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Freedom of the City of London

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The Freedom of the City of London started around 1237 as the status of a 'free man' or 'citizen', protected by the charter of the City of London and not under the jurisdiction of a feudal lord.[1] In the Middle Ages, this developed into a freedom or right to trade, becoming closely linked to the medieval guilds, the livery companies. In 1835, eligibility for the freedom of the City was extended to anyone who lived in, worked in or had a strong connection to the City. The freedom that citizens enjoy has long associations with privileges in the governance of the City.[1]

Whilst no longer carrying many substantive rights and largely existing as a tradition, the freedom is a pre-requisite for standing for election to the Common Council[2] and Court of Aldermen[3] of the City of London. The Lord Mayor of the City must first become an alderman, and hence must also be a freeman.

There are multiple routes to gaining the freedom of the City of London.[4]

The original three routes to the freedom, via the livery companies, still exist. An individual can become a freeman of a livery company by servitude (apprenticeship), patrimony (either parent being a member of that livery company), or redemption (general admission, the criteria varying by livery company). Once a freeman of a livery company, an application can be made to the Chamberlain's Court for admission as a freeman of the City, which requires approval from Common Council.[4] It is necessary to become a freeman of the City to advance to the livery company status of 'liveryman', or to hold an office in a livery company. Liverymen have electoral rights in the City of London in voting for certain offices.

It is also possible to become a freeman of the City by nomination by two common councillors, aldermen or liverymen.

Similarly, due to freedom being a pre-requisite for standing for elected office in the City, it is possible for a prospective candidate to obtain freedom by nomination by any two electors.[1]

There is a long-standing tradition of the City admitting women to the freedom. Although they are now usually called freemen as well, historically the term was free sisters.[citation needed]

Freemen are admitted by the Clerk of the Chamberlain's Court during a ceremony at Guildhall.

Honorary Freedom

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Honorary Freedom of the City of London is a recognition of lifetime achievement or high international standing, and is much rarer than the broader freedom of the city.

The granting of the Honorary Freedom of the City of London (or Freedom Honoris Causa) is extremely rare and generally awarded today only to royalty, heads of state, or figures of genuine global standing. It is the greatest honour that is in the power of the City of London to bestow, and usually takes place in Guildhall in the presence of the Common Council and the lord mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen, along with invited guests.

For example, in 2013, after a gap of some eleven years, Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the Honorary Freedom of the City of London, with the ceremony taking place at Mansion House. In 1996, Nelson Mandela, as President of South Africa, received the same honour. The presentation on such occasions is made by the Chamberlain of the City of London and is often followed by a banquet at Guildhall or Mansion House. Historically, the first personage to be so honoured was William Pitt the Elder in 1757. However, there are also records of the presentation of such in May 1698 to Philemon Philip Carter, son of Nathaniel Carter (goldsmiths) in the "Freedom of the City Admission Papers" 1681–1930. For many years, it was the custom to present the Freedom in specially commissioned and unique gold or silver caskets, the design of which was inspired by the background and the achievements of the individual to which it was presented. More normal today would be to present the honour in the form of a scroll in an inscribed box.[citation needed]

A small number of sheep are herded across Southwark Bridge by the Lord Mayor and Yorkshire Shepherdess among others who are members of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, bestowed with freedom of the city, London 2021.

List of Freemen

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The mixed list below contains the names of some of the notable people who have received the Freedom or Honorary Freedom over the years. Dates of awards are shown in brackets.

Royal Family members

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Prime ministers of the United Kingdom

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Casket presented to Disraeli, Hughenden collection

Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients

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Foreign royalty

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Presidents of the United States of America

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International leaders and principal figures

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Entrepreneurs and academics

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Archbishops of Canterbury, York and London

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Religious leaders

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Diplomats

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Entertainment and the arts

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Historically notable Britons

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Other notable recipients

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  • Mark Noble (18 November 2022), West Ham United footballer[114]
  • Harry Kane (25 May 2023), England men's football captain [115]
  • Sarah Gilbert (6 October 2023) Oxford project leader for the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine[116][117]
  • Ian Wright (1 November 2023), former Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England footballer.[118]

