Freedom of the City

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For the role-playing game campaign setting, see Freedom City.

Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States to esteemed members of its community or to organisations that have given the community heroic service; the term applies to two separate honours, one civilian and one military. Key to the City is a similar award made in several other countries, and is more prevalent in the United States.

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[edit] Forms of Freedom of the City

[edit] As a Military Privilege

Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed".

This honour dates back to the laws of ancient Rome that made it a capital offence for Roman legions to enter the city in formation or with weapons without permission. This was meant to ensure that ambitious generals did not mount a military coup against the Senate. Similar laws were passed by cities throughout the Medieval era, also to protect civic security and rights, even against their own king's troops.

However, legions, regiments, or other martial groups that had given heroic service or whose honour was beyond question, might be granted Freedom of the City: the group would not have to disarm or break ranks before the city gates were opened to them. Given the serious risk the city would be running, this was a rare honour.

Today, martial Freedom of the City is an entirely ceremonial honour, but remains the oldest and one of the highest civic honours in the Commonwealth of Nations.[1]

[edit] As Freedom from Serfdom

See also: Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1885

A slightly more common Freedom of the City is connected to the medieval concept of "Free status", when city and town charters drew a distinction between freemen and vassals of a feudal Lord. As such, freemen actually pre-date 'Boroughs'. Early Freedom of the Boroughs ceremonies had great importance in affirming that the recipient enjoyed privileges such as the right to trade and own property, and protection within the town. Before parliamentary reform in 1832, freedom of the city or town conferred the right to vote in the 'parliamentary boroughs' for the MPs. Until the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 the Freemen were the exclusive electorate for the boroughs. These two Acts together curtailed the power of the Freemen and extended the Franchise to all 'householders' (i.e., local rate payers). The private property belonging to the freemen collectively was retained. York, Oxford and Newcastle-upon-Tyne still own considerable areas within their towns, although the income is effectively given to support charitable objects. The Local Government Act 1972 specifically preserved Freemen's rights.

In contemporary society, the award of Honorary Freedom of a City or Borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many Towns and Cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the City wishes to bestow an honour (See Local Government Act 1972) it requires a special meeting of the Council which passes the resolution by a two thirds majority.

The Key to the City award is used in many places, in a manner similar to Freedom of the City (see below).


[edit] In Practice

[edit] Borough Freedom of the City of London

In England, the most extensive Borough Freedom is that conferred by the Freedom of the City of London, first recorded in 1237. This is closely tied to the role and status of the Livery Companies. From 1835 the Freedom "without the intervention of a Livery Company" has been bestowed by a general resolution of Common Council, by 'Redemption' (purchase), at one time an onerous sum but now a donation to the Freemen's School.

New Freemen receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London School, the City of London School for Girls, and the City of London Freemen's School. Apocryphally, a freeman has the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge, or to carry a naked sword in public; or if officers of the City of London Police find a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him into a taxi and send him home rather than throw him in a cell and later charge him. The benefit of immunity from prosecution for being drunk and disorderly has long since disappeared, if indeed it ever existed. However the droving rights were exercised on June 17, 2006 when a flock of about 30 sheep was driven across the Millennium Bridge to mark the start of London Architecture Week.[2]

Today the Freedom of the City of London is still taken up by some 1,800 people every year. Prior to 1996, the Freedom was only open to British or Commonwealth Citizens over 21 years of age and of good character. Now, however, it has been extended globally, and persons of any nationality may apply either by nomination, by patrimony or by being presented by a Livery Company. There is a long standing tradition of admitting women, who used to be called 'free sisters'.

Although the Freedom is not an honour or award except in the case of Honorary Freedom, many people who have lived or worked in the City are proud to become part of the City's history by becoming Freemen. The Freedom is open to all who are genuinely interested and meet the criteria set down.

[edit] Borough Freedom of the City in other cities

In other British cities, towns and boroughs, the qualifications for Borough Freedom differ, yet fall into two categories, 'patrimony' (inheritance) and 'servitude' (apprenticeship). For example, in Chester and York, only the children or grandchildren (male or female) of Freemen may apply for Admission. In Great Grimsby, the Widow of a Freeman passes his rights to her second husband who retains the privilege after either Divorce from or death of the Widow. The Borough Freedom is strongest in York, Chester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry, in the last named Freedom is qualified by having served an Apprenticeship. Durham and Northampton have extended their admission criteria to those who have served an apprenticeship without being 'bound' (trained by) by a Freeman directly. The Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1885 is a law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

In the Republic of Ireland Borough Freedom of the City is generally given to noted foreign and national dignitaries and the list rarely exceeds a few dozen. The cities of the Republic of Ireland generally give various privileges, for instance Dublin allows the right to vote in certain elections, bring goods for sale in the city without customs and the right to pasture sheep on common ground such as College Green and St. Stephen's Green.

[edit] Key to the City

The key to the city is a similar award that is descended from Freedom of the City.[3] It is used in several countries, but is especially popular in the United States.

An ornamental key is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others the city wishes to honor. Evoking medieval walled cities whose gates were guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents.

[edit] Notable awards of 'Freedom of the City' and 'Key to the City'

[edit] Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

[edit] Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The City of Toronto has sometimes bestowed martial Freedom of the City on Canadian Forces regiments located in or near the city.

The city also bestows the "Key to the City" upon individuals that it wishes to honour in such a manner, usually at the discretion of the Mayor.

