Who were Lack and Wagstaff?
In both the novel and the film, the photographer working at Sutton Hoo is Rory Lomax (Johnny Flynn), a cousin of Edith Pretty. Rory Lomax is a fictional character; the real key photographers of the excavation were Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff. Lack and Wagstaff, both teachers, were close friends and serious amateur photographers. They had a keen interest in archaeology and were on holiday in the area at the time. Between the 8 and 25 August they captured 400 images (including some very early colour images) and an 8mm cine film. Their original images were generously given to the National Trust by Mercie Lack’s great nephew, Andrew Lack. Recently, these images have been carefully conserved and digitised. Follow the link to discover more.