The Freedom of the City of London

of attack (a sort of mediaeval territorial army). Other commonly -held beliefs include the right to be hanged by a silken rope, be married in St. Paul’s Cathedral, be buried within the City, to be drunk and disorderly in the City without fear of arrest. lf any of these ever did exist they certainly no longer apply and the only privileges relating to the Freedom now are purely of an educational and charitable nature. Freedom fees are given entirely to the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead, Surrey to support orphans of Freemen and there is a City of London Almshouse in Brixton, south-west London.

THE FREEDOM of the City of London, despite so few privileges, continues to attract men and women fom every walk of life who choose to identify with pride with that great community of people, the Citizens of The Freedom London. It may be something to be proud of but not something to proclaim, for to use the Freedom for trade, advertising, status or gain is strictly frowned upon. A of the Chamberlain’s Court, I 9th century number of people are sentimentally attached to the City of London and many find pleasure and a certain appeal in being able to participate in the continuance of a City of have served an apprenticeship to a Freeman or liveryman). centuries-old custom. The Declaration of a Freeman London THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL is the legislative body in Freedom matters and, when the law or custom of I do solemnly declare that I will be good and true to our the City relating to the freedom is to be altered it is by an Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second; that I will Act of Common Council. It is the Common Council that be obedient to the Mayor of this City; that I will maintain approves nominated redemptioners for the Freedom. The the franchises and customs thereof, and will keep this City ASK MOST PEOPLE what they know about the Freedom Court of Aldermen is concerned with Freedom of the City harmless, in that which in me is: that I will also keep the of the City of London and they will perhaps reply, ‘Is it Queen’s peace in my own person; that I will know no relative to livery company matters and approves livery something to do with driving sheep over London Bridge?’ gatherings nor conspiracies made against the Queen’s for, as with other long-cherished traditions and customs, company redemptioners. peace, but I will warn the Mayor thereof, or hinder it to the freedom is wrapped in myth, fable and half-truths and my power; and that all these points and articles I will well it would appear that the one thing everyone believes they DESPITE THE LACK of any historical written evidence, and truly keep, according to the laws and customs of this know about the subject may not be so. the picturesque legends concerning the Freedom of the City, to my power. City seem to be deeply engraved on the collective mem- THE FREEDOM of the City of London is a very ancient Non British and Brirish Commonwealth Citizens have ory, so perhaps there is an element of truth in them. So tradition indeed and although most people, Londoners the option to substitute “our Sovereign Lady” with “’Her what about the sheep and London Bridge? It was said that and non-Londoners alike, are aware of it, few understand Majesty”. its origins or present-day significance. It is not an award, the 12th century stone London Bridge (the previous ones reward or honour (although some recipients may consider had been wooden) was ‘built on the backs of sheep’ ie paid The Freedom of the City is explained in greater detail in themselves honoured in a personal way) unless conferred for by a tax on wool. As exemption from bridge, road and Sheep over London Bridge , The Freedom of The City of as the rarely-granted Honorary Freedom. market tolls was a privilege of earlier freemen, perhaps London by Caroline Arnold, available from The Cham- the claim might be ‘the Freeman’s right to drive flocks berlain’s Court. Guildhall EC2P 2EJ. ANY NATIONAL worldwide, of good character and across the bridge without payment.’ The right to set up a above the age of twenty-one years, may apply to the City Telephone: 020 7332 1008/ 1369/ 3055. of London, Guildhall, for the Freedom upon the payment market stall in the City without permission may also of a fee. relate to this exemption. The right to go about the City with a drawn sword may be a folk memory of the duty of CH 6702 Freemen to be always ready to defend the City in case THE CITY OF LONDON is the local authority for the City reward or signal honour. Presentations of the Honorary a major source of income for the City, which is why, of London, the most ancient part of the metropolis which is Freedom are usually made in Guildhall’s Great Hall before historically, the Freedom is administered by the City’s chief Greater London, with Guildhall as its ‘town hall’. The City the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councilmen and finance officer. In return, Freemen had certain valuable operates on a non-party political basis through its Lord distinguished guests, with full ceremonial splendour as trading rights and privileges not available to non-Freemen, Mayor, Aldermen and members of the Court of Common befits the event. usually followed by a Mansion House for example, exemption from market and