Recipients include:

[edit] Kingston, Ontario Canada

The City of Kingston bestowed martial Freedom of the City to the RMC in 1976, on the occasion of its centenary. This privilege for a specific military unit to march through the city “with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating” was granted “until such time as the Cataraqui runs dry.” [6]

[edit] Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada

  • March 31, 2008: UNICEF Team Canada was awarded martial Freedom of the City for victory at the tent pegging world championships and for humanitarian work against childhood HIV in the developing world[7]

[edit] Bradford, England

J. B. Priestley was awarded the Freedom of Bradford.

[edit] Preston, England

Andrew Flintoff was awarded the Freedom of Preston for his contribution in the 2005 Ashes Series.

[edit] Derby, England

  • In 2002 the city of Derby awarded the Freedom of the City to the entire Royal Navy Submarine Service.
  • In 2003 the city of Derby awarded the Freedom of the City to former Derby County and Nottingham Forest football manager Brian Clough.

[edit] Ipswich, England

May 05, 2008: Sir Bobby Robson, received the Freedom Of The Borough Of Ipswich. Robson won the FA Cup in 1978 with Ipswich Town and The FA Cup with Ipswich in 1981. Robson also went on to manage England.

[edit] Kingston upon Hull, England

Recipients of Freedom of the City of Hull include:

  • 1999: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, when he was invited to give the annual Wilberforce Lecture in Kingston upon Hull, commemorating the life and achievements of the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce. Tutu used the occasion to praise the people of the city for their traditional support of freedom and for standing with the people of South Africa in their fight against apartheid.

[edit] Liverpool, England

Recipients of Freedom of the City of Liverpool include:

[edit] London, England

Lindbergh's key
Lindbergh's key

[edit] Manchester, England

  • June 15, 1906: businessman and Liberal Member of parliament Sir William John Crossley was presented with a key on the 15th of June in honour of the Stamford Park County School. He was made a baronet later the same year. He, with his brother Francis, founded the pioneering locomotive company Crossley and the (now defunct) car manufacturer Crossley Motors and was a Director of the Manchester Ship Canal.
    Sir William Crossley's Key
    Sir William Crossley's Key
  • 1907: James W. Southern, another director of the Manchester Ship Canal, was presented with the Freedom of the City in the form of a silver casket and scroll.
  • October 31, 1977: Astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell was presented with the Freedom of the City in the form of a simple salver.

[edit] Norwich, England

[edit] Sheffield, England

  • 2005 Ashes Series Winning Captain Michael Vaughan was awarded Freedom of the City due to his achievements in bringing back The Ashes.

[edit] Kingston, Jamaica

This award is given by the Kingston and St. Andrew Cooperation (KSAC) in collaboration with the Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew. It is given to outstanding individuals, who did or continue to make a mark in the city of Kingston. This person or group must meet certain criteria, and display outstanding ability and commitment to building the city and nation. This award is the highest award given by a city/parish.

  • April 23, 2006: Bishop, Hon. Dr. Carmen L. Stewart, OD, JP, Custos Rotorulum of St. Andrew, Jamaica.

[edit] Tokyo, Japan

Recipients of the Key to the Metropolis of Tokyo include:

  • Helen Keller[11]
  • Dr. Leon Picon, one of the founding members of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations and a former Secretary-General.[12]
  • Paul E. Ruestow, U.S. Major General[13]
  • 1959: Bill Effinger, former Mayor of Buena Park, California.[14]
  • 1963: John Glenn, Tokyo Gov. Rotaro Azuma presents Glenn with key to the metropolis of Tokyo on May 30, 1963. [23]
  • Francis Sumner Carruth, Lieutenant Colonel in the Untied States Air Force. His management skills played an important role in heading off a labor strike in Tokyo.[15]
  • Dr. Albert M. Schwartz who was a vascular surgeon and a Colonel in the US Army.
    Dr. Schwartz's Key
    Dr. Schwartz's Key

[edit] Aberdeen, Scotland

See also Freedom of the City of Aberdeen

[edit] Franklin Springs, Georgia, United States

[edit] Milton, Georgia, United States

  • 2007: The original Governor's Commission for the City of Milton (Ron Wallace, Brandon Beach, Gregory Mishkin, Dan Phalan and Cecil Pruitt) was awarded the key to the city of Milton in recognition of their work in the creation of the city. They were also presented a proclamation that officially declares December 1st as "Commissioning Day" in honor of their achievements.

[edit] New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

  • November 21, 2006: Kentucky-New Orleans Architecture Studio received the key to the City of New Orleans for their work on restoration and re-design efforts of Mickey Markey Park in Bywater.[17]
  • April 26, 2007: The Harris County Hospital District on in recognition of its efforts to provide health care to Hurricane Katrina evacuees at its Astrodome Clinic in September 2005.[18]

[edit] Albion, Michigan, United States

Recipients include:

[edit] Detroit, Michigan, United States

Recipients include:

[edit] Flint, Michigan, United States

[edit] New York, New York, United States

The City of New York bestows the "Key to the City" upon individuals that it wishes to honour in such a manner. Recipients include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [2]
  3. ^ [3]
  4. ^ [4]
  5. ^ [5]
  6. ^ [http://www.rmcclub.ca/everitaswp/?p=1210#more-1210
  7. ^ [6]
  8. ^ [7]
  9. ^ [8]
  10. ^ [9]
  11. ^ [10]
  12. ^ [11]
  13. ^ [12]
  14. ^ [13]
  15. ^ [14]
  16. ^ [15]
  17. ^ [16]
  18. ^ [17]
  19. ^ a b [18]
  20. ^ Guess Who Got The Key To Detroit?, CBS News
  21. ^ [19]
  22. ^ [20]
  23. ^ [21]
  24. ^ [22]

[edit] External links

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