It’s an old tradition that freemen had the right to be hanged with a silk noose!

Norwich Guildhall was built by the freemen to house the new city government, law courts, a gaol, assemblies and administrators set up in 1404. It was used as the centre of city government until 1937 when it was replaced by City Hall.

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

The freemen paid to build the city walls in the early 14th century. The idea was to defend the city from attack, but it was much more useful for collecting tolls.