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Suits (season 7)
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Suits (season 7)
Starring
Gabriel Macht
Patrick J. Adams
Rick Hoffman
Meghan Markle
Sarah Rafferty
Gina Torres
Country of origin
United States
No. of episodes
10[1]
Release
Original network
USA Network
Original release
July 12, 2017 (2017-07-12) – present
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 6
List of Suits episodes
The seventh season of the American legal drama Suits was ordered on August 3, 2016,[1] and started airing on USA Network in the United States July 12, 2017. The season has five series regulars playing employees at the fictional Pearson Specter Litt law firm in Manhattan: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Meghan Markle, and Sarah Rafferty. Gina Torres is credited as the sixth regular only for the episodes that she appears in, following her departure last season.[2]
The season featured the 100th episode of the series, which was directed by Patrick J. Adams and aired August 30, 2017.[3] To celebrate the series' milestone, the main cast (including Gina Torres) and creator Aaron Korsh came together at ATX Television Festival for a live read-through of the series' pilot script. They were joined by Abigail Spencer and Nick Wechsler to read for the episode's guest stars.[4]
Contents
[hide]
1 Cast
1.1 Regular cast
1.2 Recurring cast
1.3 Notes
2 Episodes
3 Ratings
4 References
5 External links
Cast[edit]
Main article: List of Suits characters
Regular cast[edit]
Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter
Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross
Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane
Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen
Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson[a]
Recurring cast[edit]
Christina Cole as Dr. Paula Agard
Aloma Wright as Gretchen Bodinski
Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Oliver Grady
Peter Cambor as Nathan
Amanda Schull as Katrina Bennett[5]
Dulé Hill as Alex Williams[5]
Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane[5]
Jake Epstein as Brian Altman
Paul Schulze as Frank Gallo
Ray Proscia as Dr. Lipschitz
Al Sapienza as Thomas Bratton
Jay Harrington as Mark Meadows
Zoe McLellan as Holly Cromwell
Notes[edit]
Jump up ^ Gina Torres is credited as a regular cast member for the episodes she appears in, following her departure last season.
Episodes[edit]
See also: List of Suits episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)
93
1 "Skin in the Game" Silver Tree Aaron Korsh July 12, 2017 (2017-07-12) 1.40[6]
Following his breakup with Tara, Louis starts terrorizing the associates. His behavior raises red flags with Rachel, Donna, and Gretchen. Donna has figured out that what she wants is a seat at the table as senior partner. She uses the situation with Louis to prove to Harvey that she deserves it after all these years of being a key person in running the firm without getting the credit. Harvey agrees to name her senior partner but has to tiptoe around telling Louis. After Rachel convinces Louis that he needs closure with Tara, he allows Rachel, now a lawyer as well, to step up and take over the associates from him. Meanwhile, Mike and Harvey team up again to prove to one of Jessica's clients that the firm can handle his case now that Jessica is gone. Harvey has a hard time filling Jessica's shoes and reconnects with his former therapist, Dr. Paula Agard, to pursue a romantic relationship. Mike gives the legal clinic half a million dollars, but his returning to PSL doesn't sit well with his former colleagues, especially Oliver.
94
2 "The Statue" Michael Smith Genevieve Sparling July 19, 2017 (2017-07-19) 1.36[7]
Harvey and Paula agree to get to know one another better. Drawing inspiration from Jessica herself to mark the change of leadership, Harvey decides to drop her oldest client while eyeing an important client from Alex Williams, a lawyer from his past. However, Alex is only willing to transfer said client if he is made name partner at Pearson Spector Litt, which Louis and Donna oppose. Louis is terrified to lose his fragile friendship with Harvey if Alex comes to the firm, so he tries to poach the client behind Alex's back. Harvey goes to meet with Jessica to get her on his side but the meeting results in a fight. Meanwhile, Mike's pro bono case hits a snag when the opposing lawyer uses Mike's past to prejudice the judge. Katrina tells Harvey that his promoting Donna to senior partner has changed what it means to be named a partner inside and outside the firm, leading to Harvey undoing Donna's promotion. He instead names her COO while agreeing that she gets to have a vote inside the firm. Harvey also denies Alex name partner but offers him senior partner, which Alex accepts. Jessica and Harvey make up and she confirms that he's ready to take the lead.
