Good News: I can now drive sheep across London Bridge! 🐏 This time last week, I donned my dinner jacket and headed to Guildhall in the heart of the City of London with my partner Leyla Manshouri and some of my family members (Michael Coates, Karyan Coates - Nieto) to receive the Freedom of the City of London. This historic privilege was an important step on my way to becoming a Liveryman of the The Worshipful Company of Distillers, a Livery Company (guild) dating back to 1638. You may be familiar with the Distillers from my previous coverage of its philanthropy and the incredible Distillers One of One® Auction. The medieval term ‘freeman’ meant someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land. Town dwellers who were protected by the charter of their town or city were often free – hence the term ‘freedom’ of the City. (The good news is that this means I’m now officially not a peasant! 😂) From the Middle Ages to the Victorian era, the Freedom was the right to trade, enabling members of a Guild or Livery to carry out their trade or craft in the ‘Square Mile’ of the City of London. This included the right to bring goods to market (including livestock) across London Bridge without paying a toll. Today, this right is celebrated with an annual ‘sheep drive’ through central London, organised by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to know about receiving the City Freedom!
Where's the sheep?
Congratulations on this historic privilege! 🎉 Let's hope your sheep-herding skills across London Bridge are as smooth as your whisky-sampling technique at Glen Garioch—just with a bit less 'spillage,' perhaps? 🍷🐑 Always a pleasure to see tradition meet a touch of humor. Looking forward to your next adventure (and stories)! 😄
Christopher Coates, man, that's a huge deal! Freedom of the City? Sounds like you leveled up in life. What’s next on your agenda as a Liveryman?
Top man. Now you need some sheep!
Welcome to the gang.
Congratulations Christopher Coates 🎉🥳🎊👏🏻
Welcome fellow liveryman
Congratulations 🥃
Congratulations Christopher Coates !
Director | Editor-at-Large of Whisky Magazine | Chair of Judges for the World Whiskies Awards & Icons of Whisky (2020-24) | Whisky, Cigars & Travel Content Specialist
2wBonus photo: me and a 🐏