Parliament Clocks
Parliament clocks - also known as "Act of Parliament Clocks" - are unique to Britain and came about as the result of a misguided, short-lived tax. Many Parliament Clocks were Tavern Clocks.
What is a Parliament Clock?
Parliament Clocks were public service wall clocks erected by various institutions - notably taverns - following the 1797 introduction of a British clock tax.The tax covered all timepieces, including watches and clocks. The annual tax rate was two shillings and sixpence (half a crown) for a basic watch up to ten shillings for a gold watch. Clocks costing more than 20 shillings (one pound) were rated at five shillings. Some groups were exempt such as hospitals, the Royal Family and, of course, Parliament itself.
The result was that people simply stopped buying new clocks and watches. Clockmakers and their suppliers rapidly went out of business.
As a response to this, many public buildings and institutions put up their own large clocks on display to the public. Canny operators would put the Parliament Clock inside their premises. This was especially common in taverns. So, whilst you were checking the time for free you could down a quick pint.
Tavern Clocks
Of course, public clocks and tavern clocks had been around before and are still around today. Not all tavern clocks are Parliament clocks and vice versa, although the terms are often used interchangably. Strictly speaking the term "Parliament clock" applies to those produced during the period of the clock tax. As you might expect from a clock designed to be hung in a tavern, they were often large and solidly built.The tax was, predictably, extremely unpopular. It was repealed after less than a year.