Demons" (DW1) (March 1215).

The man that Ping-Cho will be betrothed to in 1289 is born.

The elderly man, who we never see, is 75 years old when he dies during the events of "Marco Polo" (DW1) (1289).

1215

Sir Ranulf Fitzwilliam's cousin, Sir Geoffrey de Lacey, is summoned to London in order to take the Crusader's Oath with King John on March 4.

A week before "The King's Demons" (DW1).

March 3-5: The King's Demons (DW1) 1-2: The Master attempts to change Earth history by sabotaging the signing of the Magna Carta. He has Kamelion, a shape-changing robot under his power, assume the role of King John and behave erratically and discredit the King. The 5th Doctor, Tegan and Turlough arrive and are able to expose the impostor, taking Kamelion with them when they leave.

The Doctor says that they have landed on "March 4th, 1215".

June 15: In Runnymead, England, King John puts his seal on the Magna Carta (willingly according to the Doctor), outlining the rights of landowners and restricting the king's power.

Known history described by the Doctor in "The King's Demons" (DW1).

1216

October: Retreating from a French invasion, King John takes a safer route around the marshy estuary area called the Wash to avoid a rebel held area while his baggage train takes a direct route across the area. The baggage train (including the Crown Jewels) is lost to the unexpected incoming tide.

Actual events mentioned by the Doctor and Tegan in "The King's Demons" (DW1).

1231

In the altered timeline caused by the TARDIS exploding in 2010, the Pandorica is donated to the Vatican.

"The Big Bang" (DW2).

1256

December 15: The Mongol warlord Hulagu Khan captures and destroys the Hashashin stronghold in Alamut, effectively eliminating the last of that faction of Ismaili Shia Muslims.

An event described in much more flowery language in "Marco Polo" (DW1).

1252

September 15: The future explorer Marco Polo is born in Venice, Italy.

"Marco Polo" (DW1). Polo was really born in 1254 but this dating comes from Polo himself so this is one I'm using, along with the correct month and day. Interestingly, all the other dates given in the summing up of Polo's life are correct (save for any mentions of age).

1260

Kublai Khan takes his place as leader of the Mongol empire and moves the empire's capital from Karakorum to Peking.

According to Ping-Cho in "Marco Polo" (DW1) (although in reality Peking is an anachronism; the Khan built his new palace in Shangsdu).

1271

Marco Polo, his father, Niccolò, and his uncle, Maffeo, begin a journey to Cathay, taking with them gifts for Kublai Khan from Pope Gregory X.

"Marco Polo" (DW1) and true history.

1273

Ping-cho is born in Samarkand.

Ping-cho is "in [her] 16th year" at the time of "Marco Polo" (DW1) (1289).

1274

After more than three years of travel, Marco Polo, his uncle and his father arrive at the court of Kublai Khan.

Real history and "Marco Polo" (DW1).

1276

From this time onwards, the Forgill family faithfully serves the country of Scotland.

The Forgills have served Scotland for "7 centuries" by "The Terror of the Zygons" (DW1) (1976).

1277

On his 25th birthday, Marco Polo is given an official appointment in Kublai Khan's service.

Real event mentioned in "Marco Polo" (DW1).

1283

A meteorite from the Jeggorabax Cluster lands in the Weserbergland Mountains in Lower Saxony. A shape-changing energy being within the meteorite begins to feed off the the local inhabitants' fear of the plague and grow stronger.

"The Day of the Clown" (SJA).

1284

In the German town of Hamelin, the fear-eating entity from the Jeggorabax Cluster agree to help the town get rid of its rat population. When the town refuses to pay, it takes the town's children instead and the being feasts on the town's fear. The events form the basis for the legend of the Pied Piper.

"The Day of the Clown" (SJA).

1287

Marco Polo and his father and uncle ask Kublai Khan for permission to return home; the Khan refuses.

"Marco Polo" (DW1).

1289

Lord Noghai's army is defeated by the forces of the Mongol empire's leader Kublai Khan, ending a war between them. Noghai sues for peace and send the warlord Tegana as an emmisary; Tegana joins a caravan run by Marco Polo on its way to see the Khan.

Inside the Spaceship (DW1) 2: The 1st Doctor, Susan, Barbara and Ian, arrive in the Himalayas on Earth.

Leads straight into "Marco Polo" (DW1).

