<P> The honour was sometimes accompanied by a "freedom box", a small gold box inscribed to record the occasion; these are not usual today . In some countries, such as the United States, esteemed residents and visitors may instead be presented with the Key to the City, a similarly symbolic honour . Other US cities award Honorary Citizenship, with just a certificate . </P> <P> Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed". </P> <P> This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded the "pomerium", the boundary of the city, as sacred . Promagistrates and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their imperium immediately upon crossing it . An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only . Under the Republic, soldiers also lost their status when entering, becoming citizens: thus soldiers at their general's triumph wore civilian dress . Weapons were also banned inside the pomerium for religious and traditional reasons . (The assassination of Julius Caesar occurred outside this boundary .) </P> <P> Similar laws were passed by other European cities throughout the Medieval era, to protect public security and civic rights, even against their own king's troops . As a result, soldiers would be forced to camp outside the walls of the city during the winter months . The Freedom of the City was an honour granted only to troops which had earned the trust of the local populace, either through some valiant action or simply by being a familiar presence . </P>

Honorary freedom of the city of london award