Dennis Steel's - Freemen of York
23rd May 2025
In: News, Members' Articles
The Gild of Freemen of York
Dennis Steel
We go to York most weeks and the best day for street entertainers is Saturday which I try to photograph.
We have a set route which we follow around York knowing the spots they will be at.
Recently on a Saturday we were on route to the Museum Gardens, prior to getting there I spotted three people dressed up in what I though initially was the Cordwainers attire.
I went over to them and started talking to them - two men and a women. My opening words to the man standing in the middle was are you a Cordwainer? And he instantly replied, no I’m not a Cobbler. He said he was a Freemen of York as were the other two. The women would be addressed as a Lady Freemen.
I asked him if I could become a Freeman of York, he said it’s Hereditary. I could become a Freeman if I served a 5 year apprenticeship under him and he then could make me a Freemen of York.
He told me that there were over seven thousand Freemen of York of which three thousand live in York and the rest were scattered worldwide.
I then asked them if I could take their photographs they replied yes and I got to work. On completing my photographs, I thanked them and said goodbye.
We continued to the Museums Gardens where Lin likes an ice- cream from the shop just inside the gardens gates.
I found a table with two free chairs; the third chair a lady was sitting on, I asked if we could join her. “Yes, please do” she said.
I asked her if she was from York, “yes and I am a Lady Freemen of York” she replied. She was not dressed in the Lady Freemen attire. She told me that the Sheriff and his army of Freemen are walking the city walls today and they would finish at York’s Manson House approximately 15:30 hrs.
Lin finished her ice-cream, and I said I would like to photograph the Sheriff and his army of Freemen.
So, at 15:30 hrs we were outside the Manson House awaiting the arrival of the Sheriff’s army, we waited and waited but no show. So we left to catch our buses home.
The next time the Sheriff and his Freemen army walk the city wall I will be there with my camera.
The photos were taken with my SL2 with the 90mm f2 lens.
Notes: I was presented by the Master Cordwainer of York at the Manson House some time ago now, a winner’s cup for a piece of furniture I made.
A Cordwainer is a person who makes shoes from new leather.
A Cobber repairs shoes.
A Cobbler Freeman of York
A Lady Freeman of York
A Freeman of York
Dennis Steel
We go to York most weeks and the best day for street entertainers is Saturday which I try to photograph.
We have a set route which we follow around York knowing the spots they will be at.
Recently on a Saturday we were on route to the Museum Gardens, prior to getting there I spotted three people dressed up in what I though initially was the Cordwainers attire.
I went over to them and started talking to them - two men and a women. My opening words to the man standing in the middle was are you a Cordwainer? And he instantly replied, no I’m not a Cobbler. He said he was a Freemen of York as were the other two. The women would be addressed as a Lady Freemen.
I asked him if I could become a Freeman of York, he said it’s Hereditary. I could become a Freeman if I served a 5 year apprenticeship under him and he then could make me a Freemen of York.
He told me that there were over seven thousand Freemen of York of which three thousand live in York and the rest were scattered worldwide.
I then asked them if I could take their photographs they replied yes and I got to work. On completing my photographs, I thanked them and said goodbye.
We continued to the Museums Gardens where Lin likes an ice- cream from the shop just inside the gardens gates.
I found a table with two free chairs; the third chair a lady was sitting on, I asked if we could join her. “Yes, please do” she said.
I asked her if she was from York, “yes and I am a Lady Freemen of York” she replied. She was not dressed in the Lady Freemen attire. She told me that the Sheriff and his army of Freemen are walking the city walls today and they would finish at York’s Manson House approximately 15:30 hrs.
Lin finished her ice-cream, and I said I would like to photograph the Sheriff and his army of Freemen.
So, at 15:30 hrs we were outside the Manson House awaiting the arrival of the Sheriff’s army, we waited and waited but no show. So we left to catch our buses home.
The next time the Sheriff and his Freemen army walk the city wall I will be there with my camera.
The photos were taken with my SL2 with the 90mm f2 lens.
Notes: I was presented by the Master Cordwainer of York at the Manson House some time ago now, a winner’s cup for a piece of furniture I made.
A Cordwainer is a person who makes shoes from new leather.
A Cobber repairs shoes.
A Cobbler Freeman of York
A Lady Freeman of York
A Freeman of York
Comments
By Ken Davis: Dennis,
when you are a freeman of a city what does that entitle you to do? Trade in the city? Are you free of local taxes?
Thanks
Ken By David Askham: Dennis, thank you for engaging with these interesting people and sharing your knowledge with members of the Leica Fellowship. Well done! By Cled Lewis: What a fascinating story, we lived in Yorkshire for fifteen years and like Dennis and Linda visited York quite often but didn’t know anything about The Freemen.
Lovely pictures made more interesting by the information. By Keith Walker: Good pictures Dennis. What makes a "Past Master"? By Wendy McKay: What an interesting article Dennis. The pictures are very good. As you say it is worthwhile to get the individuals permission to take their picture as you get a better picture.