Marco Polo (DW1) 1-7: The 1st Doctor, Susan, Ian and Barbara encounter Marco Polo. Seeing an opportunity to end his servitude to Kublai Khan, Polo seizes the TARDIS as a gift to the Khan. The time-travellers join Polo's caravan on its long trip to see the Khan in Peking, thwarting several plans by the warlord Tegana to obtain the TARDIS for his own Lord, Noghai. They also foil Tegana's assassination attempt on Kublai Khan and Polo, realizing he acted improperly, returns the TARDIS to the travellers.

Polo gives the date as "1289".

1295

After many years in the service of Kublai Khan, Marco Polo finally returns home to his native Venice, Italy.

Real history alluded to by Barbara in "Marco Polo" (DW1) ("You do see Venice again.")

1336

The 9th Doctor, Rose and Jack visit Kyoto, Japan. Shortly after their arrival, they and the TARDIS are pulled forward through time by an extremely powerful transmat beam to the Game Station in the year 200 100.

"Bad Wolf" (DW2).

c. 1350

In Nuremberg, Germany, an armouror named Rudolph develops a method of wire-drawing which makes use of waterpowered machinery, highly improving the process.

In "The Masque of Mandragora" (DW1) (1492), the Doctor says that it must be "at least 150 years since wire-drawing machines were invented". Wire-drawing has actually been around centuries before that, but the Doctor may be referring to this key development in the technology, which took place around the middle of the 14th century.

A "demon" falls from the sky near a monastery in Medieval London. A man, known only as "the Sainted Physician", in a blue box arrives and "smites" the demon. This event will be commemorated in a stained glass window of the monastery.

"The End of Time" (DW2). The event is only described as taking place "back in the 1300s".

1415

October 25: King Henry V of England and his army defeats the army of French King Charles VI at the Battle of Agincourt.

The Battle is first mentioned in the series in "The Masque of Mandragora" (DW1), when the Doctor and Sarah briefly discuss this historical event

c. 1430

The Aztec high priest Yetaxa dies and is laid to rest in a tomb designed by the father of the future Aztec warrior Ixta.

According to Barbara's estimate in "The Aztecs" (DW1).

1434

Netherlander painter Jan van Eyck paints his Arnolfini Portrait. At one point, the Doctor uses a copy of it as decoration for his TARDIS' ancillary power station.

As seen in "The Invasion of Time" (DW1).

c. 1450

The Aztecs (DW1) 1-4: In Aztec Mexico, the 1st Doctor, Susan, Barbara and Ian are separated from the TARDIS. Barbara, posing as the reincarnation of the dead high priest Yetaxa, unsuccessfully tries to put an end to the Aztecs' practice of human sacrifice. The travellers manage to reach their ship, barely escaping Tlotoxl, the high priest of sacrifice, and his minions.

Approximately one generation after Yetaxa's death in 1430.

1452

April 15: Leonardo Da Vinci is born in the small Tuscan town of Vinci, in the region of Florence, Italy.

Real event. Da Vinci's birth year is mentioned in "City of Death" (DW1).

1455

This year marks the beginning of a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England referred to as the Wars of the Roses. Much of Chase Mansion will be built during this period.

"The Seeds of Doom" (DW1).

1462

On the planet Skaro, a "neutronic war" between the Daleks and the Thals comes to an end. A "neutron bomb" irradiates much of the planet, and a group of Daleks move into a huge metal city; the Thals forsake their warrior ways and take up new lives as farmers.

"More than 500 years" before "The Daleks" (DW1) (1963).

1470

Italian artist Paolo Uccello paints his Saint George and the Dragon. At one point, the Doctor uses a copy of it as decoration for his TARDIS' ancillary power station.

As seen in "The Invasion of Time" (DW1).

1479

In the village of St. James, the future site of Cardiff, Wales, a young girl named Faith dies. A priest from St. Mary's church revives the girl using a Resurrection Gauntlet. This also allows an entity appearing as "Death" to manifest in our reality. This entity causes 12 deaths and a 13th will allow it to permanently manifest. Fortunately, having already died, Faith is able to fight off "Death" before its final kill, banishing the creature.

"Dead Man Walking" (TW).

1480

The meddling Monk discusses the possibility of powered flight with Leonardo Da Vinci.

"The Time Meddler" (DW1). Exact date is conjecture; Leonardo is believed to have made the first real studies into flight in the 1480s.

1482

The 11th Doctor once claimed that this is a difficult year to time-travel to, calling it "full of glitches".

"The Impossible Astronaut" (DW2).

