Actor Damian Lewis drove a flock of sheep across the River Thames overnight in homage to a centuries-old tradition.
Lewis is among thousands of people granted the honorary title of Freeman of the City of London, which in medieval times came with the right to bring livestock across the river to market without paying tolls.
More than 1000 freemen exercised that right on Sunday (overnight in Australia) in the annual London Sheep Drive, many wearing black hats and red cloaks.
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Beverly Hills Cop star dies following lengthy health battle
READ MORE: Frances Bean Cobain welcomes first child with legend’s son
Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he led the throng herding the animals over Southwark Bridge.
“It was fabulous,” said Lewis, star of Band of Brothers, Homeland and Wolf Hall.
Lewis was asked to represent the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, a trade guild dating back to the 12th century.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ racy birthday ‘gift’ for husband
READ MORE: If you wanted to be in this Sydney room, you only had seconds to act
He said he was pleased to be part of “this eccentric, very British day, honouring an old tradition”.
Manny Cohen, Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, said the ancient sheep-driving tradition was revived about 15 years ago and has become a major charity fundraising event.
There are no plans to bring back other ancient freemen’s privileges such as the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public and to be escorted home if found drunk.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
Add Comment