The Town Crier History – a Proud Tradition
As long as there has been news to share, there have been messengers to deliver it. In the early days, heralds or couriers relayed important messages. Town Criers appeared around the time of William the Conqueror and were commonly seen in England in the 1600s. Originally appointed to bring the King’s tidings, the office was later adopted by the military to deliver their news.
The concept spread to the private sector, first in large cities and then in towns and villages, as people strived to improve their means of communication. With the advent of the printed word, the Town Crier became nearly extinct, until a rebirth of the tradition began in Europe at the start of the 20th century. Today, the Town Crier is generally appointed as a representative of the mayor, and is expected to appear at official events.