It’s an old tradition that freemen had the right to be hanged with a silk noose!

Ed Balls’ ancestors were Norwich Freemen between 1404 and 1913, but the succession has lapsed and he is no longer eligible.

Until 1835 only freemen could vote in the Norwich local elections. This created problems as rate payers did not have the right to vote.

New freemen have to swear an oath to be ‘buxom’ to the mayor. This is a medieval way of declaring obedience and loyalty to the mayor.