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

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

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.

From the early 15th century, the freemen governed Norwich in relative harmony for 250 years – in marked contrast to other large rival towns in England such as Bristol, York and Newcastle.