What is a town cries?
Wikipedia to the rescue…A town crier, or bellman, is an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court. The town crier can also be used to make public announcements in the streets. Criers often dress elaborately, by a tradition dating to the 18th century, in a red and gold coat, white breeches, black boots and a tricorne hat.
They carry a handbell to attract people’s attention, as they shout the words “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” before making their announcements. The word “Oyez” means “hear ye,” which is a call for silence and attention. Oyez derives from the Anglo-Norman word for listen. The proclamations book in Chester from the early 19th century records this as” O Yes, O Yes!”
Where do Town cries come from?
As in England, town criers were the means of 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.
In Goslar, Germany, a crier was employed to remind the local populace not to urinate or defecate in the river the day before water was drawn for brewing beer.
Modern Day Criers:
When the need for a town crier disappeared, the position passed into local folklore. Informal and later formal town crier competitions were held from the late 20th century. Subsequently some cities and towns reinstated the post purely for ceremonial purposes.
Many are honorary appointments or employed part-time by the council. In October 2010 there were 144 towns in England and Wales with town criers registered with the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers.
How to celebrate Town Cries day
Well that all sounds fascinating but what use is having an official day if you can’t celebrate it in some way?
• Play Fable 2
• Wear a big hat at shout something of noteworthy importance
• Say Oyez, oyez really fast for 30 seconds
• Read a newspaper after all were would journalism be without these guys
Crier announcing princesses birth:
Source Wikipedia