1487

For the re-consecration of Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs perform thousands of sacrifices over the course of four days. Later estimates range between 10 000 and 80 400 persons, with the lower number being the most likely.

It appears Barbara exaggerates this real event when she tells Autloc that "10 000 will die in one day" in "The Aztecs" (DW1).

1492

In the Dukedom of San Martino, Italy, court astrologer Hieronymous predicts the Duke's imminent death. The Duke's brother, Count Federico, helps this prediction along by poisoning the Duke.

Shortly before "The Masque of Mandragora" (DW1).

June: The Masque of Mandragora (DW1) 1-4: Energy from the Mandragora Helix takes control of the TARDIS, steering it, along with the 4th Doctor and Sarah, to San Martino, Italy. The energy manipulates the Cult of Demnos in an attempt to plunge the world into a new, superstitious Dark Age, allowing Mandragora to control the Earth. The Doctor manages to drain some of the Helix energy and "short-circuit" it, although it is due to return to its full power towards the end of the 20th century.

The Doctor and Sarah are assisted by Prince Giuliano, a forward-thinking, scientific-minded young man, and son of the murdered Duke of San Martino. Giuliano is able to take his rightful place as the new Duke, when his evil uncle, Count Federico, is killed by the Mandragora energy.

The year is only given in the novelization (although the summer solstice is mentioned in the program), and is used by most chronologies. The date does fit in with the Doctor's estimate of the "late 15th century" and Leonardo da Vinci's time in the service of the Duke of Milan, from 1482 to 1499.

1503

Leonardo da Vinci finishes his most famous painting, La Gioconda, later popularly know as the Mona Lisa.

According to the Doctor in "City of Death" (DW1). In our world, the painting was only started in 1503 and not finished until many years later. However, Tancredi does not correct the Doctor and the piece is clearly finished in the episode, so presumably this date is accurate in the "Doctor Who" universe.

1505

Captain Tancredi, a splinter of Jagaroth, takes Leonardo da Vinci prisoner and forces him to start painting numerous copies of the Mona Lisa.

Some time before "City of Death" (DW1).

City of Death (DW1) 2-3: The 4th Doctor visits Florence, Italy in an attempt to track down a number of seemingly authentic copies of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa in existence in 1979. While there, he meets Captain Tancredi, one of the splinters of Scaroth, who is forcing Leonardo to paint more than one Mona Lisa, so that a future splinter of Scaroth can make a fortune selling them all. The Doctor sabotages the scheme by writing "This is a fake" in felt tip pen on Leonardo's canvases and escapes the clutches of Tancredi, returning to the 20th century.

Tancredi himself gives the year as "1505".

After Leonardo da Vinci is finished making six extra copies of the Mona Lisa, he is released by Captain Tancredi. The Captain then proceeds to have the paintings bricked up behind the wall of a chateau in Paris, France, where another one of his splinters will recover then in 474 years' time.

After "City of Death" (DW1).

1508

Italian artist Michelangelo begins the job of painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a task which will take him the next four years. The Doctor visits the artist at some point during the process, considering him to be a "whinger", who should not have taken the job if he was afraid of heights.

"Vincent and the Doctor" (DW2). The job of painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling took place 1508-1512.

1519

March 4: Hernando Cortéz arrives in Mexico and begins the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Susan and Barbara discuss this event in "The Aztecs" (DW1). They incorrectly describe Cortéz' landing as occurring in 1520; however, much of his campaign against the Aztecs took place in that year, so the confusion is understandable.

May 2: Leonardo da Vinci dies at the age of 67 at the Château de Cloux, near Amboise, France.

The year of Leonardo's death is confirmed in "City of Death" (DW1).

1521

Hernando Cortéz assumes control of Mexico after the destruction of the Aztec state.

Barbara repeatedly warns the Aztecs of their fate in "The Aztecs" (DW1).

1536

May 30: The Power of Three (DW2): Amy seemingly accidentally marries King Henry VIII. The 11th Doctor, Amy and Rory unsuccessfully try to hide from an angry Henry, but presumably escape later.

Date is conjecture. This would seem to take place during one of Henry VIII's six actual weddings. This date, chosen completely arbitrarily, is for Henry's third time at the altar (with Jane Seymour).

Hundreds of monastaries, abbeys and other religious houses, including the Convent of the Little Sisters of St. Gudula, are dissolved by order of Henry VIII, and their property confiscated.

