English, born in Shillong, Assam, shortly after Independence. Educated in England: Welford on Avon Primary School, Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls, Bedford College, University of London (First Class BA Honours in English Language and Literature, 1966), and Queen Mary College, University of London (MA with Distinction in Early English, 1972, and PhD on Beowulf and the Finnsburgh Fragment, 1974). Worked in teaching (University College, Cork), student counselling (the British Council), theatre management (Royal Shakespeare Theatre), university administation (Aston University), as press and education officer for the National Trust in Cornwall, and finally as manager of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Medical Committee and the South West Regional Association of LMCs, before taking early retirement in 2006. From 1983 to 1990 served with 67(The Queen's Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) first as a Radio Operator and later as a Troop Officer, and with Birmingham University Officer Training Corps as I/C Recruits from 1989-90.