[2] The presence of a unit called Great Tower Hill which covered only part of the area inside the city wall would later cause legal confusion.

The liberties had an administration separate from the neighbouring county and city, headed by the Constable of the Tower of London, appointed their own coroner, and had their own courthouse with general and quarter sessions and gaol.

The inhabitants had certain other privileges such as being able to claim any beast that fell from, and any swans under, London Bridge.

[5] The Whitechapel District was dissolved in 1900 and local government functions passed to the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.

The head of Brân the Blessed, a legendary giant, and King of Britain was said to have been buried on the White Hill, identified with either Tower Hill or the spot where the White Tower now stands, facing France, in order that its power would ward of invasion, particularly from that direction.

However, a jealous King Arthur dug up the head, declaring the country would be protected only by his great strength,[10] and this mistake led to the success of the Anglo-Saxon invasions.

The party moves along the Liberty's 31 boundary stones; at each one the Chaplain exclaims “Cursed is he who removeth his neighbours landmark”.

[15] Children take part in such ceremonies because they will have the longest recollections of them, carrying the detailed knowledge of their neighbourhood throughout their lifetime.

The ceremony is referred to in the name of 'The Liberty Bounds' public house (Wetherspoons) in the former General Steam Navigation Company's headquarters on the corner of Byward Street and Trinity Square.