Actual event. The Convent's fate during this is alluded to in "The Stones of Blood" (DW1).

1537

The Lady Jane Grey, future "Nine-Day Queen" of England, is born.

Jane confirms that she is 16 years old in "Lost in Time" (SJA) (1553).

1540

Something from space falls to Earth in Scotland near a monastery in St. Catherine's Glen. An alien being, what the Doctor calls "a lupine wavelength haemovariform", barely survives the crash, possibly leaving as little as a single living cell. The monks from St. Catherine's begin to nurture the being, allowing it to pass from through a number of hosts, all children abducted from the area once every generation. The haemovariform grows stronger with each subsequent host. As the monks begin to worship the alien being instead of God, a legend begins to spead in the area about a frightening werewolf creature that feeds on the local livestock at every full moon.

"Tooth and Claw" (DW2).

1553

May 21: Despite stating her preference for a single life, the Lady Jane Grey complies with her mother's wishes and marries Lord Guilford Dudley.

Historical event mentioned in "Lost in Time" (SJA).

July 6: King Edward VI of England dies without an heir. Although many assume his sister Mary would be the one to take the throne, Edward's wishes state that his cousin, Jane Grey, is to be made Queen.

Historical event mentioned in "Lost in Time" (SJA).

July 10: As Edward VI wished, Lady Jane Grey is made Queen of England, although she has never had any desire to wear the crown.

Historical events discussed in "Lost in Time" (SJA).

An elderly lady-in -aiting is requested for Queen Jane. The Countess of Arandor is apparently chosen.

Some time before "Lost in Time" (SJA).

July 19: Lost in Time (SJA) 1-2: Rani Chandra arrives in the Tower of London from 2010, on a mission to find a piece of "chronosteel", a metal that could change the course of history. Rani finds herself posing as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Jane Grey, with whom she becomes fast friends. Unfortunately, this is the last day of Jane's nine-day rule as Queen, as Mary, the late King Edward's sister, and her army, arrive to depose Jane, and charge her with high treason. Rani saves Jane from being prematurely assassinated by Lady Mathilda, another of Jane's ladies-in-waiting, who hopes to make Jane a martyr for the Protestants of England, inspiring them to rise up again Mary.

Rani realises that the dagger Mathilda intented to use is the chronosteel she seeks, and returns to her time with it, but not before promising Jane that she will not be forgotten by history.

The (historically accurate) date is given in dialogue by Rani.

Mary and her army take control of the Tower of London, and Jane is arrested for high treason.

Shortly after "Lost in Time" (SJA).

November 13: Lady Jane Grey (and her husband Lord Dudley) are put on trial and officially found guilty of high treason.

A potential trial for Jane is mentioned in "Lost in Time" (SJA). This is when the trial really took place.

1554

February 12: Lady Jane Grey is privately executed by beheading in the Tower of London.

The certainty of Jane being executed is discussed in "Lost in Time" (SJA). This is the execution true historical date.

1559

January 15: The Doctor is present at Queen Elizabeth I's coronation.

The Doctor claims to have been present at this historical event in "The Curse of Peladon" (DW1).

1562

March 1: In France, the Duke of Guise stops in the town of Vassy and finds a congregation of Huguenots holding religious ceremonies. Outraged, he orders his men to fortify the town and set fire to the church. More than thirty Huguenots are killed and hundreds more are wounded. Anne Chaplet and her father are present during the massacre and Anne's father is one of those killed.

This historical event is referred to frequently throughout "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve" (DW1), which also establishes Anne's presence.

The 10th Doctor discovers the presence of a Zygon force on Earth. Investigating, he comes to the conclusion that Queen Elizabeth I is an undercover Zygon.

Not long before "The Day of the Doctor" (DW2).

The Day of the Doctor (DW2): The 10th Doctor romances Queen Elizabeth I in order to expose her as a Zygon spy, going as far as proposing marriage. However, he has been romancing the real Elizabeth, who enthusiastically accepts. Then the leader of the Zygon force appears, now impersonating the Queen.

The 11th Doctor and the War Doctor appear in this time through Time Windows, due to the machinations of the Moment, a powerful weapon that the War Doctor is considering the use during the Time War on Gallifrey. The three Doctors are thrown in the Tower of London by the apparent Zygon/Queen. After the Doctors discuss their feelings about the Time War, they are rescued by Clara and the Queen, who has actually killed and replaced the Zygon leader. Together, they discover that the remaining Zygons have placed themselves in stasis cubes, appearing as paintings, planning to re-emerge when the Earth is more suitable for conquest.

