Oyez! Town Criers Then and Now

Text 1: Hear Ye! The Town Crier

1Hundreds of years ago, in towns across England and other parts of Europe, many people could not read. There were no radios or televisions, and printed newspapers were rare. To share news, many towns had a town crier.

2A town crier walked through the streets and stood in the market square, where crowds gathered. First, the crier rang a large handbell to get everyone's attention. Then came the famous call: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" This word comes from an old French word that means "hear ye," or "listen." Once a crowd had gathered, the crier read the news out loud in a strong, clear voice.

3Criers shared all kinds of news. They announced new rules from the king or the town leaders, told people when the market would open, and even described lost items. Because criers spoke for the town's leaders, they were treated as important officials. Many wore fancy coats and hats so people could spot them easily in a crowd.

4As more people learned to read and printed newspapers became common, towns needed criers less and less. Over time, most towns stopped having them.

Text 2: Meet a Town Crier Today

1Nadia Brooks is the town crier of a small town. A student reporter asked her about her job.

2Do towns still have town criers? Yes! Not many, but some towns in England, Canada, Australia and other places still choose a crier. We don't share daily news anymore, because people have phones and newspapers for that. Instead, we open festivals, welcome visitors and announce special events.

3How do you start an announcement? The same way criers always have. I ring my brass handbell and call out "Oyez" three times. People stop and turn around right away.

4What do you wear? My coat is red with gold trim, and I wear a three-cornered hat, much like criers long ago.

5Is it true there are contests for town criers? Yes. At a contest, each crier reads a short speech about their own town. Judges listen for a loud voice, clear words and good expression.

6What is the hardest part of your job? Keeping my voice healthy. I drink lots of water and practice breathing deeply, so I can be loud without hurting my throat.