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

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.

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.