The Doctors and Clara travel to the 21st century to stop the Zygons, but not before the 10th Doctor is forced to carry through with his proposal to Elizabeth and marry her. As the time-travellers leave, the 10th Doctor promises the Queen that he will return shortly.

Year first given in a caption and later stated in dialogue.

The 10th Doctor does not return to Elizabeth. As a result, over time, she will begin to view him as her "sworn enemy".

Elizabeth's anger at the Doctor is seen in "The Shakespeare Code" (DW2).

1570

The Abaraxas Security Software company is founded.

In "A Town Called Mercy" (DW2) (1870), a recorded message claims that Abaraxs has been "incinerating intruders for three centuries".

1572

Boscombe Hall is built on the site of the former Convent of the Little Sisters of St. Gudula.

"The Stones of Blood" (DW1).

August 18: The Protestant Henry III of Navarre and the Catholic Marguerite of Valois (sister of King Charles IX of France) are married. While some consider the wedding an effort to bring religious peace to France, Catholic leaders, including Catherine de' Medici, Marguerite's mother, are secretly planning a massacre of Protestants gathered in Paris for the wedding.

The day before "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve" (DW1).

August 19-24: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve (DW1) 1-4: In Paris, France, the 1st Doctor and Steven are caught up in the political and religious intrigue leading up to the massacre of the city's Huguenot population. They encounter the Abbot of Amboise, the Doctor's double, and Anne Chaplet, a young servant girl who may be Dodo Chaplet's ancestor.

Anne accurately confirms the day before the Massacre as being August 23, 1572.

The Massacre rages through Paris for several days, until it spreads to other cities and the French countryside, lasting for several months. At least 10 000 Protestants are killed.

As confirmed by the Doctor in "The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve" (DW1).

1573

Caliburn House is built around this time.

In "Hide" (DW2) (1974), the House is said to be "over 400 years old".

1580

The Vampires of Venice (DW2): The 11th Doctor brings Amy and Rory to Venice in an attempt to rekindle their relationship. While there, they encounter some disguised Saturnynians, displaced from their own time and place. Only the males of the species have survived, with the exception of their female leader, who has taken the identity of Rosanna Calvierri and set up a "school" for young women. These women are transformed into Saturnynians as mates for the surviving males, living in the waters of Venice. Calvierri's plan is to ultimately sink Venice as a new home for her people, a scheme foiled by the time-travellers.

The date is given in a caption and several times in dialogue.

Amy's Choice (DW2): While leaving Venice, the 11th Doctor, Amy and Rory fall unconscious in the TARDIS. While out, they encounter the "Dream Lord", a mysterious being who challenges the travellers to discern which of two scenarios is real. In the first, Rory and a heavliy-pregnant Amy are visited by the Doctor in the village of Upper Leadworth, which they discover is inhabited by several alien Eknodine, who go on a rampage. In the other scenario, they travellers are still in the TARDIS as it hurtles towards a "cold sun", threatening to freeze them to death.

When Rory is apparently killed in the Leadworth scenario, Amy rejects that reality, considering it not worth living in without him. As a result, the Doctor and his companions reawaken in the freezing TARDIS. However, the Doctor realizes that both scenarios are false, and they truly reawaken in the ship. The travellers were rendered unconscious by specks of psychic pollen which had fallen into the TARDIS and heated up. The "Dream Lord" was a manifestation of Doctor's subconscious, created as the spores fed off his darker side.

Placement is conjectural. I'm assuming that this took place right after the Doctor and company left Venice in "The Vampires of Venice" (DW2), and that, although clearly in outer space (but not in the vortex), had not left this time yet. A big assumption, I know.

1587

The west wing of Chase Mansion is completed under the supervision of Sir Bosewell Chase. Not long after, Chase is executed. Following his death, Sir Bosewell's ghost is said to haunt the Mansion.

"The Seeds of Doom" (DW1).

1592

Sir Walter Raleigh is imprisoned in the Tower of London when Queen Elizabeth I discovers that he has married one of her ladies-in-waiting without her consent. The Doctor shares his cell and will later complain that Raleigh "kept going on about some new vegetable he'd discovered".

"The Mind of Evil" (DW1).

