What is a "Freeman"

As far as we in Oxford are concerned it means simply

"One who was free to trade within the ancient walls of the City of Oxford."

In Oxford from very early times one had to be a member of a gild (i.e. a Freeman) before he could trade in the Town. Those who were not Freemen (and were sometimes known as 'Foreigners') were permitted only to trade outside the Town walls - mostly in Holywell St. and St. Clements.