The annual freemen’s outing is a popular event which now attracts hundreds, including freemen from overseas. Visits are often to properties which have received substantial grants from the freemen’s charity.

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

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.

In 1289 Hugh de London was fined 12d ‘because he buys and sells in the city and is not of the freedom’