1596

August: William Shakespeare's son Hamnet, aged only 11, dies from the Black Plague. Grief-stricken, Shakespeare begins to work through his pain by writing; three Carrionites, banished from this reality, are able to use those writings to return to this universe.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2), based on the real Hamnet's death.

1597

The Chase (DW1) 1: Shakespeare meets with Queen Elizabeth I regarding his plays. The writer also gets extra inspiration for his play Hamlet from Francis Bacon. The events are witnessed by the 1st Doctor, Barbara, Ian and Vicki through a Space-Time Visualiser.

Queen Elizabeth refers to a certain amount of fuss involving the appearance of the character of Falstaff. This is probably a reference to his first appearance in Henry IV, Part I, which the Bard finished writing in this year.

1598

William Shakespeare's play Love's Labour's Lost is first published.

The play is seen performed in "The Shakespeare Code" (DW2).

Carpenter Peter Streete is hired to design and build the Globe theatre in London, which will become a venue for the plays of William Shakespeare. He is coerced by a trio of Carrionites into designing the theatre with 14 sides (making it a massive energy convertor), as part of their plot to release the rest of their kind. Construction of the theatre begins on December 28.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2), based on real events.

1599

Peter Streete, suffering from his encounter with the Carrionites, seemingly goes mad, raving about witches and voices only he can hear. Streete is placed in the mental institution Bethlem Royal Hospital (also called Bedlam).

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). A month after the Globe is finished.

William Shakespeare writes his historical play Henry V, which features the phrase "Once more unto the breach". When the Doctor uses this phrase in front of Shakespeare later in the year, he contemplates acquiring the phrase before realising that it is already one of his.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). Dating based on historical records.

The Shakespeare Code (DW2): The 10th Doctor and Martha attend a show at the Globe theatre and meet William Shakespeare. Together, they discover a trio of Carrionites, powerful witch-like creatures from the dawn of time who use words to shape reality. The hags are using the words of the Bard's new play, Love's Labour's Won, to free others of their kind from their banishment to another dimension. Shakespeare helps the Doctor and Martha to foil the Carrionite plot. The text of the play is lost forever.

In the aftermath of the events, Queen Elizabeth I, furious at the Doctor (in his own future) not returning to her after their wedding in 1562, appears and order her guards to grab her "sworn enemy". The Doctor and Martha make their escape in the TARDIS.

The date is given in a caption and is confirmed by the Doctor. The reason for Elizabeth's fury is revealed in "The Day of the Doctor" (DW2).

William Shakespeare writes the comedy As You Like It, using the phrase "all the world's a stage" after hearing the Doctor use it eariler in the year.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). Dating based on historical records.

1601

William Shakespeare finishes writing what will become generally recognized as his greatest work, Hamlet. Although the play was partly inspired by an encounter with Francis Bacon in 1597, Shakespeare has his deceased son, Hamnet, foremost in his mind as the writes the play. Phrases in the play include "the play's the thing", which the author first head when he met the Doctor in 1599 and "to be or not to be", which the Bard came up with on his own during the same encounter (although at the time he considered it "too pretentious"). The Doctor, in an earlier incarnation than Shakespeare first encountered him, transcribes the first draft of the play for him, although the Doctor objects to the phrase "to take arms against a sea of troubles" as a mixed metaphor.

Shakespeare is generally believed to have written Hamlet between 1599 and 1601. In "The Shakespeare Code" (DW2), the Bard says he plans to write a play about "fathers and sons", inspired by the death of Hamnet. The two phrases given are also from "The Shakespeare Code". The Doctor's work on the manuscript is established in "City of Death" (DW1).

1602

William Shakespeare publishes the comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, possibly inspired by Queen Elizabeth I's suggestion that the Bard write about "Falstaff in love".

The Queen's suggestion is shown in "The Chase" (DW1). Dating comes from historical records.

1606

William Shakespeare writes his play Macbeth. The three witches who appear in the play are likely inspired by his encounter with three Carrionites in 1599.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). Exact placement is conjecture. Shakespearan scholars believe the play was written between 1603 and 1606, with many tending more towards 1605 and 1606.

Richard Maynarde is born.

According to his tomb in "Silver Nemesis" (DW1), Maynarde is 51 when he dies in 1657.

1608

Galileo Galilei constructs the first astronomical telescope.

In "The Masque of Mandragora" (DW1), the Doctor rather under-estimates when he says he could wait for only "50 years" to use Galileo's telescope.