    • See also

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    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ a b c "Freedom of the City". City of London. 4 May 2023.
    2. ^ "Qualification for Common Council" (PDF). City of London. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2022.
    3. ^ "Alderman Qualification Guidance" (PDF). City of London. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2022.
    4. ^ a b Jagger, Paul D. (2 December 2021). "The Honorary Freedom of the City of London – An exploration of The Lives of the Great and the Good". City and Livery. Every Freeman of the City of London may feel 'honoured' when they are admitted in that ancient ceremony in Guildhall, but the Corporation makes it clear in a leaflet handed to Freemen that while they may feel honoured, only the Honorary Freedom is of the form of an honour.
    5. ^ Lord Mountbatten Receives Freedom Of City Of London (1946), 13 April 2014, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    6. ^ Freedom Of London For The Princess (1947), 13 April 2014, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    7. ^ "Princess Elizabeth making a speech at Guildhall when she received the Freedom of the City of London, June 11, 1947". Royal Collection Trust. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
    8. ^ Duke Of Edinburgh Receives Freedom Of The City Of London (1948), 13 April 2014, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    9. ^ City Freedom For Queen Mother (1953), 13 April 2014, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    10. ^ "1966 Press Photo Princess Margaret Receives The Freedom of the City of London". Historic Images. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
    11. ^ Prince Charles Freedom – In Colour – 1971, 21 July 2015, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    12. ^ "- Freedom of London for Princess Anne". rct.uk. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
    13. ^ a b c d e "Freedom of the City". City of London. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013.
    14. ^ Princess Diana made Freeman of the City of London, 9 January 2012, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 24 January 2020
    15. ^ "Freedom of the City of London: Harry Kane is being awarded - but what does that mean?". Yahoo!. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
    16. ^ a b "Honors to Beaconsfield" (PDF). The New York Times. 4 August 1878. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    17. ^ "Must win Ireland, says Lloyd George" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 April 1917. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    18. ^ "Churchill's Title Has Ancient Roots; Includes Right to Enter City Almhouses". The New York Times. 1 July 1943.
    19. ^ "City Honours Mr. Attlee (1953)". YouTube. 13 April 2014.
    20. ^ "City Honours Mr. Attlee".
    21. ^ Acceptance Speech
    22. ^ "Stanley Baldwin arrives at the Guildhall to receive the freedom of the City of London". Getty Images. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
    23. ^ "Who you're saluting: Corporal Joshua Leakey, VC – Armed Forces Day". Retrieved 2 May 2019.
    24. ^ "Last Crown Prince of Austria receives the Freedom of the City of London" (Press release). City of London. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    25. ^ "King Mihai severs dynastic, historical ties with House of Hohenzollern". 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
    26. ^ "The royal trip to the UK".[dead link‍]
    27. ^ "Gen. Grant at Guildhall" (PDF). The New York Times. 30 June 1877. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
    28. ^ "Freedom of London for Col. Roosevelt" (PDF). The New York Times. 4 March 1910. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
    29. ^ "Freedom of the City of London conferred on Mr. Roosevelt scene in the Guildhall". Library of Congress.
    30. ^ "President Wilson's Speech at the Guildhall in London" (PDF). The New York Times. 29 December 1918. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    31. ^ "Eisenhower to get honor". The New York Times. 10 June 1945.
    32. ^ Mitchell, Leslie (18 June 1945). "London Welcomes Newest Citizen – Eisenhower Receives Freedom of the City". British Movietone. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021 – via YouTube.
    33. ^ "London lionizing Botha" (PDF). The New York Times. 17 April 1907. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    34. ^ "London's Freedom Given to Premier". The Toronto World. 30 July 1915. p. 5.
    35. ^ "London Honors Gen. Smuts" (PDF). The New York Times. 2 May 1917. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    36. ^ "1948.9 | Freedom of the City of London | Casket | | McCord Museum". Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
    37. ^ "Lester Pearson Honoured".
    38. ^ "Reply by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to the Chamberlain's address at the presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the City, Guildhall, London, 15 JUL 82" (PDF). National Archives of Singapore. 15 July 1982. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
    39. ^ Acceptance Speech Archived 2007-11-09 at the Wayback Machine
    40. ^ "Kohl to be given honorary freedom of the City of London". BBC News. 18 February 1998. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    41. ^ "Prime Facts 23" (PDF). Museum of Australian Democracy. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
    42. ^ "Governor of South Australia receives the Freedom of the City of London" (Press release). City of London. 24 June 2005. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    43. ^ migration (29 March 2014). "PM Lee's 'very good day' in London". The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
    44. ^ "London People: George Peabody". Retrieved 24 June 2016.
    45. ^ London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930
    46. ^ Who's Who, 2023 edition, p. 267
    47. ^ "World-famous shoe designer receives Freedom of the City of London" (Press release). City of London. 15 November 2006. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    48. ^ "The Freedom of the City". City of London. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
    49. ^ "List of Applicants for the Freedom of the City of London". City of London. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
    50. ^ "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie and his wife Rosalind". 24 August 2017.
    51. ^ "London Honors Gen. Booth" (PDF). The New York Times. 27 October 1905. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    52. ^ See also: Report on Salvation Army website[permanent dead link‍]
    53. ^ a b "Salvation Army Leaders Receive Freedom of the City of London" (Press release). The Salvation Army. 13 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    54. ^ "Archbishop of Westminster receives the Freedom of the City of London". 12 September 2011.
    55. ^ "Cardinal Martino Freedom of the City of London". Independent Catholic News. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013.
    56. ^ Lonergan, Aidan. "Outgoing Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall granted Freedom of the City of London". The Irish Post. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
    57. ^ "Arkady Rzegocki" – via Twitter.
    58. ^ City of London. "H.E. Lubomir Rehak, The Ambassador of Slovakia Hampstead, London" (PDF). List of Applications for the Freedom. 9.
    59. ^ "John Kerry receives Freedom of the City of London". The City of London. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
    60. ^ Pimlott Baker, Anne (2004). "Audrey Russell". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/40697. Retrieved 26 July 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
    61. ^ "Pavarotti receives freedom of the City of London" (Press release). British Red Cross. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    62. ^ "Freedom of the City". WebCite. City of London. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
    63. ^ "Granted the Freedom of the City of London". City of London. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
