W. A. Ayton

Helen Maria Hallett Carr, born in 1988, is a contemporary writer and historian specializing in Medieval England. She holds an undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of York and a Research Master's in Medieval History from the University of Reading. Carr is currently pursuing a PhD at Queen Mary University London, under the guidance of Professor Miri Rubin.

Her career spans various media, including presenting and producing history documentaries for channels like HistoryHit TV, BBC4, BBC2, SkyArts, Discovery, CNN, and for Cambridge University. She has also contributed to BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time and written for publications such as BBC History magazine, History Extra, New Statesman, The TLS, The Spectator, and History Today. Carr also hosted the podcast Hidden Histories from 2019 to 2021 and covered significant royal events for news outlets.

As an author, Carr published her first book, "The Red Prince: John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster," in 2021, which became a bestseller and was recognized as a notable book of the year. She also co-authored and edited "What Is History, Now?" a follow-up to her great-grandfather E. H. Carr's influential work. Her upcoming book, "This England," is slated for publication in 2024. Carr was elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society in July 2022.

“Helen Carr is one of the most exciting and talented young historians out there. She has a passion for medieval history which is infectious and is always energetic and engaging, whether on the printed page or the screen.”