Why was Stephen Fry walking a sheep over London Bridge?

Actor spotted exercising his right as a Freeman of the City of London

Stephen Fry certainly wasn’t feeling baa-shful this morning as he took to London Bridge with a sheep in tow.

His reason? Fry was wrapping up the filming of his “Fry in the City” documentary about the City of London. The prolific Tweeter was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2011.

As one of the long-held historical rights, a Freeman of the City of London can “drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge”. It has only been exercised on occasion in modern times, with one of the last occasions being 2008 when Lord Mayor of London Alderman Ian Luder drove a flock across the bridge to raise funds for charity.

He was nominated by the Red Cross International Fundraising Committee, in recognition of his career and support for a variety of good causes.

Fry is ahead of the herd then, in keeping the City’s tradition alive.

A shot of Grace the lamb, Doris and me twitter.com/stephenfry/sta…

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) April 8, 2013

 As bemused onlookers took to Twitter to wonder at the sight of the actor and his sheep, they pondered whether the wool was being pulled over their eyes.

When you pass @stephenfry taking his sheep for a walk over #LondonBridge you know it’s going to be a strange day! twitter.com/Scottsman1978/…

— We are Green Brigade (@Scottsman1978) April 8, 2013

 One thing is for sure – ewe don’t see that every day.