The 'freedom of the city of Salford'
One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today is the granting of the freedom of the city of Salford.
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'.
Today the 'freedom of the city' has no real privileges and is instead regarded as an honour or award to men or women of note who have lived or worked in the city, and who are proud to be a part of the city's history by becoming freemen.
Freemen of the city of Salford
| Name | Admitted | Presented | Comments |
| Nelson Mandela | press release | Presented on 30 November 2005 | |
| Sir Peter Maxwell Davies | Aug 2004 | Nov 2004 | Classical composer, Master of the Queen's Music |
| Royal Regiment of Fusiliers | 21st August 1974 | 26th April 1975 | Long-standing links between the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the former City of Salford |
| James Roberts | Mar 1973 | Director of civic welfare for 17 years | |
| Charis Ursula Frankenburg | Mar 1973 | JP in Salford and service in field of health & social welfare | |
| Sampson Goldstone | Mar 1973 | JP in Salford and services in industry and social welfare | |
| D E P Norton | Mar 1973 | Eminent services to Salford in field of industry | |
| J H Lester | Mar 1973 | Member of the city council for 35 years | |
| Harry Calderwood | Mar 1973 | Member of the city council for 21 years | |
| L S Lowry | Mar 1965 | World-famous artist | |
| Abraham Williamson | Oct 1959 | Jan 1960 | Ex Mayor, ex-tory leader and chairman of finance committee |
| John Rothwell | Oct 1959 | Jan 1960 | Ex Mayor, ex-liberal leader and business tycoon |
| Edward Arthur Hardy | Oct 1959 | Jan 1960 | Alderman, leader of the city council and former MP |
| George Brown | Oct 1959 | Jan 1960 | Former superintendent of Hope Hospital |
| Lancashire Fusiliers | 3 Sept 1947 | 18 October 1947 | Long-standing links between the Lancashire Fusiliers and the former City of Salford |
| Rev Canon Peter Green | Jul 1944 | Rector of St Phillips, 1911 to 1951 | |
| Alfred Willett | May 1935 | Moving spirit behind Salford poor children's holiday camp | |
| Lord Colwyn | Jul 1933 | Industrial magnate who did a lot of charitable work | |
| Frank Samuel Phillips | Oct 1923 | Alderman, leader of the city council for many years | |
| David Lloyd George | Jul 1918 | Oct 1922 | Tribute to his leadership as Prime Minister during WW1 |
| Benn Wolfe Levy | Jan 1899 | Responsible for the David Lewis Recreation Ground | |
| Benjamin Armitage | Jan 1899 | Cotton magnate with a fantastic record of social work |
Further information
A number of ancient privileges are usually associated with the Freedom - although they are more a product of collective memory than of documented evidence. For example freemen of the city of London have a right to herd sheep over London Bridge, to go about the city with a drawn sword, and if convicted of a capital offence, to be hung with a silken rope! Other advantages are said to have included the right to avoid being press-ganged, to be married in St Paul's Cathedral, buried in the city or to be drunk and disorderly without fear of arrest.
Scrolls presented to freemen of the city are displayed during civic history tours which are organised by the Mayor's Office. Details can be obtained by calling 0161-793 3064 or emailing cathy.pickup@salford.gov.uk.
This page was last updated on 07 November 2008
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