    64. ^ Rowling, J. K. "J.K. Rowling". TM Warner Bros and J.K. Rowling. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
    65. ^ "Sir Michael Caine given Freedom of City of London". Evening Standard. London. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013.
    66. ^ Wooden Pegg (8 March 2013), Sir Michael Caine Given City of London Freedom, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 16 July 2019
    67. ^ "Damian Lewis freedom of the City of London". BBC News. 20 March 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013.
    68. ^ Vincent, Alice (16 April 2013). "Opera singer Placido Domingo to receive freedom of the City of London". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013.
    69. ^ Tolhurst, Alain (16 September 2013). "Geldof given freedom of City of London for charity work and contribution to music". London24. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
    70. ^ "Happy Days! Henry Winkler gets Freedom of the City of London". itv. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
    71. ^ "Ian McKellen given freedom of the City of London". BBC News. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
    72. ^ "Freedom of the City - About us - City of London". Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
    73. ^ "Q&A session with actor Eddie Redmayne at the Guildhall". City of London School for Girls. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
    74. ^ Glenday, Craig (30 September 2018). "Sondheim receives Freedom of the City of London". The Stephen Sondheim Society. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
    75. ^ "EELS on Instagram: "HONARY [sic] FREEMAN OF LONDON, SIR MARCUS OLIVER EVERETT. E can now legally bring his flock of sheep across London Bridge and if he commits a…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
    76. ^ "Arif Anis became Freeman of the City of London". Lily Ford. Independent.co.uk. 14 April 2022.
    77. ^ "Ed Sheeran receives Freedom of the city of London". gov.uk. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
    78. ^ Al-Hassan, Aliya (1 June 2023). "Sir Cameron Mackintosh Awarded Freedom of the City of London". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
    79. ^ Sherman, Robert. ""Today I Was Granted the Freedom of the City of London"". Facebook. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
    80. ^ "The Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c: Saturday, October 23, 1847- Varieties". The Literary Gazette: A Weekly Journal of Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts. London: Henry Silverlock, Wardrobe Terrace, Doctors' Commons. 1847. p. 757. Retrieved 22 April 2022. The City of London, on the motion of Sir P. Laurie, has done itself honour by voting its Freedom in a gold box, to James Brooke, the rajah of Sarawak, and the regenerator of the Indian Archipelago
    81. ^ "The Chief Justice in London" (PDF). The New York Times. 10 March 1876. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    82. ^ Binfield, Clyde (1994). George Williams in context: A portrait of the Founder of the YMCA. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press. p. 20.
    83. ^ "London Honors Kitchener" (PDF). The New York Times. 5 November 1898. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    84. ^ "Speech by Lord Milner" (PDF). The New York Times. 24 July 1901. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    85. ^ "Mr. Chamberlain Honored" (PDF). The New York Times. 14 February 1902. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    86. ^ "London Honors Earl Grey" (PDF). The New York Times. 24 January 1912. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    87. ^ a b "Haig and Beatty made freemen of the City of London". ITN Source. 16 June 1919.
    88. ^ "Chamberlain gets Freedom of London". The New York Times. 26 March 1926.
    89. ^ "Speaker granted Freedom of the City". UK Parliament. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
    90. ^ "Coronavirus: Captain Tom Moore Freedom of the City of London". BBC News. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
    91. ^ Allderidge, Patricia H. "Dadd, Richard". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/37337. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
    92. ^ Jonathan Andrews (7 November 1997). The History of Bethlem. Routledge. p. 504. ISBN 978-0-415-01773-2. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
    93. ^ "The city and Sir James Willcocks". The Times. No. 36505. London. 12 July 1901. p. 11.
    94. ^ "The Freedom of the City" (PDF). The New York Times. 4 December 1910. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
    95. ^ "No. 48584". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 April 1981. p. 5531.
    96. ^ McNee, p. 167.
    97. ^ Krieger, Candice (20 December 2007). "Ari Norman designs the ultimate family Chanucah gift". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
    98. ^ Marsh, Steve. "Brian DEAR ... (1962 – 1969)". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
    99. ^ "Famous London historian honoured by the City of London" (Press release). City of London. 14 December 2006. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    100. ^ "Lord Provost of Glasgow to receive Freedom of City of London" (Press release). City of London. 5 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
    101. ^ "Leading Finnish cultural figure Freedom of the City" (Press release). City of London. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.[dead link‍]
    102. ^ Simpson, Colin. "Welcome | The Worshipful Company of Firefighters". firefighterscompany.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
    103. ^ Bonham, Martin (November 2010). "Members News" (PDF). Worshipful Company of Firefighters. Retrieved 9 September 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
    104. ^ "The English Democrats". voteenglish.org. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
    105. ^ "London 2012 athlete David Weir given City of London freedom". BBC News. 3 December 2012.
    106. ^ Mohammed, Syma (9 April 2013). "Polar explorer from Hackney awarded freedom of the city of London for voluntary work". Hackney Gazette. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
    107. ^ "Crista Cullen receives Freedom of the City of London". England Hockey. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020.
    108. ^ "Agenda item – List of applicants for the Freedom of the City". democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
    109. ^ "List of Applications for the Freedom" (PDF). democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk. 10 September 2015.
    110. ^ "UAE residents win Freedom of the City of London". 15 August 2016.
    111. ^ @spectaclemakers (15 January 2021). "Delighted to welcome our first new Freeman of 2021, Professor @AdamOckelford, Professor of Music @RoehamptonUni & co-founder of @theambertrust. His research shows the positive effects of #Music #Education on children with #VisionImpairment and special educational needs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    112. ^ "GB News' Tom Harwood reacts to receiving Freedom of the City of London". theglobalherald.com. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
    113. ^ "Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win". ITV News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    114. ^ "Mark Noble awarded Freedom of the City of London | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
    115. ^ "Harry Kane awarded Freedom of the City of London". Harry Kane awarded Freedom of the City of London. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
    116. ^ "Sarah Gilbert receives Freedom of the City of London | Christ Church, University of Oxford". www.chch.ox.ac.uk. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
    117. ^ "Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert awarded Freedom of the City of London". www.psi.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
    118. ^ "Ian Wright awarded Freedom of the City of London". news.cityoflondon.gov.uk. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
    John Scott England Freedom of the City Admission Papers

