Damian Lewis herds sheep over a London bridge in homage to a medieval tradition

LONDON — Actor Damian Lewis drove a flock of sheep throughout the River Thames on Sunday in homage to a centuries-old custom.

Lewis is amongst 1000’s of individuals granted the honorary title of Freeman of the Metropolis of London, which in medieval instances got here with the proper to convey livestock throughout the river to market with out paying tolls.

Greater than 1,000 freemen exercised that proper on Sunday within the annual London Sheep Drive, many carrying black hats and crimson cloaks. Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a criminal as he led the throng herding the animals over Southwark Bridge.

“It was fabulous,” mentioned Lewis, star of “Band of Brothers,” “Homeland” and “Wolf Corridor.”

Lewis was requested to characterize the Worshipful Firm of Woolmen, a commerce guild relationship to the twelfth century. He mentioned he was happy to be a part of “this eccentric, very British day, honoring an previous custom.”

Manny Cohen, Grasp Woolman on the Worshipful Firm of Woolmen, mentioned the traditional sheep-driving custom was revived about 15 years in the past and has change into a significant charity fundraising occasion.

There aren’t any plans to convey again different historic freemen’s privileges similar to the proper to hold an unsheathed sword in public and to be escorted house if discovered drunk.