95
3 "Mudmare" Maurice Marable Sharyn Rothstein July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) 1.41[8]
Louis has a nightmare about taking a mudbath with Harvey in the other tub, only to have Alex join them and claim that he and Harvey take a mudbath all the time. After a discussion with his therapist, Louis agrees to try and be friends with Alex rather than possibly lose Harvey as a friend, but it seems to backfire. Rachel deals with a fourth-year associate who repeatedly hands off menial procedural work to first-year employees. When Rachel confronts her, Donna steps in, undermining Rachel's authority in front of all the other associates. After an argument, both Rachel and Donna admit they have a lot to learn about their new positions in the company. Rachel concedes she needs to focus on becoming a great lawyer more than being a supervisor. Mike takes a pro bono case concerning the wrongful death of a prisoner, only to find out there's a conflict of interest because the parent company that built and runs the prison is one of Alex's clients. Mike hands off the case to Oliver, who reluctantly takes it after Mike tells him how the incident hits close to home. Elsewhere, Harvey's relationship with Dr. Agard hits a snag.
96
4 "Divide and Conquer" Anton Cropper Daniel Arkin August 2, 2017 (2017-08-02) 1.41[9]
Rachel’s father questions if she and Mike can make time for the wedding and a marriage, as they both are busy with their careers. As Louis finds it difficult to get over Tara, Donna tries to manage the situation. Harvey meets Jessica for help with the fiasco at work, and Mike finds it difficult not to help Oliver after signing the agreement to stay away from the prison case. While Louis and Alex get on better terms, Bratton Gould is trying to poach PSL clients as someone seems to be leaking inside information. As a solution, Harvey tries to convince Zane to agree to a fake merger. Alex proves himself to be loyal to PSL, and puts himself at risk to stop Tommy Bratton from coming after PSL clients. Mike and Rachel finally decide to set a date for their wedding, but set it far enough in the future to avoid stress. Harvey learns it was Jessica who leaked the information, and he understands that she did so to unite PSL in a time of crisis. Rachel and her father have a heart to heart conversation for the first time in a long while.
97
5 "Brooklyn Housing" Roger Kumble Marshall Knight & Rob LaMorgese August 9, 2017 (2017-08-09) 1.29[10]
While Mike agrees to work for the clinic on the prison case under the cover of Brooklyn Housing, Harvey suggests that Paula take Louis as her lawyer for her lawsuit with Jacob, her ex. Paula admits her professional agreement with Jacob and their partnership; that she had violated the terms of contract. Donna gets a hint that Harvey is hiding something from her. Harvey tries to get Mike’s help regarding a case and Mike’s absence makes him distressed. Holly Cromwell demands a job at PSL and Donna disagrees with Harvey’s decision. The return of Frank Gallo seems to stir things up for the future. As Mike tries to extract information from Gallo about the prison rewarding him for starting fights, he demands that Mike get him an early parole. Louis clears things with Dr. Lipschitz and wins Dr. Agard’s case. Elsewhere, Rachel discovers Mike is still working the prison case, and warns him about the agreement. Nathan at the clinic also deduces that Mike is helping Oliver.