    Further reading

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    • London's Roll of Fame: Being Complimentary Notes and Addresses from the City of London, on Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of that City, and on Other Occasions, to Royal Personages, Statesmen... A.D. 1757-1884 etc. (The City of London Corporation, Cassell & Co., 1884). Benjamin Scott (ed.)
    • London's Roll of Fame: Being Presentations of the Freedom of the City and Addresses of Welcome from the Corporation of London to Royal and other Distinguished Personages, A.D. 1885-1959. (The City of London Corporation, 1959).
    • Valerie Hope, Clive Birch & Gilbert Torry, The Freedom: the Past and Present of the Livery, Guilds and City of London. (Barracuda Books, 1982).
    • Caroline Arnold, Sheep over London Bridge: Freedom of the City of London. (Corporation of London Records Office, 1996).
    • Some Rules for the Conduct of Life, to which are added a few cautions: For the use of such Freemen of London as take Apprentices. (Chamberlain's Court, Guildhall, London).
    • Addresses presented from the Court of Common Council to the King, on his Majesty's accession to the Throne, and on Various other Occasions, and his answers; Resolutions of the Court, Granting the Freedom of the City to several Noble Personages, with their answers; Instructions at different times to the Representatives of the City in Parliament; Petitions to Parliament for different purposes; Resolutions of the Court, on the Memorial of the Livery, to request the Lord Mayor to call a Common Hall; for returning thanks to Lord Chatham, and his answer; for erecting a Statue in Guildhall, to William Beckford, Esq; late Lord Mayor, agreed to between the 23rd October, 1760, and the 12th October 1770. (printed by Henry Fenwick, printer to the Honourable City of London).
    • Addresses, Remonstrances, and Petitions; commencing the 24th of June, 1769, presented to the King and Parliament, from the Court of Common Council, and the Livery in Common Hall assembled, with his Majesty's answers; likewise the speech to the King, made by the late Mr. Alderman Beckford, when Lord Mayor of the City of London. (printed by Henry Fenwick, London).
    • A Petition of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, presented to His Majesty, the 24th of May, 1769, by Mr. Serjeant Glynn, John Sawbridge, Esq; James Townsend, Esq; the Rev. Dr. Wilson, George Bellas, Esq; Francis Ayscough, Esq; and William Ellis, Esq. (printed by Henry Fenwick, London).
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