Ending of Restrictive Practices, 1835

Freemen attempted to maintain their stranglehold on trade in Leicester, but the influx of traders and artisans into the town during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution made this increasingly difficult.

By the time restrictive practices were made illegal in 1835, only one profession remained restricted to Freemen - victuallers or tipplers, i.e. wine and beer merchants and publicans.

Municipal Corporation Act of 1835

In 1835 the Municipal Corporation Act created bodies elected by the ratepayers and withdrew all government powers from the Freemen. This was the first step towards the present form of democratic local government.

Land

The burgesses, and subsequently the Freemen, originally had rights over a vast area of land which they eventually lost. Under the Enclosure Acts of 1804 and 1811 they were granted 600 acres for use as common land, so that Freemen could graze their livestock and plant crops.

It became quite apparent that the average Freeman could not afford livestock and in 1845 parts of the common land were set aside for use as allotments, each being up to 500 square yards in size.

The Enclosure Act and subsequent legislation created and then amended a board of deputies. The board consisted of 21 Freemen elected by Freemen, whose task it was to manage the lands and property belonging to the organisation.

The board of deputies still exists, but all that remains of the land is seven acres in Aylestone purchased from the sale of the Freemen's Common in 1965 to the city council. This land is known as the Freemen's Holt and contains a number of one-bedroomed bungalows for the benefit of elderly Freemen and their widows. The estate is managed by the board of deputies.