The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, has received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the written word and his enthusiastic promotion of poetry, in particular, to the younger generation.

For the first time in the City of London’s history, the Freedom ceremony – most often, held in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall or The Mansion House - was conducted in the Barbican Centre’s Conservatory.

Simon was appointed as Poet Laureate in May 2019, succeeding Carol Ann Duffy, and is professor of poetry at the University of Leeds. During a career spanning nearly four decades, he has written over 20 collections of poetry, starting with Zoom! in 1989. His most recent work includes Magnetic Field: The Marsden Poems in 2020 and Blossomise in 2024, a limited-edition collaboration with artist Angela Harding.

He has translated major classic texts, including the Odyssey and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and written several non-fiction works, including Walking Home: Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way and A Vertical Art: Oxford Lectures. Simon is also an accomplished playwright, novelist, and the frontman of the ambient post-rock band, LYR.

Simon was nominated for the Freedom by the Recorder of London, His Honour Mark Lucraft KC, and Honorary Secondary of London, Fiona Adler, from the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).

Following the ceremony, Simon took part in a special public reading of a selection of his works. Before the reading, two members of the Barbican’s artist development programme, Barbican Young Poets, Geraint Ellis and Christy Ku, each read an original poem inspired by his work.

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said:

“One of our most celebrated Poet Laureates, Sir John Betjeman, lived in Cloth Fair and our greatest playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, bought a property in the City, so the Square Mile enjoys a tangible association with poets and poetry.  

“Of particular note, the City of London Corporation owns the beautiful Regency villa in Hampstead where Simon’s hero, John Keats, lived and wrote some of his most popular works, such as ‘Ode to a Nightingale.’

“With these links forged in our history and mindful of how Simon is a leading ambassador for poetry, it is entirely fitting that his achievements are recognised by this tribute from the City.”

Recorder of London, His Honour Mark Lucraft KC, said:

“As prolific and versatile as he is popular and accessible, Simon Armitage is one of our finest poets – now, almost six years into the historic position of Poet Laureate - and also a talented musician, playwright, and novelist.

“It has given my colleague, Fiona Adler, and I tremendous pleasure to support his admission into the Freedom, which is richly deserved, and we hope that he will have fond memories of his ceremony for many years to come.”

Speaking after his ceremony, Simon Armitage said:

“This is a wonderful and exciting honour. I’m a northerner and have lived in West Yorkshire all my life, but through poetry and all its different manifestations, London has become a home from home, the place I know best outside my own postcode. 

“The City itself has always been something of a mystery to me until recent years when I’ve started exploring it more for work and pleasure.

“The Freedom feels like an invitation to spend even more time in a place that feels truly historic yet determinedly futuristic, a sort of visa in my poetic passport. Thank you - expect me any moment.”

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.  

As well as being nominated  or applying for the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Recent recipients include comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry; Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold- and Silver-medal winning athlete, Lady Mary Peters; former Attorney General of England and Wales and Shadow Home Secretary, Dominic Grieve; and British actor, musician and filmmaker Giles Terera MBE, shortly after his performance in The Meaning of Zong at the Barbican in April 2023.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Licensing), City of London Corporation / 07795 333060 / andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

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About the Barbican:

The Barbican is a catalyst for creativity, sparking possibilities for artists, audiences, and communities. We showcase the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries to entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.

We are an international arts and events centre rooted firmly in our own neighbourhood, collaborating with local communities and putting the City of London on the map as a destination for everybody. Central to our purpose is supporting emerging talent and shaping opportunities that will accelerate the next generation of creatives.

As a not-for-profit, we rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations, including our principal funder, the City of London Corporation. Every ticket purchased, donation made, and pound earned supports our arts and learning programme and enables the widest possible range of people to experience the joy of the arts.

Opened in 1982, the Barbican is a unique and audacious building, recognised globally as an architectural icon. As well as our theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, we have a large conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, conference facilities, public and community spaces, restaurants, bars, and a picturesque lakeside oasis.

We’re proud to be the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, and a London base of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We regularly co-commission, produce and showcase the work of our other associates and partners including the Academy of Ancient Music, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Boy Blue, Darbar Festival, Doc'n Roll Film Festival, Drum Works, EFG London Jazz Festival, London Palestine Film Festival, Serious, and Trafalgar Theatre Productions.

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