The Honourable Company of Freemen of
the City of London of North America
In the earliest times a freemen was one who was "freeborn" -- i.e. no bondsman's son or foreigner. Traditionally, Freemen of the City of London were exempt from tolls at markets and fairs, had immunity from impressment into the armed services, and had the right to vote at ward and parliamentary elections.
Without exaggeration it could be said that being a Freemen of the City of London represents a standard of excellence. As such, it implicitly requires its members to strive to live up to its ideals, just as once the Livery Companies used to control the quality of work produced by its members.