PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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Only a Freeman could trade within the Borough without the payment of tolls and dues and only a Freeman could vote for the Councillors, Aldermen, Mayor and Members of Parliament. The first man to be elected as a Freeman was Mr William Kethriche, the Town's first Mayor in 1439.
Nobody could be elected as a Freeman if they were not born in the Town. According to an Order of the Corporation made in 1474/75, the person was also required to be a member of the Borough Guild of Our Lady and St George. The eldest son of an existing Freeman or somebody who had served a seven year apprenticeship with a Freeman could be elected to join the ranks. Subject to the earlier conditions, it was possible to purchase a Freedom but it was also possible for the Corporation to award honorary Freedoms as well. List of the Freemen of the Borough of Plymouth in 1817..... The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 removed all of these privileges and the process passed in to history until in 1885 the Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act permitted Boroughs to confer that title on 'persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent services to the Borough'. This provision was re-enacted in section 259 of the Local Government Act 1933 and this is the authority for the election of such Honorary Freemen today. The first woman to hold this honour was Lady Nancy Astor. Since the amalgamation of the Three Towns in 1914 the following have been conferred with the title of Honorary Freeman of the City of Plymouth:
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