New freemen have to swear an oath to be ‘buxom’ to the mayor. This is a medieval way of declaring obedience and loyalty to the mayor.

Under the freemen’s governance, Norwich grew to become England’s second city after London for 200 years – 1525 to 1725.

The annual freemen’s outing is a popular event which now attracts hundreds, including freemen from overseas. Visits are often to properties which have received substantial grants from the freemen’s charity.

Anybody who wished to trade freely in medieval Norwich had to become a freeman.