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

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

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.