 He has been an editor for "The Journal of Medieval History" and written many articles on the Templars, the Cathars, various elements of the Crusades, and the reign of Philip IV of France.Born in 1943, Barber attended Walpole Grammar School in Ealing from 1954–1961, followed by the University of Nottingham from 1961–1966, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1964.He attended the British School at Rome from 1965–1966, and received his PhD in 1968 from the University of Nottingham.