The Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith are returning to 20th century England in the TARDIS, but a misstep has them materialising centuries earlier. They leave the TARDIS to explore but soon have to hide from a hunting party of rampaging Danes led by Ulric. Unable to penetrate the TARDIS with an axe, Ulric concludes it is a magic box bestowed upon them by the Norse god Woden. They bring the TARDIS back to the Danish ships on the coast, but their leader and Ulric's father Heekon is displeased that they have returned with a box instead of meat. Heekon orders the TARDIS be set on fire, but when it does not burn, he too is convinced it is a divine gift.