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

The freemen paid to build the city walls in the early 14th century. The idea was to defend the city from attack, but it was much more useful for collecting tolls.

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

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