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

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

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

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.