Free Brother (or Freeman) A Free Brother or Freeman is one of the various levels of membership to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers or any other London livery company or guild, such as the Blacksmiths' and Goldsmiths’ Companies. Prospective members paid a fee to become a Free Brother, and the Company would write to the Guildhall requesting permission to make the prospective member a Freeman of the city. If granted freedom to the Clockmakers’ Company, the clockmaker would then be allowed to sell clocks in the City of London. In early modern England (1500 - 1770), city ordinances prevented apprentices from becoming freeman (or citizens) of the city of London before the age of 24. Only freeman could establish a business, take apprentices and join a livery company, such as The Worshipful Company Clockmakers.