98
6 "Home to Roost" Valerie Weiss Sandra Silverstein August 16, 2017 (2017-08-16) 1.47[11]
Mike and Oliver visit Frank Gallo, who tips them off to a prosecutor who was going to bring a similar case involving him, but was forced to drop it. Rachel later has to lie to Harvey to cover for where Mike is that day, making her furious. Harvey finds out anyway when Gallo calls Donna, saying Harvey and Mike had better not try to screw him this time. Meanwhile, Louis is hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit from Stephanie, the fourth-year associate whom Donna fired. Katrina tries to help by visiting Stephanie, who is a former colleague, but it still results in Louis needing to admit guilt. Louis eventually apologizes to Stephanie, telling her about losing his chance to be a father, only to find out his words also hit close to home with her. Elsewhere, Harvey tells Donna about dating Paula. Donna tells him she already knew, but later admits to Rachel that she didn't know, making her think she's slipping. The pre-trial for the prison case goes sour when Alex shows up in court and calls out Mike, who is sitting in the back to support Oliver, forcing Mike to admit he violated conflict of interest and causing the case to be thrown out. Harvey appears to take Alex's side in a fight with Mike, but later visits Alex and demands, "Tell me what's really going on."
99
7 "Full Disclosure" Cherie Nowlan Ethan Drogin August 23, 2017 (2017-08-23) 1.35[12]
In flashbacks to the Pearson Hardman days, it's revealed how Alex arranged for himself and Harvey to get junior partner positions at Bratton Gould, following Harvey's displeasure over Hardman promoting Louis to junior partner ahead of himself. Alex assures Tommy Bratton that Harvey's arrival is a "done deal", but Jessica ultimately convinces Harvey to stay, causing problems for Alex. Harvey apologizes to Alex, and promises a favor if he ever needs it. Alex is given mostly grunt work and unwinnable cases for several years, and his only way back in is to become part of an unholy alliance between Bratton, Masterson Construction and Reform Corp. – an alliance that Mike has just discovered in the present day. Mike tries to get Anita Gibbs to take over the Masterson case as a criminal matter, now that the civil case has been dropped, but Gibbs sees too many conflicts. Also in the past, it is revealed that Jessica was the one who insisted that Louis start seeing Dr. Lipschitz for therapy, while Donna breaks up with Mark (guest star Jay Harrington), her boyfriend of six months, when it becomes clear she will follow Harvey wherever he goes. In the present, Alex reveals all to Mike, including how his life could be in danger if Masterson is prosecuted, while Harvey reveals the same to Donna.
100
8 "100" Patrick J. Adams Rick Muirragui August 30, 2017 (2017-08-30) 1.51[13]
Harvey asks Robert Zane to take over the prison case, but Zane will only agree if Harvey lets him try the case his own way. It is later discovered that Frank Gallo has been killed, but not before Zane records a damning video confession from Gallo. Harvey accuses a rep from Reform Corp. of putting a hit on Gallo. While denying involvement, the rep agrees to sign a document revealing the alliance with Tommy Bratton. Harvey uses this to get Bratton to sign a document taking full responsibility and absolving Alex of any wrongdoing. Donna reconnects with her old boyfriend Mark, and is taken aback when Mark invites her to his hotel room even though he is currently married. Elsewhere, Louis wonders why Gretchen is steering him away from recruiting associates out of Columbia Law. He later learns that it's because Sheila Sasz is now working in their placement department. Sheila reveals she is engaged to another man, but invites Louis to a hotel room for one last fling. While Donna backs away at Mark's door, Louis enters Sheila's room.
101
9 "Shame" Silver Tree Sharyn Rothstein September 6, 2017 (2017-09-06) 1.64[14]
Feeling shame and guilt following a night of passion with Sheila, Louis throws himself into a case with his associate Brian, while simultaneously avoiding an appointment with Dr. Lipschitz. When Louis finally meets with Lipschitz, he explains his actions by saying that Sheila, not Tara, is his one true love. Mike meanwhile suggests that Harvey reestablish his strength by taking on a prosecutor who is making waves prosecuting Wall Street corruption and winning every case. After finding a client to defend, Harvey learns that the prosecutor, Andy Malick (Usman Ally), once worked with him in the Manhattan DA's office. Harvey does not remember Andy, but Andy definitely remembers Harvey as being Cameron Dennis' pet employee. Donna is drawn into the case as well, being the only other person aware of the shady things that went on under Cameron's leadership. Elsewhere, Rachel goes after predatory lenders in a pro bono case with her father, later learning that the case is deeply personal for Robert.
