IT was a big weekend for freedom in York. The soldiers from 2 Signals Regiment, who toiled ceaselessly to save York from catastrophic floods, received the Freedom of the City. And Bedern Hall, off Goodramgate, was opened to the public by the Gild of Freemen as part of the Residents First initiative.

To be granted honorary Freedom of the City of York is a rare accolade. The 2 Signals Regiment became the first military unit to receive the honour since HMS York in 1990.

The city has bestowed honorary freedom on individuals down the years. In 1925 former Prime Minister David Lloyd George came to York to claim his freedom. In more recent times, the Duchess of Kent, who married at the Minster, and the Duke and Duchess of York were granted the same right.

But what of the ordinary citizens? Every year, people from across the world, as well as many residents of York, claim their freedom of this ancient city. To become a Freeman of the City of York - a tradition which goes back through the centuries - is an honour which they prize highly.

While the very earliest records go back to 1272, it was not until the 14th century that the word "freeman" first came into use. In York a man had to be a freeman before he could trade or become a master craftsman and join one of the many gilds. The charters of the freemen are the charters of the city of York; the first Royal Charter was dated 1154-1158.

How did you become a freeman? There were originally three ways: by patrimony (birthright), by servitude (apprenticeship) and by franchise (purchase).

Freedom by patrimony was passed down from father to son, or grandfather to grandson, through the generations. It was, and still is, a matter of great pride to be a member of a family of freemen.

Any indentured apprentice to a master craftsman who was also a freeman could claim his freedom from his master after serving an apprenticeship of not less than five years and attaining 21 years of age.

The cost of purchasing freedom has varied down the years from 20 shillings to £45. This option disappeared many years ago.

For centuries it was impossible for non-freemen to trade or do business, to vote or hold office in the city. Freeman were also exempt from payment of certain tolls. So those who had the right - or could purchase it - had power and position within the city.

Freemen also had the right to graze two cows on the appropriate strays. The city was divided into several wards each with its own stray which was owned by the freemen and on which their cattle and horses would graze free of charge.

Hence we have some parts of Micklegate Stray, Bootham Stray and Monk and Walmgate Strays still in existence, although much (including the Knavesmire) was taken over by the city council some years ago.

The freemen, however, still take a great interest in their use and actively contribute to discussions as to their future.

Freedom Rolls that date back centuries give a good idea of the changing face of life in York. Some of the earliest lists reveal that many freemen were tanners and leather workers.

By Georgian times, when many in York were enjoying the high life, the rolls record hairdressers, and music and dance masters.

In 1835, when the Municipal Reform Act removed from the freemen of the city most of their historic rights and powers, it became necessary to establish Gilds of Freemen in some cities to protect their traditions. York, in the company of a few other cities such as London, Oxford, Chester, Berwick on Tweed, Coventry and Newcastle on Tyne, keeps to those traditions in modern times.

Today, most freemen of York claim their freedom through ancestors who were freemen.

Each year, the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of past freemen apply to the Lord Mayor of York, through the electoral services office of City of York Council, for the chance to prove their birthright to become freemen. They then come to the Freedom Court, usually held in October, where they will swear the freeman's oath of allegiance to York and the Queen before being presented with their certificates of freedom by the Lord Mayor.

With the passing of apprenticeships in crafts and trades, very few freedoms have been claimed from master freemen in recent years. But a stonemason's apprentice, Emma Dexter, did claim her freedom in this way last year.

The Gild of Freemen is still very active in the city. Membership is open to any freeman and a programme of events and activities is arranged each year. The freemen are invited take part in many civic functions and their services are attended by the York civic party.

Roger Lee has been clerk to the gild for many years. In June he will be made Master of the Gild, following in the footsteps of his late father Ron.

He says it is an exclusive, but not elitist, organisation. "To become a member of the gild, you simply have to be a freeman. Each year, new freeman are admitted from the widest possible social spectrum. That's one of our strengths. We do have many different skills and abilities."

The sense of tradition is very important, he said. "There's this continuity linking you and your family back in the past.

"Being a freeman is a privilege, but it also brings with it certain civic responsibilities: high standards in work and trade, and in life. A concern for the welfare of other freemen and, of course, links with the Church."

Mr Lee, who runs the Time And Place catering company, has traced his family's freeman connection to the 1830s and William Lee the saddler. Others can go back much further, to ancestors in the 1600s and beyond.

But he says the gild must also look forwards to continue its good work into the 21st century.

The Gild of Freemen of York will be holding an open day on Saturday to welcome newly-elected freemen and existing freemen at their Bedern Hall home between Goodramgate and St Andrewgate. Gild silver and regalia will be on show, and a display will reveal the history of the medieval Bedern Hall.

The story of the Freemen of York through the ages will be told through photographs and original records.

Anyone who is interested in finding out how to claim their Freedom of the City will be most welcome.

A microfilm archive of all the city freemen from 1680 to 1986 will be available, from which ancestors may be traced.

The open day runs from 10.30am to 11.30am and 3pm to 4pm. Existing and new freemen will be attending a pre-booked luncheon in between those times.

For further information contact Mr Lee on (01904) 653698.

Many thanks to Freeman Peter Stanhope for his help with this article