What does it mean to be granted "freedom of the city" or "the keys to the city"?

[mkjuk]

What priveleges are involved?

Please help

[crete]

allowed to use public toilets for free honest.

[mattie]

Traditionally, you can drink in every public house for free.
Whether anyone bothers is another matter.

[Postdog]

I think you have the right to drive sheep and cattle thru the streets in some places.

[trevHCS]

If you get the Freedom of the City of London you can legally drive sheep across London Bridge....erm, has anyone in London actually seen a sheep...? ;-)

One big advantage used to be that you were a free person as in not subject to the will of the local lord of the manor, and thus you were allowed to own lands and property which was quite a privillage back in 1237 when the Freedom of London began.

There are essentially no real privillages these days although it depends on each city involved. A few resources are listed below:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_Ci ty
- http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/lei sure_heritage/freedom_of_city/
- http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/AboutGlasgow/Free domoftheCity/

Trev

[crilly2k]

U2 got the keys of dublin city so cause its an old tradition they are allowed to graze sheep on st stephen green in the heart of dublin,so they bought a sheep and let him eat in the park, i don't know if the sheep is still there

[chasbo]

I'm a Freeman of the City of Coventry. This was given to me as I did my 6 year apprenticship within 5 miles of the city centre.
I believe I'm still able to graze my sheep on common land, but have not tried it !!! There are various loans available to start your own business, although I don't know the details

[grahamwilson]

How do you honor some one by giving them the freedom of the town or keys to the town