Hollywood Comes to Maidstone's Doorstep, as New Film Revives the Peasants' Revolt

A new Hollywood drama is about to put Maidstone's medieval history back in the spotlight - and this time, you won't have to travel to London or the Tower to see where it happened. The Uprising, which tells the story of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, has strong and direct links to the town, according to Maidstone Borough Council, which is encouraging residents to look past the big screen and discover the real places involved.

The Peasants' Revolt saw ordinary people rise up against crushing taxes and inequality in medieval England, and it didn't start in some distant corner of the country - rebels gathered in Maidstone and Canterbury before marching on London under rebel leader Wat Tyler. The revolt was eventually put down, but it rattled the ruling classes badly enough to help pave the way for greater freedoms in the years that followed.

This isn't ancient history locked away in a museum case, either - it's baked into the town's streets. Wat Tyler Way is named after the rebellion's own leader, who had connections to Maidstone, while the Archbishop's Palace and the site of All Saints Church were standing at the time of the uprising and are still there to visit. The Archbishop's Palace, in particular, has a direct role in the story: it's where rebel preacher John Ball was held prisoner before his release.

The Uprising is directed by Paul Greengrass and follows a ploughman, played by Andrew Garfield, alongside rebel leaders Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis) and John Ball (Jamie Bell) as they lead the march on London demanding justice from King Richard II. Tickets for the film at Maidstone's ODEON Luxe are on sale now.

Councillor Stephen Thompson, the council's Cabinet Member for Healthier, Stronger Communities, said: "This film offers an opportunity for local people to connect with a remarkable chapter in our national history. It is not often Hollywood tells such a story that unfolded on our doorstep. Our Archbishop's Palace was the site of John Ball's imprisonment, from which he was then released." He added: "Our brilliant, free-to-enter Maidstone Museum boasts an impressive range of collections that bring the past to life. I hope The Uprising sparks a newfound interest in our local history, and I would encourage people to plan a visit." Maidstone Museum, which is free to enter, cares for a miniature portrait of Wat Tyler himself, alongside its Lives in Our Landscape and Oldham galleries exploring the area's history. Source: Maidstone Borough Council