What is a 'Freeman'

[Star]

I was in some company today where two senior gentleman were referred to 'Freeman' <Surname> and not their first names i.e instead of 'John Smith' they were addressed as Freeman Smith. Any ideas what this is about?

 

[JLibourel]

Could be some of these nut jobs who refuse to acknowledge any government authority and don't pay taxes. They style themselves "Freemen." Hadn't heard anything much about them in a decade or so. They were sort of contemporaneous and of a piece with the "Citizen Militia" movement.

 

[redgrail]

Are you in London? Could be these gentlemen have the Freedom of the City... http://www.guild-freemen-london.co.uk/

 

[Tck13]

They used to mine the sand in Dune.

 

[Jekyll]

 

[Tokyo Slim]

 

[Journeyman]

Originally Posted by Tck13

They used to mine the sand in Dune.

Wasn't that the Fremen?

 

[Willsw]

Maybe you misheard them. "Foreman" seems logical.

 

[Beta]

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Wasn't that the Fremen?

+1 for sci fi

 

[redgrail]

Originally Posted by Beta

+1 for sci fi

+1 for eerily blue eyes and recycling your own piss and sweat as drinking water.

 

[Flambeur]

Isn't that a social/class term in the UK? Similar to Esquire or something? Like a couple steps above a commoner?

 

[redgrail]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

Isn't that a social/class term in the UK? Similar to Esquire or something? Like a couple steps above a commoner?

Yes. In the feudal era. Above villeins, cottagers and slaves.

 

[T&A]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

Isn't that a social/class term in the UK? Similar to Esquire or something? Like a couple steps above a commoner?

Never used as such these days, nor is commoner, and esquire is on the way out.

Also, freemen of the City of London and other English cities don't use it as a prenominal title in that way.

I bet they're tax resistors - they are "free" in the sense of owing no debt to the State. Still quite a few of them around.

 

[RyJ Maduro]

Perhaps a local government position? In New Jersey, county officials are referred to as "Freeholders."

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Could be some of these nut jobs who refuse to acknowledge any government authority and don't pay taxes. They style themselves "Freemen." Hadn't heard anything much about them in a decade or so. They were sort of contemporaneous and of a piece with the "Citizen Militia" movement.

You do mean patriots don't you?