Understanding the Role of the Town Crier

The Historical Role: News Before Newspapers

Before mass media, the town crier was the beating heart of local communication. In a time when most people could not read, the crier’s voice carried official news: royal proclamations, market days, taxes, even executions. The role dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, but it was in medieval Britain that the crier became a fixture of civic life. Every borough had one, often the local beadle, who rang a handbell to gather a crowd before delivering the message.

Being a crier was a serious job. They had to be literate enough to read the proclamation, loud enough to be heard over a bustling market, and trustworthy enough not to alter it. They were paid by the town council, sometimes with a salary, sometimes with a uniform. The cry “Oyez, oyez, oyez!” — from the Old French for “Hear ye!” — was the signal that something important was about to be said.

The Uniform, Bell, and the Cry Itself

Today’s town crier is instantly recognisable. The uniform nods to the eighteenth century: a tricorn hat, a long coat with contrasting facings, breeches, white stockings, and buckled shoes. Many wear a tabard with the town’s coat of arms. Colours are bold — red and gold, blue and silver — because visibility matters in a crowd.

The essential tool is the handbell. It is rung sharply three times to command attention. Some use a wooden handle, others polished brass. The bell is a relic of the days when a bell was the only way to cut through the din of a busy street.

The cry follows a traditional pattern. The crier rings the bell, calls “Oyez, oyez, oyez!” or “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!” Then comes the proclamation, often beginning “Take notice!” The crier pauses between phrases. The whole performance is delivered in a carrying voice, projected from the diaphragm, not shouted. It is a skill that takes practice.

Modern Duties: Ceremonies, Competitions, and Community

Few town criers now announce breaking news. Their role has shifted to ceremonial and community events. You will find them opening fetes, leading parades, proclaiming the start of a market, or welcoming dignitaries. They are popular at weddings, anniversaries, and civic award ceremonies. Many work voluntarily for their town, while others are employed part-time by the local council.

Competitions are a vital part of crier culture. Annual contests, often at county shows or seaside towns, pit criers against each other in tests of volume, clarity, and presentation. Judges look for a clear voice, good diction, a confident stance, and a cry that is both traditional and engaging. There are categories for best cry, best uniform, and best pair (crier and escort).

Beyond competitions, criers raise money for charity, visit schools to talk about local history, and act as ambassadors for their towns. A good town crier can silence a crowd with a single bell ring, then have them cheering moments later.

The Craft of Crying: Training and Technique

Becoming a town crier is not simply a matter of owning a loud voice. It requires training. Most criers join a local guild or the national guild, where experienced members teach the basics. You will learn how to hold the bell, how to stand, how to breathe, and how to project without straining your vocal cords.

Key techniques include:

• Diaphragmatic breathing: Fill your lungs from the belly, not the chest, to sustain long phrases.
• Articulation: Over-enunciate consonants so every word is crisp, especially outdoors.
• Pacing: Pause after “Oyez” and after each sentence. Silence is as important as sound.
• Posture: Stand tall, feet apart, shoulders back. Hold the bell high, then lower it as you speak.
• Projection: Aim your voice at a point just beyond the back row, not at the ground.

Uniforms can be expensive to commission, but many criers buy second-hand or hire for events. A good brass handbell costs between £30 and £80. Proclamations should be short — under two minutes — and written in plain, punchy language. A typical cry might be: “Oyez, oyez, oyez! Take notice that the annual summer fete will be held on the village green this Saturday at noon. All are welcome. God save the King!”

How to Find or Become a Town Crier

If you want to hire a town crier, start by contacting your local council or town hall. Many towns have an official crier, and they can recommend someone. Alternatively, search for your nearest crier guild, which often has a directory of members available for hire. Fees vary, but expect to pay a modest sum — often between £150 and £300 — for a local appearance, plus travel. Always discuss the length of the cry, the content, and whether you want full uniform or just a bell.

If you fancy becoming a crier yourself, the path is open to anyone with a clear voice and a sense of fun. Contact a guild, attend a competition as a spectator, and ask about training days. You do not need a historic town to represent; many criers are independent, hired for private parties and corporate events. The most important qualities are reliability, a good memory for names, and the ability to smile while bellowing. It is a curious tradition, but a joyful one — and it keeps a little bit of loud, local history alive.