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Freedom of the City

The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom, the tradition still lives on in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand—although today the title of "freeman" confers no special privileges. The Freedom of the City can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city's trust; in this context, it is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry. This allows them the freedom to parade through the city, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry.

"Key to the City" redirects here. For other meanings of the term, see Key to the City (disambiguation).

The honour was sometimes accompanied by a "freedom box", a small gold box inscribed to record the occasion; these are not usual today. In some countries, such as the United States, esteemed residents and visitors may instead be presented with the Key to the City, a similarly symbolic honour. Other US cities award Honorary Citizenship with just a certificate.

On 19 August 1999, Jef Smith, a freeman of London walked two sheep over to bring attention to the rights of older citizens.[10]

Tower Bridge

On 17 June 2006, a flock of about thirty sheep was driven across the to mark the start of London Architecture Week.[11]

Millennium Bridge

On 31 August 2008, Amanda Cottrell, former , marched six rams across London Bridge to promote fundraising for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral and "a scheme backing local food production".[12]

High Sheriff of Kent

On 17 September 2008, the Lord Mayor of London, , and some 500 freemen drove a flock of Romney ewes in relay across London Bridge to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's charities (Orbis and Wellbeing of Women).[13]

David Lewis

On 7 April 2013, actor and presenter drove Grace, a year-old lamb, over London Bridge for a documentary about becoming a freeman, Stephen Fry's Key To The City.[14][15]

Stephen Fry

On 27 April 2019, freeman of the city Simone Lakmaker drove Mark, a ram from Spitalfields City Farm, over London Bridge as part of her 80th birthday celebrations and to raise awareness for her charity the Speaking Out Forum.

Honorary citizenship

List of Freedom of the City recipients (military)

Guild of Freemen of the City of London

Welcome

Archived 27 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine

Freedom of the City of London

Archived 17 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine

The Gild of Freemen of the City of York

Freemen of the City of Liverpool