Hollywood star drives sheep across Thames in ancient tradition
Source: The Worshipful Company of Woolmen
Hollywood actor Damian Lewis has driven a flock of sheep over a bridge in London as part of a tradition dating back centuries.
Lewis, who is best known for his roles in Homeland and Band of Brothers, was invited to play shepherd for the day on Sunday, ushering the flock across the Thames at Southwark Bridge.
He joined 1000 Freemen of the City in herding the sheep along the historic trading route for the London Sheep Drive.
The 53-year-old Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor was asked to attend by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. Dating back to 1180, it is one of London’s oldest livery companies.
“It was fabulous. I’m down here on this eccentric, very British day, honouring an old tradition where Freemen of the City of London can drive their sheep … toll free, free of charge, across the bridge – London Bridge as it was in the day – into the City of London in order to sell their produce,” he said.
“I just played shepherd, shepherd Lewis, and it was very fun … Thank you for asking [me]. I enjoyed it, enormously.”
Lewis wore his grandfather’s wool coat from World War I and carried a crook as he joined other freemen dressed in black hats and red and fur cloaks to herd the sheep over the bridge.
Worshipful Company of Woolmen master woolman Manny Cohen said Lewis’s great grandfather, grandfather, and his brother, were all lord mayors of London.
Lewis studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and “has a really close link to the City of London”, Cohen said.
Sunday’s sheep drive harks back centuries, to when sheep were brought over London Bridge.
It was revived about 15 years ago, with Southwark Bridge sometimes used depending on traffic plans.
“We’ve just started with a few sheep and it’s sort of taken a life of its own now, and it’s a huge event – it’s the second largest outdoor event of the City of London, other than the Lord Mayor’s Show,” Cohen said.
The day also offers stalls and raises money for the Woolmen Charity, which supports the wool trade, and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which works to improve “London’s most pressing societal issues”.
