A town crier is a person who is employed by a town council to
make public announcements in the streets.
The crier can also be used in court or official announcements.
Nowadays criers usually dress elaborately—by tradition only
dating to the 18th century, in a red and gold robe, white breeches,
black boots and a tricorne hat—but dress has changed through
the centuries.
A 1609 picture of the London bellman has standard Tudor dress
with a circular brimmed hat, lamp, and staff or pike.
They
carry a hand bell to attract people's attention, as they shout
the words "Oyez, Oyez!" before making their announcements
The word "Oyez" now means "hear ye," which is a call for silence
and attention.
In Medieval England, town criers were the chief means of news
communication with the people of the town since many people
could not read or write.
Royal proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts, even
selling loaves of sugar were all proclaimed by a bellman or
crier throughout the centuries.
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Town
criers were protected by the ruling monarch, as they sometimes
brought bad news such as tax increases.
To this day, any Town Crier in the British Commonwealth is protected
under old English law that they are not to be hindered or heckled
while performing their duties.
To injure or harm a Town Crier was seen as an act of treason
against the ruling monarchy.
A little known fact is that the term "Posting A Notice" actually
comes from the act of the Town Crier, who having read his message
to the Townspeople, would attach it to the door post of the
local Inn or Tavern.
Criers
were not always men. Many Town Criers were women. Bells were
not the only attention getting device - in Holland, a gong was
the instrument of choice for many, and in France they used a
drum, or a hunting horn.
In Europe as in England, town criers were the chief means of
news communication with the people of the town, since many people
could not read or write.
Proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts, were all
proclaimed by a bellman or crier throughout the centuries.
As the practical use of the town crier has disappeared, the
function became part of the local folklore.
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| A
year in the life of Wareham Town Crier |
As I have now been in office for a year, I would like to thank
Wareham Town Council for the opportunity to carry out the duties
of town crier.
I have had an eventful year with two different mayors. I have
accompanied the Mayors on various occasions including their
fund raising events, such as a Ball at the Springfield Hotel,
welcoming the guests, and at a Thomas Hardy evening. I appeared
in an 'Evening of Bloody Rubbish' where I rang a bell with no
clanger (until the end of the evening, when I could ring the
bell with gusto).
Christmas Day I accompanied the Mayor and Mayoress on a visit
to the hospital, Anglebury Court and the Parish Hall to meet
those less fortunate than ourselves.
The civic duties entailed my heading the civic and remembrance
parades which was quite a daunting task, but also humbling,
when I think of how long the traditions have been carried out.
Also accompanying the Wareham Mayor at the Beating of the Bounds
in Poole Harbour was an experience.
I have 'cried' many Saturday mornings in Wareham, and have had
great pleasure in talking to visitors and residents alike, and
in 'spreading the word'.
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The
weekly banter between the market traders and myself have become
an eventful feature of my cries.
I have also represented Wareham at various competitions, in
Blandford, Frome, Yeovil and Lyme Regis, and have met many town
criers, who have given me encouragement and advice.
Next year I plan to attend the Dorset
championship, the Guild championship in Alcester, and the European
championship in Holland.
The Wareham Carnival procession and the Father Christmas procession
saw me out again in all my glory, and were very much more relaxed
occasions and thus enjoyable.
I am always willing to attend any event which may call for a
'loud announcement' and maybe to add a bit of colour. Either
call the Wareham Town Hall, or Email me:
From old Law French (abolished by Act of Parliament in 1731)
'give hearing', often pronounced O yes, the court crier's call
for silence deriving ultimately from Latin audiãtis.
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