In 2020, priceless Templar artefacts were discovered in a dilapidated Scottish church, together with stone disinterred from a former Templar-built convent.

After three years, and a forensic dismantlement of existing misunderstanding—product of Victorian ill-considered supposition allowed to form the record, unchallenged, what was presented, founded on incontestable evidence (www.hiddenheritage.info) were two of the world’s oldest provenanced Christian church bells and their 12th century sponsor, William le Riche, Templar Master. A mystery solved, new knowledge found, completing missing history and adding further illumination of the medieval era.

Despite the discovery being brought to the attention of relevant historical authorities and specialist academics, there has been a demonstrable lack of prudent response, replaced instead with conspicuous apathy and artifice contained within academic bias and prejudice, directed against the authors, rather than proper consideration of the erudite evidence underpinning the discovery.

It is a familiar story worldwide—blatant professional academic discrimination against those it deems ‘amateur’ historians, not necessarily in relation to their lack of tenure within an institution, but more in denigration of their worth, dismissing any merit in their research, regardless of its completeness. Excellence of thought, understanding and analysis is not the exclusive domain of the professional academic, and it is abhorrent that those who hold tenure within academic institutions chose to exercise paternalistic control over the existing historical record, regardless of its flaw, and dismiss any accomplishment and new discovery outside their faction; rejecting rather than mentoring those who dedicate their skills to the recovery of lost history.

This has led to campaign, (www.hiddenheritage.info) to have the bells and site of the former Templar house recognised for what the evidence presents, rather than ill-formed record, so both the site and bells may be preserved for the benefit of heritage and historical knowledge.

The world’s historical sites and their material artefact are crucial in the preservation of cultural heritage, providing commercial benefit and education. Therefore, we urge you to sign this petition calling on academia to apply due diligence to the huge historical significance of the discovery and consider it without bias in the cause of protecting our shared heritage. Your signature will make a difference.