How To Academy Podcast Ian Mortimer - The Time Traveller's Guide to England
Nov 4, 2025
Ian Mortimer, a renowned historian and author of the Time Traveller's Guide to England series, dives into the fascinating minutiae of English life throughout the centuries. He discusses how people's experiences have shifted yet retained core traits, from discussions on the worst monarchs to the surprising history of champagne's origins. Mortimer also tackles topics like class dynamics, the importance of sanitation, and even the impact of early vernacular Bibles on literacy. His insights offer a refreshing view of England's past, blending humor with serious historical analysis.
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Childhood Shaped A Lifelong Obsession
- Ian Mortimer grew up obsessed with English history and insisted his parents take him to National Trust houses and castles.
- His family business and the Mortimer name made the past feel present and personal to him from an early age.
Medieval Complexity Overrules Stereotypes
- Seeing the past up close reveals complexity beyond stereotypes like "nasty, brutish and short."
- Medieval accomplishments such as cathedrals show sophistication and cultural horizons, not just backwardness.
A Guidebook Approach To History
- The Time Traveller format asks readers to imagine living in another era to better understand both past and present.
- Mortimer uses practical questions — where to stay, what to eat, which diseases might kill you — to bring history alive.