bridge tolls and Council. It serves an exceptional community of banquet. The roll of past Honorary Freemen includes (very importantly) only Freemen were permitted to vote or international financial and commercial organisations, Nelson, Wellington, Disraeli, General Booth, Florence have a say in the governance of the City. 300,000 commuters and some 7.900 residents. In common Nightingale, Kitchener, Baden-Powell, Winston Churchill, with other local authorities the City is concerned with town Nehru, Montgomery of Alamein, Margaret Thatcher, Nelson WITH THE EXPANDING POPULATION from 1800 planning, housing, highways, cleansing. parks and gardens, Mandela and many members of the Royal Family. onward, control of trade by traditional methods became health, markets. education, the arts and so on. From a unworkable and, following reforming legislation in the private fund (City’s Cash) it maintains many public THE ORIGINS OF THE FREEDOM elate back to 19th century, all City trade and franchise restrictions were amenities including four of the Thames bridges, dispenses mediaeval times when craftsmen and women eventually abolished and the ancient rights and privileges hospitality to royalty, visiting dignitaries and heads of state throughout Europe organised themselves into trade guilds ceased to be relevant. However, the City of London retained and has a thousand-year legacy of history and tradition which protected customers, employers and employees alike the obligatory admission to the Freedom of the City for which includes the Freedom of the City. by checking standards of work, quality of goods, weights liverymen, reducing the fees to make it less of a penalty and, and measures, imposing severe penalties on those who since 1835, encouraged non-liverymen with an interest in FREEDOM CEREMONIES take place daily in the broke the rules. They trained the young and looked after the City to apply as well. Chamberlain’s Court, Guildhall, conducted by the members in age and infirmity. In the City of London these Chamberlain of London (Finance Director) or the Clerk of guilds, many of which still exist, became known as livery DESPITE THIS OPENING UP of the Freedom, interest in the Court on the Chamberlain’s behalf. Freemen are companies. They are not merely picturesque leftovers of the Freedom and the livery companies declined steadily required to read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and history but living institutions, promoting and supporting until the end of the 19th century. Interest revived in the sign the Declaration Book, whereupon a document of their relevant trades (or modem equivalent) and devoting 20th century and today, the Chamberlain’s Court (the office sheepskin parchment called ‘copy of Freedom’ is presented, vast sums of money to charitable and educational which administers the freedom is as busy as it was in the together with a book entitled ‘Rules for the Conduct of Life’. foundations. At present there are 107 livery companies and 17th century, with around 1700 Freedom admissions each The ceremony concludes with the Chamberlain or Clerk of considerable interest in the formation of new ones. year of which about half are for livery company the Court offering the freeman ‘the right hand of fellowship’ purposes. Those who seek the Freedom without joining a and greeting the recipient as ‘a Citizen of London’. THE CITY OF LONDON then, as now, regulated the livery livery company, for their own personal reasons, may do so companies to a certain degree and demanded that all livery- ‘by nomination’ so called because they are nominated by THE HONORARY FREEDOM is the highest honour the men be Freemen of the City as a method of control. The cost two people who are either Alderman, Common City of London can bestow, and the only occasion when the of Freedom in earlier centuries was comparatively high and Councilmen or liverymen of the City of London. Freedom of the City of London can be considered an award, for some years during the 14th century Freedom fees were THERE ARE THREE WAYS of obtaining Freedom of the City - by redemption, by right of patrimony and by right of Certificate of an Honorary Freeman servitude. The majority of Freedom admissions today are by redemption, either with or without a livery company. An old meaning of the word ‘redeem’ is to ’free oneself from’ or to free by payment although this is misleading as patrimonies and servitudes are also paid for. The main difference is that redemptioners do not have the right to the Freedom as do the patrimonies (children born to Freemen) and servitudes (those who THE CITY OF LONDON is the local authority for the City reward or signal honour. Presentations of the Honorary a major source of income for the City, which is why, of London, the most ancient part of the metropolis which is Freedom are usually made in Guildhall’s Great Hall before historically, the Freedom is administered by the City’s chief Greater London, with Guildhall as its ‘town hall’. The City the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councilmen and finance officer. In return, Freemen had certain valuable operates on a non-party political basis through its Lord distinguished guests, with full ceremonial splendour as trading rights and privileges not available to non-Freemen, Mayor, Aldermen and members of the Court of Common befits the