The Suffolk Regiment receiving
Freedom of the Borough 1944

The East Anglian Regiment receiving
Freedom of the Borough 1963

The official Freedom of the Borough Scroll presented to
James Ronald Hartley
Click here for a larger image (172K)

Before the year 1835 Freemen existed in many Boroughs as a constituent part of the Corporation. Freemen enjoyed special rights, dependent on local customs, such as rights of pasturage on corporate land and exemptions from certain tolls and dues.

In Bury St Edmunds, a bye-law was passed in 1607 which showed that only those who were Freemen of the Borough were entitled to set up in business. Throughout the 17th century and into the 18th century it remained the case that the Freedom was an essential requirement for any sort of trader in the town. As the 18th century wore on, fewer men were admitted to the Freedom. By about 1800, only those people who had ambitions to join the Corporation sought the Freedom. Attorneys who wished to practice in the Borough Courts still needed to be Freemen.

Since the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 Borough Councils have continued to be given the power to appoint Freemen but the law has gradually reduced the privileges associated with that office.

The Local Government Act, 1972, introduced the major change in powers and structures of local authorities which instituted St Edmundsbury Borough Council in 1974, and continued this power. Borough Councils can admit to be Honorary Freemen of the Borough persons of distinction, and persons who have rendered eminent services to the Borough. This is usually carried out at a specially convened meeting of the whole Council, with all due ceremony, and an illuminated scroll is usually presented to the recipient.

In the situation where a regiment or RAF station is admitted as a Freeman, tradition also allows the military unit to parade in the town with fixed bayonets, regimental band playing, and colours flying.

"The Freedom" is the highest tribute that a Borough can bestow, and although in modern times it is an honour only and confers no legal rights, Honorary Freemen are invariably invited to take part in all important ceremonial occasions in the Borough.