What a way to kick off our autumn programme of author events with such a a wonderful start, blessed  with a full house for an enthralling conversation between historian Dr Ian Mortimer and Catherine Courtenay, editor of Devon Life magazine. We were proud that The Bookery was the first bookshop to host Ian following the launch of his new book, Through the Windows of an Ordinary House: A History of England, the previous evening.

Set in Mearsdon, Ian’s home in Moretonhampstead the book is the product of more than five years of meticulous research and offers a remarkable journey through over 1,000 years of local and national history. As Ian explained, the house itself is only the dish through which a much larger meal is told. His fascination lies in how people lived in the past and in reminding us that today’s way of life is just one of many ways people have found meaning, resilience and even creating joy and happiness throughout some of the darkest periods of history.

Throughout the evening, Ian’s extraordinary depth of knowledge, passion for his subject and effortless command of historical detail captivated the audience. Brilliantly guided by Catherine, he introduced us to a cast of fascinating and often colourful characters whose lives shaped Mearsdon and the wider community. From Adam the Morton, accused of murder before being exonerated by the King, to resilient Dartmoor farmers, ambitious wool merchants and remarkable local figures whose lives reached far beyond Devon, each story revealed another window into England’s past.

Particularly memorable were Ian’s accounts of people whose lives connected this quiet Devon village to much wider historical events, including emigration to America, the War of Independence, transportation to Australia, and the astonishing achievements of engineer George Parker Bidder, born in Morteonhampstead whom Ian described as one of Devon’s most influential sons. The audience was also fascinated to learn that traces of human activity at the Mearsdon site may stretch back as far as the Bronze Age, adding yet another layer to this extraordinary story.

Encouraged by Catherine and despite not having his reading glasses, one of the highlights of the evening came when Ian read passages from the book. Hearing the author bring these richly researched stories to life in his own voice added another dimension to our experience, drawing lour audience  even deeper into the lives of the people who once looked out through the windows of this seemingly ordinary house.

The evening concluded with audience questions and a lively book signing, leaving many inspired by the idea that the history of a single house can illuminate the story of an entire nation. The Bookery was delighted to welcome so many people for such a memorable start to the season.

Signed copies of Through the Windows of an Ordinary House: A History of England are available HERE