A history enthusiast has unearthed paintings described as 'of national significance' while renovating his kitchen in York. Dr Luke Budworth, 29, found ancient friezes dating back to the 1660s hidden beneath cupboards and plasterboard in his home on Micklegate.
The medical researcher at Leeds University revealed that kitchen fitters first uncovered a section of the painting under a cupboard. Further investigation revealed more pieces boarded up below the ceiling on both sides of the chimney. The friezes feature scenes from a 1635 book, 'Emblems', by poet Francis Quarles.
Dr Budworth said: 'I got really excited, grabbed my tools and started ripping it off. At first I thought it was old Victorian wallpaper, but soon I could see it was actually drawn onto the wall of the building next door – so it's older than this building itself.' He added that it was 'bonkers' to think the paintings predate events like the Great Fire of London.
Historic England has helped cover the friezes to preserve them. A spokesman said: 'We think they are of national significance and in the context of York, where domestic wall paintings are quite rare, they are of special interest.' Dr Budworth now hopes to secure funding for conservation and urged other Micklegate residents to 'start looking at their own walls suspiciously'.
