On Sunday, Hollywood actor Damian Lewis participated in a centuries-old tradition of herding sheep over the River Thames. Lewis was joined by over 1,000 Freemen of the City, who helped shepherd the animals along a historic trading route. The event was created as a way to honour the medieval right to bring produce to market over the Thames toll-free. The Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, who is a Freeman of the City himself, described the event as “fabulous”.
Lewis was asked by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one of the oldest livery companies in the city, to attend the event. He wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he helped guide the animals across Southwark Bridge. Lewis explained that “Freemen of the City of London can drive their sheep … toll-free, free of charge, across the bridge – London Bridge as it was in the day – into the City of London in order to sell their produce.”
The tradition of taking sheep over London Bridge was resurrected about 15 years ago and has since gained a life of its own, becoming a massive event. The fundraiser is expected to bring in tens of thousands of pounds for the Woolmen Charity, which supports the wool trade, and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which works to improve “London’s most pressing societal issues”. The annual sheep drive is now the second-largest outdoor event of the City of London, after the Lord Mayor’s Show.
Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, Manny Cohen, explained that Lewis has a strong connection to the City of London. His great grandfather, grandfather, and his brother were all Lord Mayors of London, who run the governing body of the City of London Corporation. Additionally, Lewis studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Cohen added, “It was fabulous, having him [Lewis] there because he has a really close link to the City of London.
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