1609

The first edition of William Shakespeare's collected sonnets is published. One of the most famous will be Sonnet 18, which begins "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" Shakespeare began composing this sonnet in 1599 for Martha Jones.

As seen in "The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). Although the writing dates for each of the sonnets is unknown, this was the first time they were collected.

1611

William Shakespeare completes his play The Tempest. One unseen character of the piece is the witch Sycorax. Shakespeare uses the name after, in 1599, hearing the Doctor mention the alien species he encountered in the 21st century.

"The Shakespeare Code" (DW2). Dating comes from historical records.

1618

The Thirty Years' War, a religious conflict involving most of the major European powers, begins. Some time between now and the War's end in 1648, a number of soldiers are adbucted by the War Lords to do combat in the War Games. The Time Lords return them to their proper time.

"The War Games" (DW1).

1621

The Lady Peinforte poisons her neighbour Dorothea Remington as revenge for Remington stealing Peinforte's cook.

"Silver Nemesis" (DW1).

1630

In Tibet, the Detsen monastery is attacked. The Doctor visits the monastery at some point during the attack, and befriends the master of the monastery, Padmasambhava, who entrusts the Doctor with the monks' ghanta, a bell-shaped holy relic.

"The Abominable Snowmen" (DW1).

1638

November 23: The Doctor and a group of Roundheads battle Lady Peinforte for possession of the statue Nemesis, which Peinforte has made in her own image from an amount of the living metal validium. The Doctor launches Nemesis (except for its bow and arrow) into an orbit which will bring it close to Earth every 25 years. The Doctor sets his watch to go off on November 23, 1988, when Nemesis will land on Earth again.

"Silver Nemesis" (DW1).

Silver Nemesis (DW1) 1,3: The Lady Peinforte uses a rudimentary knowledge of time-travel and "black magic" (with some secret assistance from Fenric) to send herself and her servant Richard Maynarde to 1988 in order to retrieve the statue Nemesis when it returns to Earth. The 7th Doctor and Ace visit a number of times shortly after to investigate.

Some time later, the Doctor and Ace return Richard Maynarde to his native time.

A caption gives the date as "1638"; the date is later confirmed by the Doctor. Fenric's involvement is revealed in "The Curse of Fenric" (DW1).

1642

The English Civil War breaks out. Some time over the conflict's six year length, many soldiers are taken from the battlefield by the War Lords to battle in the War Games. They are returned to their proper time by the Time Lords. A number of Roundheads are also pulled forward through time by the Master in order to attack a UNIT convey in the 20th century.

The War Lords' abduction of solider is revealed in "The War Games" (DW1). The Master's time manipulation is from "The Time Monster" (DW1).

1643

July 13: The English Civil War reaches the village of Little Hodcombe. When the fighting reaches the local church, the psychic energy created in the battle partly revives the Malus, an alien being housed in the church. When the fighting ends, the Malus returns to its dormant state. A villager named Will Chandler hides in a priest hole during the battle and is pulled forward in time to 1984, the next time the Malus revives. He is returned shortly after by the 5th Doctor.

"The Awakening" (DW1).

1650

The Impossible Astronaut (DW2): The 11th Doctor is caught posing nude for a painting with a woman named Matilda by an enraged King Charles II.

Date is conjecture. The man discovering the Doctor is only named "Charles" in the episode's credits (Matilda is also only named there). Presumably he is the King as it is "by the King's decree" that the Doctor is imprisoned. Only two English kings were named Charles and, to me anyway, the style of dress in the scene seems to better match the period of Charles II, who ruled from 1649-1951.

By the decree of King Charles II, the Doctor is imprisoned in the Tower of London without trial. Two nights later, he escapes from the Tower by hot air balloon.

After "The Impossible Astronaut" (DW2).

1657

November 2: Richard Maynarde dies at the age of 51.

The date is on Maynarde's tomb in "Silver Nemesis" (DW1).

1663

Erasmus Darkening, an alien stranded on Earth, enters the employ of Lord James Marchwood as a "magician", claiming the ability to create gold out of nothing. In reality, Darkening's experiments are an attempt to create a gateway between dimensions in order to return to his own planet.

Darkening has been in Marchwood's employ for "two years" by the time of "The Eternity Trap" (SJA) (1665).

1665

The Eternity Trap 1 (SJA): At Ashen Hill Manor, Erasmus Darkening continues his experiments to open a portal between dimensions in an effort to return to his homeworld, while Lord Marchwood believes that Darkening is attempting to create gold. One night, Marchwood's children, Elizabeth and Joseph spy on Darkening, but are caught by the "magician", who causes them to vanish. Lord Marchwood frantically searches the Manor for his children.