102
10 "Donna" Michael Smith Genevieve Sparling September 13, 2017 (2017-09-13) 1.68[15]
Louis finds a way to get Donna off the hook with Malick by citing that everything she and Harvey worked on under Cameron Dennis is work product and therefore privileged information. At the pre-trial hearing, Mike and Harvey successfully prevent Malick from using that information, but Malick surprises them by questioning Donna about the documents she shredded in the Coastal Motors case. Unprepared and under oath, Donna admits to doing so, but says she acted alone and not under Harvey's direction. Donna later finds that Malick got the Coastal Motors information from Holly, but Holly will not take the stand. Mike and Harvey are able to prove that Malick manufactured evidence, offering to ignore it in exchange for Malick dropping the case against their client. Elsewhere, Rachel and Robert Zane continue their case against the bank executive who abused Robert's sister. Robert almost ruins the case by letting his emotions take over, but Rachel finds another path they can take to win the case and get the executive fired. Louis helps Alex when the other half of Bratton Gould tries to poach a huge client. Malick returns with a new angle to get back at Harvey: he intends to get Jessica disbarred for knowing about Mike's fraud and covering it up. Jessica arrives at Harvey's home and says that she is okay with the consequences. Harvey insists that he will fight for her, but she urges him to let it go and remove her name from the wall. Louis helps Donna realize that she should fight for the one she loves, by relaying his own regrets over Sheila. When Harvey comes to talk to Donna, she stuns him with a long kiss.
Ratings[edit]
No.
Title
Air date
Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Skin in the Game" July 12, 2017 0.4 1.40[6] 0.4 1.31 0.8 2.71[16]
2 "The Statue" July 19, 2017 0.4 1.36[7] N/A 1.27 N/A 2.63[17]
3 "Mudmare" July 26, 2017 0.3 1.41[8] N/A N/A N/A N/A
4 "Divide and Conquer" August 02, 2017 0.4 1.41[9] 0.4 1.38 0.8 2.79[18]
5 "Brooklyn Housing" August 09, 2017 0.3 1.29[10] 0.5 1.54 0.8 2.83[19]
6 "Home to Roost" August 16, 2017 0.4 1.47[11] 0.4 1.27 0.8 2.73[20]
7 "Full Disclosure" August 23, 2017 0.4 1.35[12] 0.4 1.52 0.8 2.87[21]
8 "100" August 30, 2017 0.4 1.51[13] 0.3 1.34 0.7 2.85[22]
9 "Shame" September 6, 2017 0.4 1.64[14] TBD TBD TBD TBD
10 "Donna" September 13, 2017 0.5 1.68[15] TBD TBD TBD TBD
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 3, 2016). "'Suits' Renewed For Season 7 By USA Network – TCA". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
Jump up ^ SHATTUCK, KATHRYN (September 15, 2016). "Gina Torres on Why She Decided to Leave ‘Suits’". nytimes.com. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
Jump up ^ Arop, Nirat (April 11, 2017). "USA Network Reveals Summer Programming Premiere Dates". Spoilertv.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
Jump up ^ HELDMAN, BREANNE L. (June 11, 2017). "Suits celebrates 100 episodes with a royal good time". ew.com. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
^ Jump up to: a b c Gelman, Vlada (July 12, 2017). "Suits Boss on Harvey's Surprising New Romance and Donna's Career Twist". TVLine.com. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 13, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 7.12.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 20, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 7.19.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (July 27, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 7.26.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 3, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 8.2.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 10, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 8.9.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 17, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 8.16.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 24, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 8.23.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 31, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 8.30.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (September 7, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finales 9.6.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Metcalf, Mitch (September 15, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.13.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (July 26, 2017). "'Game of Thrones,' 'Nashville' and 'Orphan Black' lead the cable Live +7 ratings for July 10-16". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (August 3, 2017). "'Game of Thrones,' 'Descendants 2' make big gains in cable Live +7 ratings for July 17-23". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (August 17, 2017). "'The Sinner' premiere triples in cable Live +7 ratings for July 31-Aug. 6". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (August 24, 2017). "'Nashville,' 'Orphan Black' finales score in cable Live +7 ratings for Aug. 7-13". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (August 30, 2017). "'The Sinner' makes more strong gains in cable Live +7 ratings for Aug. 14-20". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (September 7, 2017). "'Game of Thrones' finale reaches all-time highs: Cable Live +7 ratings for Aug. 21-27". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (September 17, 2017). "'The Sinner' scores big in cable Live +7 ratings for Aug. 28-Sept. 3". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
