I have been a student of ancient and medieval history.
My personal interest is the late antique and early medieval era. Roman Britan, the wandering Celtic Saints, the Anglo-Saxon Invasions, the Vikings, etc.
As you probably know, Tolkien was partly responsible for helping the light bulb go off in CS Lewis regarding the importance of myth. He told Lewis that all myths find relevance and meaning in the One Great Myth, which the narrative of the Gospel. And, Tolkien said, the Gospel is the one myth that happens to be historically true.
Have you read "On Fairy Stories"? It's an essay be Tolkien. It's freakin' brilliant.
