WALLPAPER featuring Napoleonic scenes of war is going on show at York’s Castle Museum to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

A new display also features military items including a seven-barrelled nock gun, flintlock rifles, pikes, swords and horseman’s armour, and the military jacket of a North Yorkshire man who guarded Napoleon on his death bed.

Matthew Grimes, of Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, fought at Waterloo and in 1819, as part of the 84th Regiment, he was sent to the island of St Helena to guard the captured Napoleon.

The intricate wood-blocked Napoleonic wallpaper from the 19th Century, which was rediscovered in 2013, has been conserved and has gone on public display for the first time in more than 40 years. A series of half term events will accompany the exhibition.

Alison Bodley, senior curator of history, said: “The rediscovery of the Napoleonic wallpaper and the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo has given us a fantastic opportunity to delve into our collections.

“The wallpaper will return to public display for the first time in half a century, and the recent conservation work has revealed hidden details. ”