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British actor Damian Lewis is a Freeman. Being a “Freeman” in London specifically pertains to a medieval title granted to tradesmen (and women!) who wanted to do business in the town Square Mile. Honest, hard-working craftsmen (and women!) who sought life, liberty, and the pursuit of taking their sheep into town without paying a toll. And so Damian did last Sunday, as a Freeman of the City of London tapped by the 12th century-era Worshipful Company of Woolmen guild to lead their annual Sheep Drive. Smartly clad in his grandfather’s 100-year-old wool coat, Damian had a smashing good time with his flock of ovine friends as they crossed Southwark Bridge on their way to a Livery Fair showcasing local wool wares:
Actor Damian Lewis drove a flock of sheep across the River Thames on Sunday in homage to a centuries-old tradition.
Lewis is among thousands of people granted the honorary title of Freeman of the City of London, which in medieval times came with the right to bring livestock across the river to market without paying tolls.
More than 1,000 freemen exercised that right on Sunday in the annual London Sheep Drive, many wearing black hats and red cloaks. Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he led the throng herding the animal over Southwark Bridge.
“It was fabulous,” said Lewis, star of “Band of Brothers,” “Homeland” and “Wolf Hall.”
Lewis was asked to represent the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, a trade guild dating to the 12th century. He said he was pleased to be part of “this eccentric, very British day, honoring an old tradition.”
Manny Cohen, Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, said the ancient sheep-driving tradition was revived about 15 years ago and has become a major charity fundraising event.
There are no plans to bring back other ancient freemen’s privileges such as the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public and to be escorted home if found drunk.
“There are no plans to bring back other ancient freemen’s privileges such as the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public and to be escorted home if found drunk,” is arguably one of the greatest sentences strung together since Shakespeare. But based on the wording, does this mean that it’s ok for people (free or otherwise) to carry sheathed swords in public? Were there sheathed swords used to shear the sheep on Sunday?! Anyway, I agree with Damian that yes, this whole thing is very eccentric and very quintessentially British (assuming tea was consumed along the way). They actually shut down the Southwark Bridge to make way for sheeplings, and there were men in town-crier-looking costumes and a few ladies dressed as Bo Peep. It was all fun to watch, once I was able to get past Damian’s alarming mustache (why, Damian? WHY?). I just hope the sheep had a good time! If not a baaaaaah-rel of laughs!
Photos credit: Getty and Matthew Chattle/Cover Images
I suppose some traditions are harmless, and people can all have fun. Just wish more for the British as you face winter 💗🫂
This is cute. These are the kind of traditions I think are worth keeping. The ones that don’t hurt anyone.
This is objectively great, as is Damian Lewis, and also his coat.
This sort of tradition I can absolutely get behind.
I was standing behind him in the taxi queue outside Bristol Temple Meads station years back and trying to work out where I knew him from, it was only when the guy the other side of him started talking to him about something he’d been in that it clicked. he was in town for a stag party apparently and was delightful and happy to chat.
Sheep are strange animals.
Look at them, with those beautifully marbled faces and legs, and then look at their beige coats.
Damian, dog and sheep would have needed just the right amount of London fog added to their bridge crossing to make it a truly cinematic moment.
I think Damian Lewis is an amazing actor & can’t think of any bad performance he has ever turned in.
Attention?
Pic #1. is so terrific, made me smile.
The “officials” are so cheerful. Bit of tradition that harms no one, nice.
Almost a visit Britain tour poster. LOL
And wearing his Grandfathers’ 100 y/o coat is a cool addition. 👍
It really is so charming.
I don’t think there’s a more eccentric and old British tradition than the monarchy. Maybe one day it will devolve into an event like this one – a once a year nostalgic parade that raises funds instead of taking them.
I love this story so, so much.
I’m with Kirsten. Damien Lewis is such a nice-looking man: I think better looking now that he is older, and it doesn’t appear he’s messed with his face. He must miss his lovely wife so much. I love that he wore his grandfather’s 100-year-old coat. That’s just too cool.
I was there to see my brother do this! He’s a freeman so he jumped at the opportunity to do something slightly mad! It was fun! And it’s not everyday you see sheep in the city of London! Shame I didn’t actually get to see Damian, though!
My brother is really hoping they bring back the rule that they can get escorted home from the pub!
😊