Saturday, September 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
London charity stunt harks back to days of "freemen"
Being a freeman of the City of London used to mean strolling around with your sword unsheathed, getting as drunk as you liked and driving your sheep across London Bridge for free.
The Associated Press
LONDON — Being a freeman of the City of London used to mean strolling around with your sword unsheathed, getting as drunk as you liked and driving your sheep across London Bridge for free.
But while the first two privileges have long since lapsed, on Friday the city's freemen reasserted their sheep-driving rights before a crowd of bemused onlookers.
A flock of Romney ewes crossed the concrete bridge to the sound of drums as the financial center's lord mayor, David Lewis, led the way.
Theresa Lewis, the mayor's wife, said she hoped the stunt — being put on to raise money for charity — would boost the morale of London workers grappling with the economic crisis.
"Hopefully it is a bit for fun for business people to see, whose day may not be full of happiness at the moment," she said.
The tradition of freemen — people who enjoy civil or political liberty — stretches back to the Middle Ages, when the inhabitants of towns and cities would be granted lucrative trading rights and other privileges.
In the City of London, the small area which now makes up the British capital's financial district, those included exemptions from bridge-crossing tolls, the right to bear a naked blade and to get escorted home when intoxicated.
Murray Craig, the man now in charge of granting and managing the freedom of the city, said the privileges have "fallen into abeyance."
He said the freedoms are awarded to about 1,700 people annually. However with banks and stock markets having replaced the City of London's butchers and slaughterhouses, sheep crossings at London Bridge are extremely rare.
Some privileges apparently deserve to remain in abeyance. As for carrying an unsheathed sword in a city unnerved by a spate of stabbings, Craig advised freemen against it.
"Oh God no!" he exclaimed. "With all this knife crime, that would be terrible."
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 11:03 AM
US official: India attack may have Pakistani roots
Governors to give Obama a wish list
Obama: "New dawn" of leadership
Panel: Bio attack likely in next 5 years
UPDATE - 11:50 AM
US soldiers re-enlisting because of poor economy

The Library with Deborah Jacobs
Librarian Deborah Jacobs tells us why libraries make the world a better place.
This feature requires Flash 7.
Top video | World | Science / Tech | Entertainment
entertainment

events for Tuesday, Dec. 2nd
- From the Home Front and the Front... (Community)
- Sex Drive (Movie)
- Providence O'Christmas Trees Tour (Seasonal)
editors' picks
More shopping guides- JPMorgan cutting 3,400 Seattle jobs
- WaMu to lay off 3,400 in Seattle; bank to empty most of its leased space downtown
- College Football | With UW, Pat Hill says he had "great" talk
- Wal-Mart worker trampled to death by frenzied Black Friday shoppers
- Boy's archery death accidental, coroner says
- Star Times | Football: Offense
- Bush: `I'm sorry' the economic crisis is occurring
- Cougar fans nip at request for Husky Stadium funds
- Obama taps Clinton, Gates for US 'new dawn' abroad
- 2 homeless women back on their feet for Seattle Marathon
- JPMorgan cutting 3,400 Seattle jobs
- WaMu to lay off 3,400 in Seattle; bank to empty most of its leased space downtown
- Canada's oil-sands boom creates vast riches and a dirty footprint
- Meteorologist Cliff Mass examines Pacific Northwest weather in his new book
- UW uses artwork to help sharpen visual skills of future doctors
- Wal-Mart worker trampled to death by frenzied Black Friday shoppers
- Recycling fees may rise as demand, prices drop
- Gregoire looking at massive state budget cuts
- 2 homeless women back on their feet for Seattle Marathon
- Small office / Home office | An easy, inexpensive way to share your files online



