Freedom of the City of Coventry

The Lord Mayor's Office administers the admittance of Freeman to the City of Coventry.

City of Coventry Freeman's Guilds

Coventry's history goes back for hundreds of years and the City of Coventry Freeman's Guilds have been part of that history for almost the same time. The people who were in membership with those merchant and craft guilds had served an apprenticeship to their trade and were "free" to trade or exercise their crafts and callings in the community. In consequence they were citizens upon whom devolved the financial and other obligations of the community.

Eventually in 1345, Coventry became a city and had a Mayor in 1348. The Freemen were then able to swear an oath of allegiance before him and this ceremony has been carried out to this day with little change to the content.

Freemen of today will know that the Oath which they took on admission as Freemen and citizens still imposed not only a duty of loyalty to the Mayor and the city but an obligation to contribute to proper share towards the assessments and charges of the community. Thus, the Freemen of today are the direct successors of the members of the ancient Guilds.

The Trinity Guild

The main Guilds of Coventry, those of St Mary, St John and St Catherine, combined in 1364 to form the very powerful Trinity Guild with a very religious leaning and it was this connection that caused King Henry VIII to dissolve it in 1546.

The Guild Hall of St Mary, build originally in 1342 and extended in 1414, was owned by the Trinity Guild but was confiscated by King Henry VIII. It now belongs to the Coventry Corporation and is one of the oldest guild halls in the country.

Coventry Freemen's Guild

Coventry continued to admit Freemen but it was not until 1945 that a group of them banded together to form the City of Coventry Freemen's Guild which was Incorporated in 1946.

The right to become a Freeman of Coventry is still earned by Servitude (serving an apprenticeship) and the City is unique as being the only city awarding the Freedom specifically by this method. Other cities award the Freedom in addition by redemption (payment) or Patrimony (from father to son or daughter).

What privileges do Freemen have?

A small pension upon reaching pensionable age, from the Coventry Freemen's Charity, for the relief in need for needy Freemen of the City and their dependants, and the widows and widowers of a deceased Freeman who are resident with the boundary of the City.

Preference to applications from suitably qualified Freeman to a scheme known as General Charities. No one Freeman has a right to loan or grants, and decisions rests with the Trustees of the City. Typically the charity provides for persons in need, hardship or distress; interest free loans; financial assistance through bursaries for education; and a pension for poorer persons.

Who are the Freemen of the City of Coventry?

A register documenting the names of all the Freemen of the City of Coventry is held by the City Council. It is kept in the Lord Mayor's Office, and can be viewed by members of the public - to make an appointment please call the Lord Mayor's secretary using the contact details a the foot of this page.

Am I eligible to become a Freeman of the City of Coventry?

The West Midlands County Council Act 1980 states that to qualify for the Freedom of the City you must have completed an apprenticeship under an enrolled Deed:

for a company whose address is within 4.5 miles of St Mary’s Guildhall;

within the City boundary;

and

that was at least a five year apprenticeship;

if less than five years, has been supplemented by work in the same trade to which you were apprenticed, to make up a total of five years (it does not matter if you changed your employer or if there was a gap between your apprenticeship and your additional work).

How do I apply to become a Freeman of the City of Coventry?

If you think you are eligible please complete the application form below and return a signed copy to Lord Mayor's Office.

Contact details

Lord Mayor's Office
CH36, Council House,
Earl Street,
Coventry,
CV1 5RR.
Telephone: 024 7683 3100
Fax: 024 7683 3078
E-mail: lord.mayor@coventry.gov.uk

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