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Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe to esteemed members of its community or to organisations that have given the community heroic service; the term applies to two separate honors, 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.

Contents 1 Forms of freedom of the city 1.1 As a military privilege 1.2 As freedom from serfdom 2 In practice 2.1 Borough Freedom of the City of London 2.2 Borough freedom of the city in other cities 3 Key to the City 4 Military freedom of the city 4.1 Australia 4.2 Canada 4.3 United Kingdom 5 Notable non-military awards of 'freedom of the city' and 'key to the city' 5.1 Australia 5.2 Canada 5.3 Republic of Ireland 5.4 United Kingdom 5.5 Jamaica 5.6 Japan 5.7 United States 6 References 7 External links

[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. (It was the law that Julius Caesar broke when crossing the Rubicon.) 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

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 the 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 are enrolled in a ceremony in Guildhall, when they receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion and an impressive sealed certificate. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London Freemen's School. There are a number of rights traditionally but apocryphally associated with Freemen—the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge; to a silken rope, if hanged; to carry a naked sword in public; or that if the City of London Police finds a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him or her into a taxi and send them home rather than throw them into a cell.

The belief that freemen have droving rights over the bridges appears to be a misinterpretation of freemen's historic freedom from bridge tolls when bringing animals into the City for sale.^[2] Nevertheless, this "invented" right has been exercised periodically in modern times:

• On June 17, 2006, a flock of about thirty sheep was driven across the Millennium Bridge to mark the start of London Architecture Week^[3].
• On August 31, 2008, Amanda Cottrell, a former High Sheriff of the City, marched six rams across London Bridge to promote fundraising for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral and "a scheme backing local food production"^[4]
• On September 17, 2008, the Lord Mayor and some 500 Freemen drove a flock of Romney ewes in relay across the bridge to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's charities (Orbis and Wellbeing of Women).^[5]

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' but who are now also called Freemen.

Although the Freedom is not an honour 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 (or great grandchildren in York) (male or female) of freemen may apply for admission (In York, apprenticeship to a freeman of the city will also allow admission; though now rare, it has been used as recently as 2000.^[6] 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^{[disambiguation needed]} 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. However the Freedom is still thriving in many cities and the above should only be seen as a guide. Each city where the admission of Freemen is carried out has its own regulations and customs for admission. Full information is available at the local authority of each city where Freemen are created.

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.^[7] 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.

In the Netherlands and some cities in Belgium and Germany, the key to the city is given to the so-called "Prince carnival", which leads the carnivals which take place the week prior to Septuagesima. The tradition is that the mayor steps down for the days, and so the power is transferred to the prince carnival, which returns the key at the end of Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras. Today, the handing over of the key is mostly symbolic and marks the start and end of the carnival.

[edit] Military freedom of the city

[edit] Australia

Sydney, New South Wales

• Royal Australian Navy: March 14, 2009^[8]

Maitland, New South Wales

• HMAS Maitland: 2006^[9]

[edit] Canada

Airdrie, Alberta

• Calgary Highlanders

Calgary, Alberta

• 14 (Calgary) Service Battalion
• Calgary Highlanders: 1956
• King's Own Calgary Regiment
• Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
• HMCS Calgary
• 4 Wing Cold Lake: 11 May 1999 ^[10]

Courtenay, British Columbia

• HMCS Quadra: 2008

Edmonton, Alberta

• The Loyal Edmonton Regiment

Hamilton, Ontario

• HMCS Star (Naval Reserve)
• Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada
• Royal Hamilton Light Infantry

Kelowna, British Columbia

• British Columbia Dragoons: 11 February 1963 ^[11]

Kingston, Ontario

• Royal Military College of Canada: 1976 ^[12]
• HMCS Cataraqui

London, Ontario

• The Royal Canadian Regiment (1st Battalion) 1980 ^[13]

Ottawa, Ontario

• The Royal Canadian Regiment (1st Battalion)1953
• Cameron Highlanders: 1969 ^[14]
• 26/28 Service Battalion: 2009

Montreal, Quebec

• The Royal Canadian Hussars

Quebec City, Quebec

• Royal 22^e Régiment

Toronto, Ontario

• 48th Highlanders of Canada
• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada: 1948
• The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Own)
• HMCS Toronto

Uxbridge, Ontario

• UNICEF Team Canada: 2008 ^[15]

Waterloo, Ontario

• 31 Combat Engineer Regiment^[16]

Vancouver, British Columbia

• 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance: 2007 ^[17]

Vegreville, Alberta

• 41 Combat Engineer Regiment (From predecessor unit)

Victoria, British Columbia ^[18]

• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3rd Battalion)
• HMCS Malahat
• Maritime Forces Pacific
• The 5th. (B.C.) Field Battery Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
• Major-General, The Honourable George Randolph Pearkes, V.C.
• Royal Roads Military College

Montreal, Quebec

• Canadian Grenadier Guards
• Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
• 3rd Field Engineer Regiment (34 CER)

[edit] United Kingdom

Bristol, England

• 266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) Battery, Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
• 57 (City and County of Bristol) Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals (Volunteers)

[edit] Notable non-military awards of 'freedom of the city' and 'key to the city'

[edit] Australia

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

'Freedom of the City' or 'Key to the City' has been granted twice in recent history.

