What is the Freedom of the City?

The Freedom of the City of London goes back over 1,000 years. The first ceremony of record was 1227, but it likely pre-dates that. London is not unlike many other old cities in granting fee status to men and women but London being the long established capital of the UK perhaps brings with it additional reverence. That said this is the City of London, not the entirety and for many Brits and non-Brits this too needs some explaining.

Today the UK is administered centrally out of Westminster, a city of London, and regionally by assemblies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as elected Mayors, county, city and town councils, plus other layers of administration. The City of Westminster is one of 32 boroughs making up all of London.

The City of London dates back to Roman times and is actually only 1.12 square miles in total, known by the metonym “the square mile”. Referred today as “The City” which has come to mean all the large institutions and financials services companies that trade from and around the area. Much more information can be found about the City, the City of London Corporation and the history of Londinium.

Around 1189 the City of London was granted permission by King. Henry II (king 1154-1189) or Richard I (king 1189-1199). Since then, with the exception of the civil war period, The City of London has always elected a Mayor, from Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone through to today.

The Lord Mayor sits for only one year. The lord mayor is elected at Common Hall, comprising?liverymen?belonging to all of the City's?livery companies. Common Hall is summoned by the sitting lord mayor; it meets at?Guildhall?on?Michaelmas Day or on the closest weekday. Perhaps the most famous of the Lord Mayors is Dick Whittington.

1227 may seem a long time ago. Indeed the world was a wholly different place. A map from some 200+ years later gives clue to how the world was in the 13th Century.

The ceremony of the Freedom of the City takes place in the Chamberlains Court of Guildhall, conducted by the Clerk of the Court.

At the ceremony I was asked to swear an oath and sign the book of members, arguably the world’s most valuable autograph collection. Other members would include Giuseppe Garibaldi, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, David Livingstone, Florence Nightingale, Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, Queen Elizabeth II, Vera Lynn, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Tim Berners-Lee, Stephen Hawking, Luciano Pavarotti, Judi, Dench, Ronnie Wood, Captain Sir Tom Moore, David Weir, Harry Kane…. you get the idea.

After the ceremony a certificate of entitlement is presented, Handwritten on vellum (a form of 'paper' made from sheep skin) and framed. But the red pouch is there so I can carry a copy with me at all times. The ceremony ends with a tour of some of the amazing artefacts from history and a look through some of the autographs and signatures of previous recipients.

Why would I need to carry a copy with me? Aside from exempting me from all tolls at markets and fairs, sadly not the London ULEZ or London Congestion Charges, it also gives me immunity from being pressed into the army or navy and, should we ever bring back the death penalty I can be hanged by a silk chord not a rope. Let’s hope that never happens!

Other rights afforded to me was to vote in City of London elections, herd a gaggle of geese down Cheapside (a road) and herd sheep (or cattle) across London Bridge (yes this is on my bucket list!). I can also carry a drawn sword in the city (although travelling to get there may be challenging legally) ?and, should I be found drunk in the city, it is up to the City of London Police to make sure I get home safely.

I think, perhaps my bucket list just got longer!

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