Educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School Bridgend (Glamorgan) and Jesus College Oxford where he read Modern History and completed a doctorate on English court politics during the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). He taught at Keele University and Sherborne School where he became Head of Department. He has lectured widely and has over thirty academic publications on thirteenth century England, including a biography of Henry III for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Since retirement, his publications include ‘Dorset in the period of Baronial Reform and Rebellion 1258-1267’ and the Sherborne Abbey Guidebook.