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!

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.