Born in Ashford in Kent (UK) in 1945, Mick's grandmother loved history, which clearly rubbed off on him. From a very early age he was fascinated by native Americans, watching many Wild West films, and always finding himself siding with the natives.

Native American history therefore became an early passion of his. History at school became a favourite subject along with geography. He was very much an arts student as opposed to a sciences student. Having loved his school experience, he soon found himself again in front of a blackboard.

He didn't immediately go into teaching. First he experimented with other occupations - such as office work with a couple of firms - before trying his hand at the religious life. For just over a year he became a member of the Dominican noviciate. When it became apparent that the life of a monk was not quite what he wanted, he went into teaching. There his time with the Dominicans became an asset because part of his remit was teaching religious studies within the arts side of the curriculum.

He also covered geography, art, and some history, as well as drama and games. He handled production and directing when it came to school plays and the running of two or three football (soccer) teams, as well as handling many other extra-curricular activities.

This was at an independent school in which general duties were wider than those of state school equivalents. And so began a twenty-five year career in teaching, until his brilliant and much-loved school closed.

A brief spell followed at another independent school before ultimate retirement. From 1997 and for the following fifteen years or so he became heavily involved in historical re-enactment in two very different periods, portraying a Napoleonic artilleryman in one group (L'Artillerie Légère) and a Viking leader/Saxon monk in the other (Vikings of Middle England).

There was also a brief flirtation with a Spartan group and the occasional foray into the eighteenth century (Redcoats & Revolutionaries). It was all great fun. In parallel with the re-enactments he also ran an amateur dramatic company called The Tÿrsby Players, the pinnacle of which was the production of The Trial of Richard III which was largely self-penned and was highly acclaimed.

It can be seen that history has played a significant role in his life. In the early 2000s he began contributing to the History Files, writing on a variety of topics which initially covered the Anglo-Saxon and medieval British Isles. His major area of study, though, was a return to his boyhood love for the Native Americans (see the special Native North America index for more).

Text © Mick Baker and the History Files. An original feature for the History Files. Go back or return home.

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