His response is perhaps typically 'academic', though making several points that are fair enough. But I'm not at all sure that it's fair to describe Angus's reaction as 'bullish' - justifiably indignant, yes, bullish, no. And let's not forget that it was the BM who caused the stooshie in the first place.
Personally, I'm quite happy to accept that the pieces originated in Norway, but they are universally recognised as The Lewis Chessmen' and were irrefutably found in Lewis. I'm perhaps somewhat less impressed by the 'I know more than you do' use of the term 'knowlegeable minds', however.
But this wasn't so much a question of a deliberate snub by the BM - more a case of blind academic pomposity failing to understand public perceptions. Actually, for me, the whole issue is just plain daft (as, of course, is the concept of keeping them - though to describe that as 'very irresponsible' is, frankly, boring, and as half-baked as the letters of years ago suggesting the Gauls might steal them), but the BM have brought the whole issue upon themselves, even though, in doing so, they have helped to highlight the forthcoming tour of the Chessmen with some extra free publicity. No bad thing that, then.
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