Beginning To Understand The Beta Timeline

On p. 375 of Poul Anderson's The Shield Of Time (New York, 1991), Manse Everard refers to Sherlock Holmes. His hearer, a Dane born in 1864 but also a member of the Time Patrol, understands the reference, which could be to a fictional character. You might ask, "Surely it is?" Not in the Time Patrol universe. However, whenever Everard sees or refers to the real Holmes, he avoids using the name. And, when he does use the name, as here, it could be a reference to the fictional character known to us.

Everard is referring to the detective work that will be necessary to trace the origins of the beta timeline. To Time Patrolmen, the emergence of a divergent timeline is like a temporal storm and sure enough, while they talk:

"Outside, wind whooped and a dash of rain blew from wolf-gray heaven." (p. 376)

The pathetic fallacy yet again. The beta timeline has no Pope Gregory IX (see image). Why not? That is too complicated to unravel at this time of night.

According to the Danish Patrolman, thirteenth century medieval society lost its earlier freedom, tolerance and social mobility. Heretics burned. Jews and rebellious peasants were massacred, expelled or ghettoized. The Patrol protects this history.