4 ms·

As an American, I'm interested in what makes up a "freeman". From wikipedia it seems like it's just someone whose not a noble, but there's only a sentence blurb

As an American, I'm interested in what makes up a "freeman". From wikipedia it seems like it's just someone whose not a noble, but there's only a sentence blurb about it. Maybe someone from England can clarify? :).

jfk13 5y ago
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-governance/freedom-of-the-city https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-govern... might be helpful?
elthran 5y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London tl;dr basically an award you can be given by the government of the City of London
- gumby 5y ago
  Which, for Americans, is not the same as the city you know of as London. It's about a square mile inside greater London and is often referred to as such.
  - rjmunro 5y ago
    CGPGrey has a great video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ROpIKZe-c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ROpIKZe-c
- jacobsievers 5y ago
  Also, apparently, not an award? From your link: "Whilst undoubtedly a privilege, strict instructions are given that the Freedom of the City of London should not be presented to others as being an honour or award."
andrewf 5y ago
America has something similar in spirit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City#Key_to_the_city https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City#Key_to_the... "In some countries, such as the United States, an ornamental key – the ‘key to the city’ – is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others whom the city wishes to honour. This practice is a variation on the freedom of the city tradition, and has a similar symbolic meaning; evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolises the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents."
MeinBlutIstBlau 5y ago
Freemen were people who werent bound to serfdom. You weren't obligated or a vassal of a noble. You could work in any way you saw fit or pledge yourself as you wished.

jfk13 5y ago

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-governance/freedom-of-the-city https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-us/law-historic-govern... might be helpful?

elthran 5y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London tl;dr basically an award you can be given by the government of the City of London

gumby 5y ago
Which, for Americans, is not the same as the city you know of as London. It's about a square mile inside greater London and is often referred to as such.
- rjmunro 5y ago
  CGPGrey has a great video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ROpIKZe-c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1ROpIKZe-c
jacobsievers 5y ago
Also, apparently, not an award? From your link: "Whilst undoubtedly a privilege, strict instructions are given that the Freedom of the City of London should not be presented to others as being an honour or award."

andrewf 5y ago

America has something similar in spirit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City#Key_to_the_city https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City#Key_to_the... "In some countries, such as the United States, an ornamental key – the ‘key to the city’ – is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others whom the city wishes to honour. This practice is a variation on the freedom of the city tradition, and has a similar symbolic meaning; evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolises the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents."

MeinBlutIstBlau 5y ago

Freemen were people who werent bound to serfdom. You weren't obligated or a vassal of a noble. You could work in any way you saw fit or pledge yourself as you wished.