Tara (planet)
Tara was a planet that resembled medieval Earth. It had lush green fields, attractive landscapes and medieval-type forests.
Culture and technology
Tara was a planet colonised by humans who chose to pattern their culture on late medieval customs, with a rigid monarchical hierarchy, complete with King's, Princesses, and Princes.
The Taran nobility took pride in their scientific and mechanical ignorance, leaving such matters to the 'peasants'. Their primary ranged weapon was a crossbow that fired electric bolts; this was considered a peasant's weapon.
Swordsmen were apprenticed under Sword Masters using electro-swords, thin swords that carried an electrical charge.
The Tarans were known as master android-makers, although the work was only carried out by the lesser orders. (TV: The Androids of Tara)
Fauna
The Museum of the Last Ones had specimens of extinct species from Tara. (PROSE: The Last Dodo)
The fauna of Tara was supposed to be friendly, but the Taran wood beast would attack when frightened. (TV: The Androids of Tara)
History
In the 22nd century, about 200 years before the arrival of the Fourth Doctor and Romana I, a great plague wiped out nine-tenths of Tara's population. During this time of strife, the peasants were largely abandoned by the ruling class and manufactured large numbers of androids to cope with the labour shortage. The city of Tara built plague tunnels to move the nobility in and out of the contaminated city. (TV: The Androids of Tara)
In the 24th century, the Doctor and Romana arrived searching for the fourth segment of the Key to Time, and assisted Prince Reynart in defeating Grendel of Gracht and freeing Princess Strella. (TV: The Androids of Tara)
By the 30th century, the ideas of nobility were under threat from the Liberal Reconstructionists. (PROSE: So Vile a Sin)