event. usually followed by a Mansion House for example, exemption from market and bridge tolls and Council. It serves an exceptional community of banquet. The roll of past Honorary Freemen includes (very importantly) only Freemen were permitted to vote or international financial and commercial organisations, Nelson, Wellington, Disraeli, General Booth, Florence have a say in the governance of the City. 300,000 commuters and some 7.900 residents. In common Nightingale, Kitchener, Baden-Powell, Winston Churchill, with other local authorities the City is concerned with town Nehru, Montgomery of Alamein, Margaret Thatcher, Nelson WITH THE EXPANDING POPULATION from 1800 planning, housing, highways, cleansing. parks and gardens, Mandela and many members of the Royal Family. onward, control of trade by traditional methods became health, markets. education, the arts and so on. From a unworkable and, following reforming legislation in the private fund (City’s Cash) it maintains many public THE ORIGINS OF THE FREEDOM elate back to 19th century, all City trade and franchise restrictions were amenities including four of the Thames bridges, dispenses mediaeval times when craftsmen and women eventually abolished and the ancient rights and privileges hospitality to royalty, visiting dignitaries and heads of state throughout Europe organised themselves into trade guilds ceased to be relevant. However, the City of London retained and has a thousand-year legacy of history and tradition which protected customers, employers and employees alike the obligatory admission to the Freedom of the City for which includes the Freedom of the City. by checking standards of work, quality of goods, weights liverymen, reducing the fees to make it less of a penalty and, and measures, imposing severe penalties on those who since 1835, encouraged non-liverymen with an interest in FREEDOM CEREMONIES take place daily in the broke the rules. They trained the young and looked after the City to apply as well. Chamberlain’s Court, Guildhall, conducted by the members in age and infirmity. In the City of London these Chamberlain of London (Finance Director) or the Clerk of guilds, many of which still exist, became known as livery DESPITE THIS OPENING UP of the Freedom, interest in the Court on the Chamberlain’s behalf. Freemen are companies. They are not merely picturesque leftovers of the Freedom and the livery companies declined steadily required to read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and history but living institutions, promoting and supporting until the end of the 19th century. Interest revived in the sign the Declaration Book, whereupon a document of their relevant trades (or modem equivalent) and devoting 20th century and today, the Chamberlain’s Court (the office sheepskin parchment called ‘copy of Freedom’ is presented, vast sums of money to charitable and educational which administers the freedom is as busy as it was in the together with a book entitled ‘Rules for the Conduct of Life’. foundations. At present there are 107 livery companies and 17th century, with around 1700 Freedom admissions each The ceremony concludes with the Chamberlain or Clerk of considerable interest in the formation of new ones. year of which about half are for livery company the Court offering the freeman ‘the right hand of fellowship’ purposes. Those who seek the Freedom without joining a and greeting the recipient as ‘a Citizen of London’. THE CITY OF LONDON then, as now, regulated the livery livery company, for their own personal reasons, may do so companies to a certain degree and demanded that all livery- ‘by nomination’ so called because they are nominated by THE HONORARY FREEDOM is the highest honour the men be Freemen of the City as a method of control. The cost two people who are either Alderman, Common City of London can bestow, and the only occasion when the of Freedom in earlier centuries was comparatively high and Councilmen or liverymen of the City of London. Freedom of the City of London can be considered an award, for some years during the 14th century Freedom fees were THERE ARE THREE WAYS of obtaining Freedom of the City - by redemption, by right of patrimony and by right of Certificate of an Honorary Freeman servitude. The majority of Freedom admissions today are by redemption, either with or without a livery company. An old meaning of the word ‘redeem’ is to ’free oneself from’ or to free by payment although this is misleading as patrimonies and servitudes are also paid for. The main difference is that redemptioners do not have the right to the Freedom as do the patrimonies (children born to Freemen) and servitudes (those who THE CITY OF LONDON is the local authority for the City reward or signal honour. Presentations of the Honorary a major source of income for the City, which is why, of London, the most ancient part of the metropolis which is Freedom are usually made in Guildhall’s Great Hall before historically, the Freedom is administered by the City’s chief Greater London, with Guildhall as its ‘town hall’. The City the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councilmen and finance officer. In return, Freemen had certain valuable operates on a non-party political basis through its Lord distinguished guests, with full ceremonial splendour as trading rights and privileges not available to