Freedom of the City facts for kids
The Freedom of the City is a special honour given by a city or town to someone important. It can be for a person who has done great things for the community. It can also be for a famous visitor or a military group.
This tradition started a long time ago in the Middle Ages. Back then, most people were not truly free. They were like servants to a powerful lord. But if you lived in a city, you could become a "freeman." This meant you had special rights, like being able to trade and own property. Today, the title of "freeman" doesn't give special rights. It's mostly a way to show respect.
Sometimes, cities give a "Key to the City" instead. This is a similar symbolic honour. It means the person is a trusted friend of the city.
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A Special Honour for Military Groups
The Freedom of the City is an old honour given to military groups. It allows them to march through the city with "drums beating, flags flying, and bayonets fixed." This means they can march with all their military gear, which was a big deal long ago.
This tradition goes back to ancient Rome. Roman cities had a special boundary called the "pomerium." Generals and soldiers were not allowed to enter it with their weapons. If they did, they lost their military power. The only exception was for victory parades, called "triumphs." During these, a winning general could enter for just one day.
Later, in medieval Europe, cities also had rules to protect themselves. Soldiers usually had to camp outside the city walls. The Freedom of the City was given only to military units that the city trusted. This might be because they had done something brave or were a familiar, friendly presence.
Today, giving military groups the Freedom of the City is a symbolic honour. It's usually given to a unit that has a long history with the area. It shows thanks for their service. When a unit gets this honour, they often have a special parade through the city.
Civilian Privileges and History
In the past, being a "freeman" of a city meant you had important rights. These included the right to trade and own property. It showed you were not a servant to a feudal lord. These early ceremonies were very important. They confirmed that the person had special freedoms and protection within the town.
Today, getting honorary freedom of the city is mostly symbolic. Local governments give it to people who have done amazing things for the area. Or they give it to anyone they want to honour.
Freedom in the United Kingdom
Before 1832, if you had the freedom of a city or town, you could vote for Members of Parliament. This changed with new laws that gave more people the right to vote. However, some old rights for freemen were kept. For example, freemen of York, Oxford, and Newcastle upon Tyne still own land together. The money from this land often goes to charity.
Today, rules for giving honorary freedom are set by a law from 1972 (and updated in 2009). City and town councils can give this honour to "persons of distinction." These are people who have done "eminent services" (great services) for the local area. A special meeting of the council must vote for it, with a two-thirds majority.
The exact rules for becoming a freeman can differ. For example, in Chester, only children or grandchildren of freemen can apply. In York, it extends to great-great-grandchildren. Also, if you train as an apprentice to a freeman, you might be able to join.
Freedom of the City of London
In England, the most well-known freedom is the Freedom of the City of London. Records of this honour go back to 1237. You can get this freedom in a few ways:
- By training as an apprentice (servitude).
- By inheritance (patrimony).
- By being nominated.
- By being presented through a livery company.
New freemen have a ceremony in Guildhall. They receive a guide on how to live honourably and a special certificate. Children of freemen get preference for admission to the City of London Freemen's School.
There are some fun, old traditions linked to freemen. These include the right to drive sheep over London Bridge. While these are mostly symbolic now, freemen have sometimes done this for special events.
For example, in 1999, a freeman walked two sheep over Tower Bridge. In 2006, a flock of sheep crossed the Millennium Bridge. These events often happen to raise money for charity or to highlight old traditions. Since 2015, driving sheep across the bridge has become an annual event. It is organized by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen.
Freedom of the City of York
York has a long history of freemen, going back to Anglo-Saxon times. Records date back to 1272. Freemen can claim their rights through family (patronage) or by being an apprentice. Once sworn in, freemen can join the Gild of Freemen. This group continues to be interested in the city's affairs. New freemen are admitted every year at a ceremony with the Lord Mayor.
Freedom in the Republic of Ireland
In Ireland, the freedom of the city is usually given to important foreign and national guests. The list of recipients is usually quite small. Like in the UK, this title comes with some old privileges. For example, freemen of Dublin can vote in certain elections. They can also bring goods to sell in the city without paying customs. They even have the right to let sheep graze on common land like College Green.
Freedom in Canada
Freedom of the City is also given to individual units of the Canadian Forces. Many units use this privilege during important yearly events. For example, The Calgary Highlanders celebrate the Battle of Kitcheners' Wood with an annual freedom of the city parade.
Key to the City Honour
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In some countries, like the United States, an ornamental key is given. This is called the "key to the city." It is given to respected visitors, residents, or others the city wants to honour. This is a bit like the Freedom of the City tradition.
It has a similar symbolic meaning. It reminds us of medieval walled cities. Their gates were guarded during the day and locked at night. The key means the person can enter and leave the city freely. It shows they are a trusted friend of the city's people.
In some cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, the key to the city is given to the 'Carnival Prince'. This happens at the start of the carnivals before Septuagesima. The tradition is that the mayor steps down for this time. Power is given to the Carnival Prince. He then returns the key at the end of Shrove Tuesday. Today, handing over the key is mostly symbolic. It marks the start and end of the carnival fun.
A similar tradition happens in some Latin American festivals. For example, at Rio Carnival, the festival's King Momo gets the key to the city. This happens at the start of the celebrations.
In Canada, big cities like Toronto and Vancouver may give a key to the city. They give it to important business leaders, musicians, and politicians. In 2016, the Canadian musician Drake received a key to the city of Toronto. It was given to him by the mayor, John Tory.
In Calgary, there's a local tradition. They give esteemed visitors a symbolic cowboy hat instead of a key. This is usually followed by a fun oath to become an honorary Calgarian.
See also
- Honorary citizenship
- List of Freedom of the City recipients (military)
