The Gild of Freemen of the City of York

Freemen through the ages

To understand the significance of Freemen and how they came into being, one must look back to the earliest developments of trade and community life. Merchants and traders tended to move in groups and were, in effect, Free Men. Naturally they made for centres of population to dispose of their goods and to obtain protection. Their presence helped to increase the size of towns and their markets. In England the words 'Freemen' and 'gild' (the centuries old spelling) have their greatest meaning when used in their medieval context. It is from this period that the York Freemens Rolls date - 1272. But we do find mention of these things in Anglo-Saxon charters and laws.

Privilege

Medieval cities were largely self-governing, a right which was bought from the King in the form of a charter. The first Royal Charter given to York was some time between 1155 and 1162. This charter was negotiated by the Freemen of York. At this time the Freemen were the only people allowed to trade in the city. A man had to be a Freeman before he could join one of the craft guilds. Freemen were also the only people able to hold office, or to vote. They owned the city's strays and regulated rights of pasture.

Responsibility

But such privilege did imply great responsibility. Freemen administered both civil and criminal justice, kept the guilds in order, supervised the training of apprentices and the quality of goods. They kept the streets clean, maintained the city walls, roads and bridges, built schools and provided troops for the King. The Freemen governed the city for centuries until in 1835, with the Municipal Corporations Act, control passed into the hands of the town council.

Freemen today

Throughout the ages Freemen formed guilds in order to be able to act together in the interests of their cities, other Freemen, and their families. It was also seen as important to meet to consider changes in law and how these related to Freemen and their customs.

This watchfulness was important in preserving the rights of Freemen throughout the country in the face of the 1972 Local Government Act and also the York City Bill of 1985, both of which tried, in different ways, to extinguish the rights of Freemen. The Gild of Freemen today still continues to take an active interest in the affairs of the City, and to work for the continued presence of Freemen in the City. It also cares for its members and has links with guilds in other cities such as London, Coventry and Chester. It has close links with the City of York, with the Lord Mayor being its President during his or her term of office, and raises funds for the Lord Mayor's Charities and a charity chosen by the guild Master.

Each year new Freemen are admitted (through birthright) and last year saw over 130 new Freemen admitted, each taking an oath which has remained unchanged for over 600 years.

In 1984 the guild took over the recently restored Common Hall of the Vicars Choral in Bedern and it is from this base that the guild will continue to be involved in, and to care for, the city which its forefathers founded.

For more information please visit www.freemenofyork.org.