Philippa Langley's Quest for King Richard III Was Silenced by University Leicester
Over 15 years ago, Philippa Langley embarked on a mission that was deemed impossible: finding the remains of King Richard III. Despite being an amateur with no letters after her name, she diligently did her research and stayed committed to her conviction. Her determination led to a groundbreaking discovery, but when the news broke, there was little to no mention of her.
The 2012 Channel 4 documentary 'The King in the Car Park' showcased Langley's unusual yet dedicated quest. Upon meeting her, I realized that my initial perception was far from accurate. The more Jeff Pope and I researched the saga, the more we came to appreciate Langley's unwavering integrity.
Our collaboration resulted in a screenplay for a film about Langley's journey, titled 'The Lost King'. We aimed to give voice to this unsung hero whose story had been overshadowed by other voices. The movie portrays Richard Buckley as a champion of Langley but also reveals his flaws and limitations.
However, when the film was released, Richard Taylor, the former deputy registrar at University Leicester, expressed discontent with how the project portrayed him. He claimed that he needed to create a firewall between himself and Langley due to her determination. This raises concerns about the relationship between Langley and University Leicester.
One cannot deny the irony that an amateur found the remains of a 500-year-old king on their doorstep. The phrase "amateur" often carries a negative connotation, but in this case, it seems like a convenient excuse for University Leicester's lack of recognition.
It is time for an inquiry to examine the behavior of Richard Taylor and University Leicester during that tumultuous period. I would be more than happy to engage in a public debate with Taylor to shed light on the events surrounding 'The Lost King'.
Ultimately, our intention was to celebrate Langley's achievement and give her the recognition she deserved. The Lost King is now available for all to see, and it is up to viewers to draw their own conclusions about this extraordinary story.
As I reflect on the saga, I am reminded of a David vs Goliath fight where Philippa Langley was indeed the underdog, but the University of Leicester and Richard Taylor played the role of the powerful giants.
Over 15 years ago, Philippa Langley embarked on a mission that was deemed impossible: finding the remains of King Richard III. Despite being an amateur with no letters after her name, she diligently did her research and stayed committed to her conviction. Her determination led to a groundbreaking discovery, but when the news broke, there was little to no mention of her.
The 2012 Channel 4 documentary 'The King in the Car Park' showcased Langley's unusual yet dedicated quest. Upon meeting her, I realized that my initial perception was far from accurate. The more Jeff Pope and I researched the saga, the more we came to appreciate Langley's unwavering integrity.
Our collaboration resulted in a screenplay for a film about Langley's journey, titled 'The Lost King'. We aimed to give voice to this unsung hero whose story had been overshadowed by other voices. The movie portrays Richard Buckley as a champion of Langley but also reveals his flaws and limitations.
However, when the film was released, Richard Taylor, the former deputy registrar at University Leicester, expressed discontent with how the project portrayed him. He claimed that he needed to create a firewall between himself and Langley due to her determination. This raises concerns about the relationship between Langley and University Leicester.
One cannot deny the irony that an amateur found the remains of a 500-year-old king on their doorstep. The phrase "amateur" often carries a negative connotation, but in this case, it seems like a convenient excuse for University Leicester's lack of recognition.
It is time for an inquiry to examine the behavior of Richard Taylor and University Leicester during that tumultuous period. I would be more than happy to engage in a public debate with Taylor to shed light on the events surrounding 'The Lost King'.
Ultimately, our intention was to celebrate Langley's achievement and give her the recognition she deserved. The Lost King is now available for all to see, and it is up to viewers to draw their own conclusions about this extraordinary story.
As I reflect on the saga, I am reminded of a David vs Goliath fight where Philippa Langley was indeed the underdog, but the University of Leicester and Richard Taylor played the role of the powerful giants.