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

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.

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.

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