non-Freemen, Mayor, Aldermen and members of the Court of Common befits the event. usually followed by a Mansion House for example, exemption from market and bridge tolls and Council. It serves an exceptional community of banquet. The roll of past Honorary Freemen includes (very importantly) only Freemen were permitted to vote or international financial and commercial organisations, Nelson, Wellington, Disraeli, General Booth, Florence have a say in the governance of the City. 300,000 commuters and some 7.900 residents. In common Nightingale, Kitchener, Baden-Powell, Winston Churchill, with other local authorities the City is concerned with town Nehru, Montgomery of Alamein, Margaret Thatcher, Nelson WITH THE EXPANDING POPULATION from 1800 planning, housing, highways, cleansing. parks and gardens, Mandela and many members of the Royal Family. onward, control of trade by traditional methods became health, markets. education, the arts and so on. From a unworkable and, following reforming legislation in the private fund (City’s Cash) it maintains many public THE ORIGINS OF THE FREEDOM elate back to 19th century, all City trade and franchise restrictions were amenities including four of the Thames bridges, dispenses mediaeval times when craftsmen and women eventually abolished and the ancient rights and privileges hospitality to royalty, visiting dignitaries and heads of state throughout Europe organised themselves into trade guilds ceased to be relevant. However, the City of London retained and has a thousand-year legacy of history and tradition which protected customers, employers and employees alike the obligatory admission to the Freedom of the City for which includes the Freedom of the City. by checking standards of work, quality of goods, weights liverymen, reducing the fees to make it less of a penalty and, and measures, imposing severe penalties on those who since 1835, encouraged non-liverymen with an interest in FREEDOM CEREMONIES take place daily in the broke the rules. They trained the young and looked after the City to apply as well. Chamberlain’s Court, Guildhall, conducted by the members in age and infirmity. In the City of London these Chamberlain of London (Finance Director) or the Clerk of guilds, many of which still exist, became known as livery DESPITE THIS OPENING UP of the Freedom, interest in the Court on the Chamberlain’s behalf. Freemen are companies. They are not merely picturesque leftovers of the Freedom and the livery companies declined steadily required to read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and history but living institutions, promoting and supporting until the end of the 19th century. Interest revived in the sign the Declaration Book, whereupon a document of their relevant trades (or modem equivalent) and devoting 20th century and today, the Chamberlain’s Court (the office sheepskin parchment called ‘copy of Freedom’ is presented, vast sums of money to charitable and educational which administers the freedom is as busy as it was in the together with a book entitled ‘Rules for the Conduct of Life’. foundations. At present there are 107 livery companies and 17th century, with around 1700 Freedom admissions each The ceremony concludes with the Chamberlain or Clerk of considerable interest in the formation of new ones. year of which about half are for livery company the Court offering the freeman ‘the right hand of fellowship’ purposes. Those who seek the Freedom without joining a and greeting the recipient as ‘a Citizen of London’. THE CITY OF LONDON then, as now, regulated the livery livery company, for their own personal reasons, may do so companies to a certain degree and demanded that all livery- ‘by nomination’ so called because they are nominated by THE HONORARY FREEDOM is the highest honour the men be Freemen of the City as a method of control. The cost two people who are either Alderman, Common City of London can bestow, and the only occasion when the of Freedom in earlier centuries was comparatively high and Councilmen or liverymen of the City of London. Freedom of the City of London can be considered an award, for some years during the 14th century Freedom fees were THERE ARE THREE WAYS of obtaining Freedom of the City - by redemption, by right of patrimony and by right of Certificate of an Honorary Freeman servitude. The majority of Freedom admissions today are by redemption, either with or without a livery company. An old meaning of the word ‘redeem’ is to ’free oneself from’ or to free by payment although this is misleading as patrimonies and servitudes are also paid for. The main difference is that redemptioners do not have the right to the Freedom as do the patrimonies (children born to Freemen) and servitudes (those who of attack (a sort of mediaeval territorial army). Other commonly -held beliefs include the right to be hanged by a silken rope, be married in St. Paul’s Cathedral, be buried within the City, to be drunk and disorderly in the City without fear of arrest. lf any of these ever did exist they certainly no longer apply and the only privileges relating to the Freedom now are purely of an educational and charitable nature. Freedom fees are given entirely to the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead, Surrey to support orphans of Freemen and there is a City of London Almshouse in Brixton, south-west London.