External links[edit]
Official website
List of Suits episodes on IMDb
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Freedom of the City
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
For the Northern Irish play, see The Freedom of the City. For the role-playing game campaign setting, see Freedom City.
"Key to the City" redirects here. For other meanings of the term, see Key to the City (disambiguation).
Award to Robert Hadfield by the City of Sheffield
Gold New York City 'Freedom of the City Box' presented to Commodore Daniel Patterson, made by Jonathan Wilmarth, John L. Moffat, and Joseph Curtis, 1832
"Ferdinand Receives the Keys of the City from the Virgin of Ghent", print after a painting made by Antoon van den Heuvel for the Joyous Entry by the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand into Ghent in 1635
The Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom, the tradition still lives on in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand – although today the title of "freeman" confers no special privileges. The Freedom of the City can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city's trust; in this context, it is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry. This allows them the freedom to parade through the city, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry.
The honour was sometimes accompanied by a "freedom box", a small gold box inscribed to record the occasion; these are not usual today. In some countries, such as the United States, esteemed residents and visitors may instead be presented with the Key to the City, a similarly symbolic honour. Other US cities award Honorary Citizenship, with just a certificate.
Contents
1 Military privilege
2 Entitlement to civil privileges
2.1 United Kingdom
2.1.1 Freedom of the City of London
2.1.2 Freedom of the City of York
2.2 Ireland
3 Key to the city
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Military privilege[edit]
Members of No. 28 Squadron RAAF marching through the centre of Canberra during the unit's Freedom of the City parade in August 2013
Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed".[1]
This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded the "pomerium", the boundary of the city, as sacred. Promagistrates and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their imperium immediately upon crossing it. An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only. Under the Republic, soldiers also lost their status when entering, becoming citizens: thus soldiers at their general's triumph wore civilian dress. Weapons were also banned inside the pomerium for religious and traditional reasons. (The assassination of Julius Caesar occurred outside this boundary.)
Similar laws were passed by other European cities throughout the Medieval era, to protect public security and civic rights, even against their own king's troops. As a result, soldiers would be forced to camp outside the walls of the city during the winter months. The Freedom of the City was an honour granted only to troops which had earned the trust of the local populace, either through some valiant action or simply by being a familiar presence.[1]
Today, martial freedom of the city is an entirely ceremonial honour, usually bestowed upon a unit with historic ties to the area, as a token of appreciation for their long and dedicated service. The awarding of the Freedom is often accompanied by a celebratory parade through the city.
Entitlement to civil privileges[edit]
A slightly more common freedom of the city is connected to the medieval concept of "free status", when city and town charters drew a distinction between freemen and vassals of a feudal lord. As such, freemen actually pre-date 'boroughs'. Early freedom of the boroughs ceremonies had great importance in affirming that the recipient enjoyed privileges such as the right to trade and own property, and protection within the town.
In modern society, the award of honorary freedom of the city or borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many towns and cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the city wishes to bestow an honour.