• 2001: Royal Military Collage Duntroon During that year's GMC 400

• 2006: 1 April Scout Association of Australia, ACT Branch in recognition of the branch's 25th Anniversary

[edit] Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The city 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:

• 2000: Barenaked Ladies, a Canadian pop band.
• October 23, 2000: J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of books.
• 2001: Blue Rodeo, a Canadian alt-country band.
• November 18, 2001: Jackie Chan, an action movie star, was awarded the Key to the City in recognition of filming a movie there.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

• May 9, 2009: Windsor Spitfires Major Junior ice hockey team for winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup.^[19]

[edit] Republic of Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

See also Freedom of Dublin City

• Nelson Mandela
• Bill Clinton

[edit] United Kingdom

Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen has a long history of bestowing the honour. See Freedom of the City of Aberdeen for details.

Bradford, England

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

Bury St Edmunds, England

• Actor Ian McShane was given freedom of the borough in 1996 after he played the title role in the television series Lovejoy, filmed in and around Bury.

Derby, England

• 2003: former Derby County and Nottingham Forest football manager Brian Clough.

Douglas, Isle of Man

• Musicians The Bee Gees given freedom of the city in June 2009.

Durham, England

• December 08 2008: Sir Bobby Robson received the Freedom of the City of Durham in honor of his services to football and charitable work. Robson was born in Sacriston, County Durham and went on to manage several successful football clubs across Europe including PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, FC Barcelona and Newcastle United.

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. Robson also went on to manage England.

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.

Leeds, England

• April 30, 2001: Nelson Mandela

Liverpool, England

• Recipients of Freedom of the City of Liverpool include:

• • April 30, 1970: Elizabeth Margaret Braddock, better known as Bessie Braddock, Liverpool-born British Labour politician.
  • November 23, 1983: Bob Paisley, best known for being one of the most successful managers in English football history whilst managing his only team Liverpool Football Club in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • March 7, 1984: George Harrison, Liverpool-born rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, author and sitarist best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles.
  • March 7, 1984: John Lennon, Liverpool-born songwriter, singer, musician, graphic artist, author and political activist, one of the founders of The Beatles. (Posthumous)
  • March 7, 1984: Paul McCartney, Liverpool-born songwriter, singer, musician, graphic artist, author and political activist, one of the founders of The Beatles.
  • March 7, 1984: Ringo Starr, real name Richard Starkey Jr, Liverpool-born musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer of The Beatles.
  • July 6, 1994: Nelson Mandela, 11th President of South Africa.
  • September 14, 2008: Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Soldiers returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan were awarded freedom of the city in recognition of their bravery and sacrifice.
  • September 30, 2008: Sir Simon Rattle Conductor awarded Freedom of Liverpool. He was presented with the honour by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Rotheram.
  • April 15, 2009: Families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster were given this honour in a ceremony recognising the 20th anniversary of the event.

London, England

• Freedom of the City of London awarded to Charles Lindbergh.
• 2005: Freedom of the City of London granted to Luciano Pavarotti.^[20]
• 2008: Freedom of the City of London granted to Otto von Habsburg.^[21]

Manchester, England

• October 6, 1899: Mrs Enriqueta Augustina Rylands
• 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
• 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.
• 1974: Nellie Beer
• October 31, 1977: Astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell was presented with the Freedom of the City in the form of a simple salver.
• 1984: Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw
• March 2, 2009: Sir Bobby Charlton was awarded the Freedom for promoting the city of Manchester.
• November 2, 2009: UK Olympic Cycling Team in recognition of their achievements

Nottingham

• 1920 Jesse Boot, founder of Boots the Chemist

Preston, England

• 1997: Nick Park was awarded the Freedom of Preston for his Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit films.
• 2005: Andrew Flintoff was awarded the Freedom of Preston for his contribution in the Ashes Series.

Portsmouth, England

• October 28, 2008: Former Portsmouth F.C. manager Harry Redknapp was made a freeman of the city for his achievements in leading Portsmouth to the FA Cup in 2007-8.^[22] Ironically he had left Portsmouth FC for Tottenham Hotspur days earlier and he was booed by fans at the presentation.

Romsey, England

• July 14, 2009: Soldiers from the 1st Battalion (Armored Tigers) of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment were given the Freedom of Romsey for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony followed a parade held to welcome the unit home. Technically, the PWRR already had the Freedom of Romsey, as it inherited it from the Royal Hampshire Regiment as a result of the 1992 Options for Change merger with the Queen's Regiment.^[23]

Sheffield, England

• 2005: Winning Captain Michael Vaughan was awarded Freedom of the City for his contribution in the Ashes Series.
• March 8, 2006: Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize was granted martial Freedom of the City, ironically, in recognition of her non-violent work against the military dictatorship in Burma.^[1]

[edit] Jamaica

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] Japan

Tokyo

• Recipients of the Key to the Metropolis of Tokyo include:
  • Helen Keller^[24]
  • Dr. Leon Picon, one of the founding members of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations and a former Secretary-General.
  • Paul E. Ruestow, U.S. Major General^[25]
  • Bill Effinger, former Mayor of Buena Park, California, 1959.^[26]
  • John Glenn, presented by Tokyo Gov. Rotaro Azuma on May 30, 1963. [7]
  • Francis Sumner Carruth, Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. His management skills played an important role in heading off a labor strike in Tokyo.^[27]
  • Dr. Albert M. Schwartz, a vascular surgeon and a Colonel in the US Army.

