The Crier

http://historicalfictionresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/you-must-come.html

In a time before moveable type, much less newspapers, getting information to the illiterate masses was an interpersonal experience.  You might wonder why the government would be interested in sharing information with their subordinates.  Today's politicians certainly seem like they would be much happier if they didn't have to keep us up to date on what is happening in the realm.  Within the frame of history, the role of the town crier is manifold. 
    The history of the town crier goes back to Ancient Greece, with the Spartan runners.  These men were essentially messengers and envoys.  These messengers would carry the news of the ending of political relationships (aka declaring war), or proposals of truce to reestablish those relationships.  Pheidippides was the man sent to Sparta, traveling 240km in two days, to request help against the Persians who had just landed at Marathon (and yes, supposedly died after sharing news of the subsequent Greek victory).  As the Roman conquest spread across Europe, the role evolved and steadily increased in importance. 
    In Roman Britain, town criers apparently carried news of battles from settlement to settlement and were not always met with polite responses (as an example, recall the movie "300").  Indeed, bearers of bad tiding were often put to death.  Over time, these criers (more, heralds) gained the protection of the Throne, leading to the saying, "don't shoot the messenger," as harming them was a treasonous act (and really didn't accomplish much anyway).  These messengers would be sent out by the victorious side to inform local population centers of their victories, and what changes to expect in the case of a new overlord. 
    William the Conqueror was a big proponent of the Town Crier, decreeing that all large settlements should have one to spread the news of the kingdom and to warm of danger.  These criers were generally respected men who were fairly well educated (they had to be able to read).  Either by shouting, or sounding an instrument (bells became popular in the 1850s) they would assemble a crowd, usually near the local tavern, and read their news.  Once recited, the news would be nailed to the post of the tavern for the general consumption (leading to "The Post" being used for newspapers ever since).  It was not uncommon for the position of Crier to be passed from father to son, for generations. 
    There were a variety of roles that related to the Crier.  Some towns had traditional Criers as well as "Bell Men," who would walk the town crying the news.  In some places, women were also used to cry news (though there were also husband/wife teams in which the lady rang the bell), but if the Town Crier was CNN, these ladies were TMZ.  Their information was on lost items, fresh food at the market, or a bit of local news.  All this was available to the common listener, for a small fee. 
    Being the Town Crier was generally only a part time job.  Before the establishment of the police force, these men might be empowered to uphold the law (he told everyone else what they were, didn't he?), an officer of the court, an auctioneer, or just about any other thing...

JAMES Williams, Parifh Clerk, Saxtone,
Town Cryer, and Bell-man --- makes and fells
all forst of haberdayfharies, groceries, &cc. like-
wife hair, and whigs dreft, and cut, on the fhor-
teft notice.
N.B. I keeps an evening fchool, where I teach at
reafonable rates, reading, writting and finging.
N.B. I play the hooboy accafionally, if wanted.
N.B. My fhop is next door, where I bleed,
draw teth, and fhoo horfes, with the greateft fcil.
N.B. Children taut to dance, if agreable, at 6d. per
week, by me, J. Williams, who buy and fell old iron,
and coals -- Shoos cleaned and mended.
N.B. A hat and pr of flockens to be c____ led for,
the belt in 5, on Shrof Tufhday. For particulars enquire
within, or at the horfe fhoo and bell, near the church.
on tother fide of the way.
N.B. Look over the door for the fight of the 3 pidgeons.
N.B. I fell good Ayle, and fometines Cyder--Lodgins for fingle men.
The Quebec Herald of Monday, January 18, 1790

    All of this is interesting, but doesn't really say why these criers were so important.  Okay, well maybe it is self evident, but I'll summarize anyway.  In a time when the world was impossibly large, these men helped to shape your little corner of it.  They let you know what was going on, who was in charge, and how that person in charge wanted you to act.  Through their proclamations you learned what goods were coming to market, the best ways to prevent a fire, and if the Saracens were expected to swoop down on you anytime soon.  The News is a key factor in forming a national identity.  It's a powerful tool of promotion and disparagement (depending on how you want to use it).  Delivered by well respected men, it is imparted with an air of authority and reliability.  By employing these men properly, a population can be more effectively controlled than by any force of arms.






General+Australia - http://perthtowncrier.com/support.html
General+UK - http://www.towncrier-davidcraner.co.uk/Pages/TownCrierHistory.aspx
General+Scottish - http://www.scottishtowncrier.com/history.html
Later History - http://www.historyinanhour.com/2014/01/08/history-of-town-criers/
Florence - http://historicalfictionresearch.blogspot.com/2012/10/you-must-come.html