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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Giggs | March 2009 | January 2010 | Ryan Giggs press release |
| Nelson Mandela | September 2004 | 30 November 2005 | Former South African President Nelson Mandela |
| Sir Peter Maxwell Davies | August 2004 | November 2004 | Classical composer, Master of the Queen's Music |
| Royal Regiment of Fusiliers | 21 August 1974 | 26 April 1975 | Long-standing links between the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the former City of Salford |
| James Roberts | Not available | March 1973 | Director of civic welfare for 17 years |
| Charis Ursula Frankenburg | Not available | March 1973 | JP in Salford and service in field of health and social welfare |
| Sampson Goldstone | Not available | March 1973 | JP in Salford and services in industry and social welfare |
| D E P Norton | Not available | March 1973 | Eminent services to Salford in field of industry |
| J H Lester | Not available | March 1973 | Member of the city council for 35 years |
| Harry Calderwood | Not available | March 1973 | Member of the city council for 21 years |
| L S Lowry | Not available | March 1965 | World-famous artist |
| Abraham Williamson | October 1959 | January 1960 | Ex-Mayor, ex-tory leader and chairman of finance committee |
| John Rothwell | October 1959 | January 1960 | Ex-Mayor, ex-liberal leader and business tycoon |
| Edward Arthur Hardy | October 1959 | January 1960 | Alderman, leader of the city council and former MP |
| George Brown | October 1959 | January 1960 | Former superintendent of Hope Hospital |
| Lancashire Fusiliers | 3 September 1947 | 18 October 1947 | Long-standing links between the Lancashire Fusiliers and the former City of Salford |
| Rev Canon Peter Green | July 1944 | Not available | Rector of St Phillips, 1911 to 1951 |
| Alfred Willett | May 1935 | Not available | Moving spirit behind Salford poor children's holiday camp |
| Lord Colwyn | July 1933 | Not available | Industrial magnate who did a lot of charitable work |
| Frank Samuel Phillips | October 1923 | Not available | Alderman, leader of the city council for many years |
| David Lloyd George | July 1918 | October 1922 | Tribute to his leadership as Prime Minister during WW1 |
| Benn Wolfe Levy | January 1899 | Not available | Responsible for the David Lewis Recreation Ground |
| Benjamin Armitage | January 1899 | Not available | 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 3059 or emailing karen.finch@salford.gov.uk.
This page was last updated on 22 February 2013
