The King's Demons was a novelisation based on the 1983 television serial The King's Demons. At 153 pages, this adaptation of a two-episode story is ten pages longer than the novelisation of The War Games, which adapted a ten-episode story.
Publisher's summary
It is 4 March, 1215, and the TARDIS materialises in England during a jousting match held in the presence of King John.
But it soon becomes apparent to the Fifth Doctor that something is very seriously wrong. Why does John express no fear or surprise at the time-travellers' sudden appearance, and indeed welcomes them as the King's Demons?
And what is the true identity of Sir Giles, the King's Champion?
Very soon the Doctor finds himself involved in a fiendish plot to alter the course of world history by one of his oldest and deadliest enemies.
Chapter titles
- The Challenge
- The Demons
- The King Takes a Hostage
- The Iron Maiden
- Command Performance
- An Old Enemy
- Doctor Captures King's Knight
- 'Find These Demons!'
- Kamelion
- A Battle of Wills
Deviations from televised story
- In the televised story, Sir Geoffory is killed by the assassin employed by the Master dying back in the castle. In the novelisation, Sir Geoffory is mortally wounded and his injuries are treated to by the Doctor, allowing him to part company with Ranulf and Isabella on good terms.
- The Doctor expresses his admiration for the Master several times in the novelisation.
- The Master does not shape-shift in front of everyone, unlike the televised story.
Writing and publishing notes
- to be added
Additional cover images
to be added
British publication history
First publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook
This Target Book was released 5 May 2016 complete and unabridged by BBC Physical Audio and read by Mark Strickson.