[edit] United States

Buffalo, New York, United States

• May 19, 2009: Terell Owens received the key to the city of Buffalo with the provisions that he catch a minimum of 10 touchdown passes for the Bills and lead the team into the playoffs.

Danville, California, United States

• January 16, 2009: Chesley B. Sullenberger III was awarded the keys to city of his hometown, Danville, California, for his actions in saving US Airways Flight 1549.^[28]

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

• 2008: Alexander Ovechkin^[29], received the key of the city in honor of being the first player in NHL history to receive the most valuable player, outstanding player, top scorer, and goal scoring leader awards in the same season.

Miami, Florida, United States

• 2004: The mayors of Miami-Dade County and the city officially welcomed Shaquille O'Neal and presented him with the keys to the city before a press conference was held in the American Airlines Arena.
• August 19, 2009: Miami Commissioner Thomas Regalado presented Armando Perez (aka Pitbull) with the key to the city during a morning ceremony.

Franklin Springs, Georgia, United States

• 2007: Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue received the key to the city of Franklin Springs, Georgia, after visiting the city and cutting the ribbon to the city's new Public Safety and City Hall buildings; the original buildings were destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan.

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 1 as "Commissioning Day" in honor of their achievements.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• December 30, 1871 Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia received the "Freedom of the City of Chicago" ^[30]

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

• November 21, 2006: Kentucky-New Orleans Architecture Studio, for its work on restoration and re-design efforts of Mickey Markey Park in Bywater.^[31]
• April 26, 2007: The Harris County Hospital District, in recognition of its efforts to provide health care to Hurricane Katrina evacuees at its Astrodome Clinic in September 2005.^[32]

Portland, Maine, United States

• July 13, 2008: moe., a band from upstate New York, was presented the key to the city in recognition of a two day fundraising concert they organized for the Prebble Street Resource Center[8].

Albion, Michigan, United States

• Recipients include:
  • January 25, 1964: Aunt Jemima, a frequent visitor, present at the time to raise money for the March of Dimes.^[33]
  • 1960s: Ann Landers, upon her visit to Starr Commonwealth for Boys.^[33]

Detroit, Michigan, United States

• Recipients include:
  • 1980: Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was awarded by Mayor Coleman Young for having donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a local church.^[34][35]
  • January 31, 2006: Detroit native Jerome Bettis was awarded by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick days before his Super Bowl win.
  • On January 2, 2007 Steve Yzerman after his retirement and having his jersey retired.
  • Geri Allen an internationally known award-winning composer and pianist. [9]

Flint, Michigan, United States

• 1989: Lois M. Craig^[36]
• June 10, 2007: American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones received a proclamation and key to the city from Mayor Don Williamson.^[37]

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:
  • 1702: Viscount Cornbury on June 27 was presented the "Freedom of the City". [10]
  • Andrew Hamilton (lawyer) received the "Freedom of the City" for his defense of John Peter Zenger.
  • Charles Lindbergh^[38]
  • February 5, 2008: The New York Giants players, coaches and owners received keys to the city in recognition of their victory at Super Bowl XLII. Presentation took place at City Hall after a ticker-tape parade up the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
  • February 9, 2009: Chesley B. Sullenberger III, pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 departing from LaGuardia Airport, who safely landed in the Hudson River after mid-air faults from a bird collision, saving the lives of all 155 people on board. The First Officer of the Flight, Jeffrey B. Skiles, flight attendants Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh and Donna Dent also received keys to the city.^[39]
  • May 8, 2009: Captain Richard Phillips and crewman William Rios received keys to the city in recognition of their heroism aboard the Maersk Alabama during the 2009 hijacking by Somali Pirates.^[40][41]
  • November 6, 2009: The New York Yankees players, coaches and owners received keys to the city in recognition of their 2009 World Series victory.

Mount Vernon, Washington, United States

• On September 26, Bud Norris, the mayor of Mount Vernon, Washington, gave the "Key to the City" to the popular Conservative talk show and radio show host Glenn Beck.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Guild of Freemen of the City of London
• City of London's Freedom of the City
• http://www.freemenofyork.org
• Military Context of "Freedom of the City"(broken link)
• Royal Engineers Museum Freedoms granted to the Royal Engineers
• Freemen of the City of Liverpool
• What Can You Open With a Key to the City? Capt. Sully Sullenberger just got a key to New York. Can I call him if I lock myself out? By Juliet Lapidos. SLATE. Feb. 10, 2009.