Why did famed actor Damian Lewis herd sheep over a London bridge?

Fear not, Hollywood actor Damian Lewis – famed for the shows Band of Brothers, Homeland and Wolf Hall – is not giving up the day job.

Nor was he auditioning for a new role as a shepherd on Sunday (29 September) when he joined hundreds of others in herding sheep across the River Thames.

In fact, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning star Lewis was paying homage to an “eccentric” tradition: he is among thousands of people to hold the honorary title of Freeman of the City of London. Back in mediaeval times, one of the perks of the title was the right to bring livestock across the river to market without paying tolls.

The hundreds of Freemen who celebrated their mediaeval right to bring produce to market over the Thames this weekend may have been sad that some other ancient freemen’s privileges are off the table for now – including the right to carry an unsheathed sword in public and to be escorted home if found drunk.

Nonetheless, Lewis – who wore his grandfather’s wool coat and carried a crook as he led the throng herding the animals over Southwark Bridge – described the event as “fabulous”.

Lewis was representing the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, a trade guild dating to the 12th century. He said he was pleased to be part of “this eccentric, very British day, honouring an old tradition.”

According to Manny Cohen, Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, the ancient sheep-driving tradition was revived around 15 years ago and has become a major charity fundraising event.

Video editor • Theo Farrant