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.

Until 1835 only freemen could vote in the Norwich local elections. This created problems as rate payers did not have the right to vote.

Ed Balls’ ancestors were Norwich Freemen between 1404 and 1913, but the succession has lapsed and he is no longer eligible.

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