Gild of Freemen of York

Join the Gild

FREEDOM TO THE
CITY OF YORK

Records of the Freemen of the City of York date back to the late 13th century, with references that exist even earlier during the Anglo-Saxon period.

Though Freemen no longer hold the privileges they once held the tradition of gaining Freedom of the city still exists today and is granted by the City of York Council.

STATEMENT REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR FREEDOM COURT (Updated Feb 2025)

Some of you will have noticed that applications for the Freedom Court continue to be closed for the present.

This is due to some reorganisation within the council and retirements of key staff. The Gild is in discussions with appropriate officers to ensure that new Freemen of the city can be sworn in, in the future, however this does mean that there will be some changes. Progress is being made but we are still working to have applications open again soon with the aim of having the next Freedom Court later in 2025. For those who had already put in an application you will be contacted soon to return Certificates etc, and the application will be processed as soon as possible, but apart from that you are unlikely to hear more until a Ceremony can be arranged.

We shall of course advise here and on our Facebook page when new applications can be made once again.

APPLY THROUGH PATRIMONY

The most common way to claim Freemenship today is through birthright. From the age of 21, an applicant can claim through an ancestor as far back as a great-great-grandparent on either their paternal or maternal side.

Applications are currently closed

The following information is required on the application form:

  • Applicants: – full name, address, occupation, and date of birth.
  • The full name of the relative they are claiming freedom through.
  • The address of the relative they are claiming through at the time they were made a freeman.
  • The occupation of the relative they are claiming through at the time of being made a freeman.
  • The date the relative they are claiming through was made a Freeman.

The details relating to the person that you are claiming through must match exactly the
information held in the Roll of Freeman. Please contact York Explore Library and Archive who will check the register on your behalf. Copies of documents can be sent to you, however, a charge per image will apply.

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APPLY THROUGH SERVITUDE

To become a Freeman of York by servitude, you must have been an apprentice to a master craftsman, who themselves are a Freemen, for a minimum of five years.

Applications are currently closed.

MORE INFORMATION

When applying for Freemenship there is an administration fee to be paid when your application is verified and you have been invited to the Annual Freedom Court of Admittance.
Contact Email address for Freedom Court is:
freedomcourtyork@gmail.com