An article in The Times on January 4 criticised one crucially important aspect of the way in which the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle are being run. Some historians are given favoured treatment; others are denied access. Alistair Lexden backed the call for change in a letter published in The Times on January 5.
Sir, Jack Malvern’s article (“Saucy royal quip they tried to censor”, Jan.4) will strike a chord with many historians. Favoured authors likely to deal indulgently with royal reputations can expect to be treated with great kindness by the archivists at Windsor. For the rest of us it is often a different story. Years ago I was refused access to Queen Victoria’s journal in the course of research on the first Home Rule crisis of 1886. I am not inclined to be sweet-natured in assessing reputations.
Are these archives purely private property to be inspected on terms that their owners decree? They should surely be regarded in the same way as the royal palaces or pictures, things of vital national significance held in trust for the country as a whole. The public has access to them on terms that are the same for everyone. We must have clear, objective criteria for access to the Royal Archives without any attempt to censor publication of material that illuminates history. I shall be pressing in the Lords for the introduction of clear protocols to achieve just that.
Lord Lexden
House of Lords