The year is given in an on-screen caption.

1666

August/September: The Visitation (DW1) 1-4: Caught in a meteor shower, a ship of escaped Terileptil convicts falls to Earth. Over the next few weeks, the stranded Terileptils put into motion a plan to wipe out humanity by unleashing a more viruent strain of the already widespread Black Plague, giving the convicts dominion over the Earth. The 5th Doctor, Adric, Nyssa and Tegan, with the help of highwayman/actor Richard Mace, are able to destroy the virus but, in the process, the Great Fire of London is started.

In the real world, the Great Fire of London began the night of September 2/3. The opening scenes of the story take place "a few weeks" before the rest of the story.

September 2-5: The Great Fire of London rages through the city, destroying 10 000 buildings, although human casualties are low. Somehow, an earlier incarnation of the Doctor is blamed for the Fire by some people.

The 4th Doctor briefly complains of being held responsible for the Great Fire in "Pyramids of Mars" (DW1). Little did he know.

1674

Around this time, a clergyman writes of his encounter with the "Witch of the Well" which haunts Caliburn House and how it is accompanied by a dreadful knocking, "as if the Devil himself demanded entry" to the House.

In "Hide" (DW2) (1984), this is simply said to happen "in the 17th century".

1677

John Wallace presents a paper on sympathetic vibration to the Royal Society.

"The Happiness Patrol" (DW1).

1680

The Time Lord criminal Salyavian retires to St Cedd's College in Cambridge after escaping from the Time Lord prison Shada. He will live in the same rooms (in reality, his disguised TARDIS) for at least the next 300 years.

"300 years" before "Shada" (DW1) (1980).

1683

Around this time, the Eternals kidnap the crew of a pirate ship for their 1983 race through the solar system.

"Enlightenment" (DW1). Exact date is conjecture; sometime in the 17th century.

1684

The Gore Crow Hotel is built in the village of Carbury.

The date is seen on the capstone of the hotel's fireplace in "Battlefield" (DW1).

c. 1690

The Smugglers (DW1) 1-4: The 1st Doctor, Polly and Ben land in Cornwall and almost immediately are giving a clue to a hidden treasure's whereabouts. They find themselves in peril when the encounter Captain Pike and his men, who seek the treasure. With the help of Revenue Officer Josiah Blake, the travellers are able to escape the pirates' clutches and the villains are routed.

Exact date is conjecture. A date of "the 17th century" is given several times, but nothing more specific is mentioned. This would likely be the late 17th century, both from the clothes and Captain Pike exclaiming "By Morgan's beard!", likely a reference to the privateer Sir Henry Morgan, who was active during the second half of the 1600s. Pike also threatens "I'll keelhaul ye from here to Port Royal!" to one of his men. If we take Pike at his word, this would place the story sometime before 1692, when much of the pirate haven of Port Royal, Jamaica, was destroyed in an earthquake.

1698

Winter: The wife of Captain Henry Avery and mother of Toby Avery dies from a fever.

Toby says this happened "last winter" in "The Curse of the Black Spot" (1699).

1699

The pirate ship Fancy, captained by Henry Avery, suddenly finds itself becalmed at sea. Soon afterwards, an etheral woman, believed by the pirates to be a Siren, appears and apparently disintegrates any crewman with even the slightest injury.

"Eight days" before "The Curse of the Black Spot" (DW2).

The Curse of the Black Spot (DW2): Answering a distress call, the 11th Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on board the Fancy. More crewmen are seemingly destroyed by the Siren, as are Rory, and Toby Avery, Captain Avery's sick stowaway son. The Doctor convinces those remaining to let the Siren touch them, which actually transports them to a spaceship (the source of the distress call) sitting in the same spot as the Fancy, but out of phase with the rest of the universe. The crew of the spaceship are long dead and the "Siren", really the ship's malfunctioning medical program has taken any injured and sick to its sickbay.

The medical program is able to keep Toby Avery alive while on the spaceship but is unable to cure his illness, meaning Toby must stay aboard or die. Captain Avery, along with his crew, elects to stay on board with his son and explore the universe.

The online "prequel" to this story, which may or may not be canon, gives a date of 1699. The Doctor does call the location "the 17th century".

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Or travel forward through time to 18th-19th Centuries.