Gunter Endres grew up in Germany, where he studied to become a Roman Catholic priest. Although this quest remained unfulfilled, his interest in religion was undiminished and he started taking a great interest in English monasticism and its relationship to the most powerful nobles of the land, after he reached these shores some fifty-five years ago. Trained as a structural engineer, he later also became fascinated by aircraft and air transport and has written some twenty books on aviation, while also contributing to numerous magazines. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.