Freedom
ceremonies take place in the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall
and are usually conducted by the Clerk of the Court or his
Assistant. Freemen, their nominators and guests are escorted
to the Court by the Beadle, who wears the traditional top hat
and tails. The Clerk of the Court wears a silk gown, and if
the Chamberlain performs the ceremony, he wears the
traditional ermine-trimmed gown.
The prospective Freeman is invited to read the
'
Declaration of a Freeman', and to sign the Freeman's
Declaration Book. The Copy of the Freedom - a parchment document
with the name of the recipient beautifully inscribed in a special
ink - is presented by the Clerk, together with a copy of the 'Rules
for the Conduct of Life' which date from the mid-18th century.
After the ceremony there is time for informal
questions, the opportunity to view interesting items such as the
Honorary Freedom documents of historic figures and to take
photographs.