crier

Crier is a noun referring to a person who makes public announcements aloud, especially in towns or marketplaces. The term is most closely associated with the town crier, a civic official in medieval and early modern Europe and in colonial settings who proclaimed laws, notices, and news to the public. A typical practice involved moving through crowds with a loud voice, often accompanied by a handbell, horn, or drum to attract attention, and wearing distinctive clothing to signal official status.

Proclamations were read aloud so that residents could hear official information, particularly in communities with limited literacy. The role served both communicative and legal functions, conveying royal or municipal notices, market schedules, and public warnings. Over time, the spread of printing, rising literacy, and centralized administration reduced the practical need for criers, and the official function declined in most places from the 17th through 19th centuries.

In modern times, town criers are commonly preserved as ceremonial or historical figures. They may perform at heritage events, festivals, or as tourist attractions, sometimes delivering a ceremonial proclamation on special occasions to celebrate local history or civic pride.

Crier is also used as a surname in English-speaking countries, with variants such as Cryer. In literature, film, and contemporary media, the figure of the crier persists as an archetype of public notice and the authority of public announcements.