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WELLINGTON AT WALMER

The room in which the Duke of Wellington died in 1852 has been re-created by English Heritage as part of a major re-presentation of Walmer Castle in Kent. A pair of original Wellington boots and the Duke's death mask are among the objects in a new exhibition, opening on Friday 5 June, looking at the life and 'celebrity' status of the victor of Waterloo.

The Duke stayed at Walmer Castle every autumn in his role as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a post he held from 1829 until his death at the age of 83 in 1852.  After the Duke died his body lay-in-state at the castle for two months, whilst preparations for his state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral were taking place. 'Now it will be seen how a nation can mourn,' wrote one commentator and his funeral was the largest ever known, with over 1.5 million people lining the route.

Now for the first time since 1934 and to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington's bedroom at Walmer where he breathed his last has been re-presented. Drawing on a watercolour of the room made shortly after the Duke's death by Thomas Shotter Boys, English Heritage curators have re-created the original carpet and wallpaper. On 14 September 1852, the Duke's valet found him unable to stir from his small campaign bed, Wellington was moved to his armchair and made comfortable but he died that afternoon. Both the bed and armchair are on display and the room retains its spartan appearance from the Duke's days there.

In adjacent rooms, new displays will explore Wellington's career, the story of his death, the state funeral and the 'celebrity' status he attained during and after his life.

English Heritage Senior Curator Rowena Willard-Wright said: 'In 1852, the eyes of the world fell upon Walmer Castle as one of the most important figures of that century died within a small and modest room there. We've now carefully re-created that room and our new exhibition explores Wellington's life and legend. We will also reveal many of Walmer's other intriguing stories including its role during the First World War when the castle played host to Winston Churchill and the poet Rupert Brooke.'

Click here for full press release

 

Channel website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

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