In 1289 Hugh de London was fined 12d ‘because he buys and sells in the city and is not of the freedom’

During Queen Elizabeth I reign, Norwich Freemen devised one of the earliest schemes of poor relief in the country. It later served as a model for national schemes.

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.

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