United Kingdom[edit]
A recipient of Freedom of the City of London, Nigel Cumberland, after his ceremony
Before parliamentary reform in 1832, freedom of the city or town conferred the right to vote in the 'parliamentary boroughs' for the MPs. Until the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 the freemen were the exclusive electorate for some of the boroughs. These two acts together curtailed the power of the freemen and extended the franchise to all 'householders' (defined as local rate payers; in fact therefore property owners). The private property belonging to the freemen collectively was retained. The freemen of York, Oxford and Newcastle upon Tyne still own considerable areas within their towns, although the income is effectively given to support charitable objects. The Local Government Act 1972 specifically preserved freemen's rights.[2] The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 removed any restrictions entitling only men to be freemen.[3]
Today, the grant of honorary freedom in the United Kingdom is governed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009). The 1972 Act enabled the councils of cities, royal boroughs, boroughs, and parishes (or, in Wales, communities) with the status of a royal town to confer the status of honorary freeman on "persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the council, rendered eminent services" to the local area.[4] The 2009 Act extends the ability to grant the status of honorary freeman to any county, city, district, borough, town, parish or community council (so removing the requirement for the town to have 'royal' status, and also enabling county councils to confer the honour).[5] A special meeting of the council can grant the honour by passing a resolution with a two-thirds majority at a specially convened meeting.
The exact qualifications for borough freedom differ between each city or town, but generally fall into two categories, 'patrimony' (inheritance) and 'servitude' (apprenticeship). For example, in Chester, only the children or grandchildren of freemen may apply for admission. In York, this extends to great- and great-great-grandchildren, and apprenticeship to a freeman of the city will also allow admission.[6] In Great Grimsby, the widow of a freeman passes his rights to her second husband, who retains the privilege after either divorce from or death of the widow. The borough freedom is strongest in York, Chester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coventry; in Coventry, freedom is qualified by having served an apprenticeship. Durham and Northampton have extended their admission criteria to those who have served an apprenticeship without being 'bound' (trained) by a freeman directly. Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne are bestowed the right to graze cattle on the town moor.[7]
Freedom of the City of London[edit]
Lord Nelson's certificate given him after becoming a Freeman of the City of London showing that he has Freedom
Ari Norman's Certificate of Freedom of the City of London
Sir Tim Berners-Lee receiving the freedom of the City of London in 2014
In England, the most established borough freedom is that conferred by the Freedom of the City of London, first recorded in 1237. This is closely tied to the role and status of the livery companies. From 1835, the freedom "without the intervention of a Livery Company" has been bestowed by a general resolution of Common Council, by "redemption" (purchase), at one time for an onerous sum, but now for a donation to the Freemen's School.[8]
New freemen are enrolled in a ceremony in Guildhall, when they receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion and an impressive sealed certificate. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London Freemen's School. There are a number of rights traditionally but apocryphally associated with freemen—the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge; to a silken rope, if hanged; to carry a naked sword in public; or that if the City of London Police finds a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him or her into a taxi and send them home rather than throw them into a cell. While sheep have occasionally been driven over London Bridge on special occasions, the rest of these "privileges" are now effectively symbolic.
