BE Offices PR & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Julie Tucker, has been awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of the time she gives to various City of London social impact and business improvement initiatives.
Described as “One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today,” the Freedom of the City of London “is believed to have been first presented in 1237.”
In medieval times the reasons for obtaining the Freedom of the City were more practical, namely, a right to trade, permitting a Guild or Livery member to carry out their trade or craft in the Square Mile.
The ancient ceremony remains as a living tradition and a unique part of London’s history to which many people who have lived or worked in the City have been proud to be admitted.
Julie was very honoured to be joined by former Lord Mayor, Vincent Keaveny CBE, as well as Common Councillor, Ian Bishop-Laggett. She was also joined by BE Offices colleagues, Marketing Director, Andy Issott and Director of Business Centres, Nick Gandy, as well as a couple of City friends and one of her (four) children.
Commenting on the event, Julie said: “I’m extraordinarily privileged and grateful to have received such an historic and special honour in a unique ceremony which has been conducted at the Guildhall for centuries. The whole experience was very special and an occasion which will stay with me forever.
I now look forward, according to ancient tradition, to ‘driving my sheep across London Bridge’ without paying the required bridge toll.”
Julie was nominated for her Freedom by Alderman Christopher Makin, Alderman of Aldersgate Ward in which BE Offices head office is situated. Her nomination was seconded by Common Councillor, Brendon Barnes of the Farringdon Within Ward. The City of London comprises 25 wards, each represented by an Alderman and a varying number of Common Councillors.
Up until 1996, the Freedom was open only to British or Commonwealth Citizens, but has since been extended globally and persons of any nationality may be admitted either through nomination or by being presented by a Livery Company.
Notable Freemen include Sir Winston Churchill, Admiral Nelson, Florence Nightingale, Eisenhower, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking and more recently the likes of Morgan Freeman, Harry Kane, Ian Wright and Ed Sheeran.
The medieval term ‘freeman’ meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free – hence the term ‘freedom’ of the City.
A fee or fine would be charged and in return the Livery Companies would ensure that the goods and services provided would be of the highest possible standards. In 1835, the Freedom was widened to incorporate not just members of Livery Companies but also people living or working in the City or those with a strong London connection.
