[4] However, the Act expressly forbid the extension of freedom beyond this group of people, providing that "no Person shall be elected, made, or admitted a Burgess or Freeman of any Borough by Gift or Purchase".

[4] The Municipal Corporations Act 1882, which replaced the 1835 legislation, continued to reserve the "rights and interests" of existing freemen, and again banned the admission of persons to the freedom of the borough by purchase or gift.

[5] Fifty years after the passing of the 1835 Act, Kingston upon Hull Town Council wished to have the power to grant the honorary freedom of the borough.

[8] The Act received the royal assent on 22 July 1885, and Kingston-upon-Hull Town Council moved quickly to use the new legislation to honour their High Steward.

At a special meeting of the council held on 29 July, the Marquess of Ripon became the first honorary freeman of Hull, and the first recipient of the honour under the 1885 Act.