Mark Stephens with a sheep on London Bridge in 2009
The right to herd sheep and cattle across London's four bridges technically no longer applies, as there are no livestock markets in the city.[9] Nevertheless, this right has been exercised, or the city has granted permission, periodically in modern times:
On 19 August 1999, Jef Smith, a freeman of London walked two sheep over Tower Bridge to bring attention to the rights of older citizens.[9]
On 17 June 2006, a flock of about thirty sheep was driven across the Millennium Bridge to mark the start of London Architecture Week.[10]
On 31 August 2008, Amanda Cottrell, former High Sheriff of Kent, marched six rams across London Bridge to promote fundraising for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral and "a scheme backing local food production".[11]
On 17 September 2008, the Lord Mayor of London, David Lewis, and some 500 freemen drove a flock of Romney ewes in relay across London Bridge to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's charities (Orbis and Wellbeing of Women).[12]
On 7 April 2013, actor and presenter Stephen Fry drove Grace, a year-old lamb, over London Bridge for a documentary about becoming a freeman, Stephen Fry's Key To The City.[13][14]
By 2015, the driving of sheep across the bridge had become an annual event, organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen livery company.[15]
Freedom of the City of York[edit]
York has a long history of freemen dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with records dating back to 1272.[16] Freemen may claim their rights through patronage (as far back as their great-great-grandparent, there are records of women being admitted in York in medieval times, a right forgotten for a time until the late 1970s when the Gild carried out research and rediscovered it) or apprenticeship. Once 'sworn in', freemen can join the Gild (Archaic spelling used) of Freemen who continue to take an interest in the affairs of the city. New admissions are made every year (usually October) following an admission ceremony with the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall.
Ireland[edit]
This section is about Ireland. For Freedom awarded specifically in Dublin, see Freedom of the City of Dublin.
In Ireland, borough freedom of the city is generally given to noted foreign and national dignitaries and the list rarely exceeds a few dozen. As in the United Kingdom, the title generally comes with various ancient privileges – for instance, freemen of Dublin are allowed the right to vote in certain elections, bring goods for sale in the city without customs and the right to pasture sheep on common ground such as College Green and St. Stephen's Green.
Key to the city[edit]
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev received the Golden Key to the City of Madrid during his state visit to Spain in March 2009.
See also: List of Keys to the City in the United States and List of Keys to the City in Canada
For other uses, see Key to the City (disambiguation).
In some countries, such as the United States, an ornamental key – the "Key to the City" – is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others whom the city wishes to honour. This practice is a variation on the Freedom of the City tradition, and has a similar symbolic meaning; evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolises the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents.[17]
In some cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, the key to the city is given to the so-called "prince carnival (nl)" who leads the carnivals which take place the week prior to Septuagesima. The tradition is that the mayor steps down for this period and power is transferred to the prince carnival, who then returns the key at the end of Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras. Today, the handing over of the key is mostly symbolic and marks the start and end of the carnival.
In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, instead of a key, esteemed visitors receive a white cowboy hat and usually recite one of two oaths (one formal, the other more silly) to become honorary Calgarians.[18]
See also[edit]
List of Freedom of the City recipients (military)
Honorary citizenship
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b "1985 – 75th Anniversary Naval Service of Canada". Royal Canadian Navy. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
Jump up ^ Section 248 of Text of the Local Government Act 1972 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
Jump up ^ Sections 27 and 28 of the Text of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
Jump up ^ Text of the Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
Jump up ^ Text of the Section 249 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
Jump up ^ "The Gild of Freemen of the City of York". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
Jump up ^ "The Moor". The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Freedom of the City". City of London. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016.
^ Jump up to: a b "Protest Freeman herds sheep over Tower Bridge". BBC News. 19 August 1999. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
Jump up ^ "Sheep flock driven through city". BBC News. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
Jump up ^ "Sheep marched over London Bridge". BBC News. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
Jump up ^ "Sheep march over bridge for money". BBC News. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
Jump up ^ "Stephen Fry on Twitter". Twitter. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
Jump up ^ "Stephen Fry's Key To The City". ITV. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
Jump up ^ "Why are there sheep being herded across London Bridge?". ITV News.
Jump up ^ "Register of the Freemen of the City of York - British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk.
Jump up ^ "Key to the City of New York". New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
Jump up ^ "White Hat Ceremony". Visit Calgary. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012.
External links[edit]
Guild of Freemen of the City of London
Freedom of the City of London
The Gild of Freemen of the City of York
Freemen of the City of Liverpool
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freedom_of_the_City&oldid=847729718"
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