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.

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.

Anybody who wished to trade freely in medieval Norwich had to become a freeman.