“As a proud London Welshman, playing the drover and driving my sheep, as if from Llandeilo, across The Thames, will be a career highlight. Can’t wait”.
Well, I don’t know if Damian has been waiting for this day to come but I certainly have since…
…the day he received the Freedom of the City of London honour in recognition of his achievements as an actor in March 2013 at London’s Guildhall.
Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditions still in existence today. The first Freedom is believed to have been granted in 1237. According to Wikipedia, being a “free man” in old times came with certain privileges, varying from the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge to carrying a naked sword in public. Continue reading “Believe It or Not: Damian Lewis Will Drive Sheep Over The Southwark Bridge”
Well, I don’t know if Damian has been waiting for this day to come but I certainly have since the day he received the Freedom of the City of London honour in recognition of his achievements as an actor in March 2013 at London’s Guildhall.
Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditions still in existence today. The first Freedom is believed to have been granted in 1237. According to Wikipedia, being a “free man” in old times came with certain privileges, varying from the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge to carrying a naked sword in public.
Here is how Damian reacted to be granted the Freedom of the City of London honour.
“It’s remarkable, I’m still surprised. I wasn’t quite sure if they’d got the right person so I’m very happy to be here. It’s a rare occasion.” – Damian Lewis
BBC reported that Damian mourned these “privileges” are today effectively symbolic:
“I’ve got a flock in my garden in Tufnell Park but I wasn’t allowed to bring them down.”
Well, it seems these “privileges” are not as symbolic as Damian thought.Here is an image of Stephen Fry who liberally used his privilege to walk his sheep across the London Bridge…
source: londonlovesbusiness.com
…and GUESS WHAT?
Damian is getting ready to exercise his ancient privilege September 29! Here is the announcement by Sheep Drive London on Instagram:
Even though he thought he would not be able to exercise his ancient privileges at the time he was granted the honour, Damian seemed quite happy about being recognized as a Freeman of London 🙂
“It’s the most extraordinary honour to be offered the Freedom of the City of London – the city that I have grown up in, and love, more than any other. I’m very, very proud to be associated with it.”
He also gavesome historical family connections to the city:
“Four previous lord mayors were related to me – my great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather and a great-uncle, and my grandfather. They started out as girdlers. They’d probably be making Spanx now if they were around today.”
“My grandfather was a Haberdasher, one of the Great Twelve Guilds, and I trained at Guildhall in the Square Mile. For over 700 years, merchants, financiers and actors – to name but a few – have lived and worked here ‘cheek by jowl’ and this illustrates just what diversity there is in the City of London. I’m very, very proud to be associated with it, and to be recognised in this way.”
When Damian received the honour in 2013, he was indeed related to four Lord Mayors. But now that Damian’s brother Sir William Russell served as the 692nd Lord Mayor of London between 2019 – 2021, he is related to five.
Freedom of the City of London today is a recognition of lifetime achievement or international standing. And, it may be completely symbolic in terms of the privileges provided, BUT it should feel great to receive such an honor from “your city” which you think is the “greatest city in the world!”
Watch damian-lewis.com for news and images from the Sheep Drive on September 29.
Did you know that Damian Lewis received the Freedom of the City of London honour in recognition of his achievements as an actor in March 2013?
Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditions still in existence today. It is believed that the first Freedom was granted in 1237. According to Wikipedia, being a “free man” in old times came with certain privileges, varying from the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge to carrying a naked sword in public. Continue reading “Trivia Tuesday with “Free Man of London” Damian Lewis”
