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

From the early 15th century, the freemen governed Norwich in relative harmony for 250 years – in marked contrast to other large rival towns in England such as Bristol, York and Newcastle.

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

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