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

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.

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

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.