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.

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

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

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