Admission
To become a Freeman of Newcastle upon Tyne, you must follow an application process that is now the same for all potential Freemen. Before November 2009 only sons of freemen were able to be sworn-in, but happily this historical gender restriction was overturned by an Act of Parliament: The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill on 12th November 2009, to give daughters equal rights to the freelage by inheritance.
It is pleasing to note that it was the Freemen of Newcastle who led the demand nationally for equality for daughters, with the much-valued support of the local Members of Parliament
In addition to right of admission due to inheritance, some Freemen gain their admission having served an apprenticeship in one of the remaining one or two companies still operative in this regard.
Freemen elsewhere may have different procedures depending on their charters and individual customs, including awarding Honorary Freedom of their Town, or city.
However, an Honorary Freemen is not the same as a Hereditary Freemen.
The conferring of the Freedom of the City to non-Freemen is an honour granted by the City Council to many worthy individuals for their contribution to city life, and other groups including for example, Royal Navy ships’ companies and army regiments connected with the city
Candidates applying to become Hereditary Freemen in Newcastle need to be the son or daughter of a Freeman and must have been born in lawful wedlock, or apprenticed to a Freeman, having reached the minimum age of 20 years (and having completed an apprenticeship) can seek admission.
The Application Process
The application process for those meeting the criteria above is very straightforward. Just download and fully complete the application form below and return it to Admissions at Moor Bank Lodge, see address below, or email to admin@freemenofnewcastle.org
Once an applicant’s validity is verified, details of successful applicants will be submitted to the Lord Mayors office at the Civic Centre. The Lord Mayors office will then communicate directly with candidates to arrange the dates of calling at Guild prior to the applicants attendance at Guild to be sworn in by the Lord Mayor.
A Roll of Freemen from 1820 is held at Moor Bank Lodge, this is a purely a register of the date a Freeman was sworn in. The Company of Freemen through which the individual hails may hold further information. (See list of Senior Stewards for contact details.)
Honorary Freelage is not the same as hereditary freelage, therefore we hold no records. This is granted by the City Council and has been bestowed on individuals and regiments.
