The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Knighton Rates
A Royal decree granted the villagers of Knighton in Staffordshire tax free living for life - all for a £1,000 loan to the Crown.
From the collection of:
Overview
Thanks to a loan by local haberdasher William Adams to Charles II in the seventeenth century the villagers of Knighton in Staffordshire have been free of rates payments ever since. Peter Green meets villagers who are not surprisingly in favour of this historical quirk.
The royal decree of 1660 that exempted the villagers of Knighton from paying any rates has been gradually eroded over the years to the point where only agricultural workers qualify for the benefit.
Related
Watch for free
Leicester Guild of the Crippled: Some Events of 1930 Leicester Guild of the Crippled: Some Events of 1930
Amateur film 1930 14 mins Silent Location: Welby Grange
Caring for disabled people 1930s style: The Leicester Guild of the Crippled take to the road with spinal carriages and bath chairs.
Watch for free
Closure of Knighton Village Post Office Closure of Knighton Village Post Office
News 1972 3 mins Location: Knighton
A very modern problem experienced in 1972 by the people of Knighton: what happens when the Post Office closes down?
Watch for free
The Story of a Great Day: 3rd June 1944 The Story of a Great Day: 3rd June 1944
Home movie 1944 15 mins Silent Location: Knighton
As the world changes, Harry and Eithne celebrate their wedding at Knighton in Leicester.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.