Episode 51 - Communication Evolution Pt 1 - The Town Crier

The Uncommon Communicator

Welcome to part 1 of our 5 part series on forgotten communications. In this series we will be uncovering the secrets of the past and how they apply today.

1. The Town Crier
2. The semaphore flag
3. The heliograph
4. The drum beat
5. The instructional hymn

The town crier played an important part in medieval society. Our eyes were opened to the fact that this really fed into an illiterate system. The Uncommon communicator is a big supporter of bringing literacy to the masses. to many, it is the start of freedom from an oppressive society
Coming from the French verb that means to listen, the town crier was a common sight (and sound) on the streets of medieval England. While ringing his bell, he would loudly inform the townspeople of news, proclamations, and other important information.

Since the dispelling of information was a very important task, the town crier had to be literate, an uncommon skill at the time. He also had to be loud and have an air of authority about him. Since announced messages were often negative and unwelcome (such as in the event of a tax increase), town criers were protected by law. In fact, that’s where the saying “Don’t shoot the messenger!” originates.

Although traditional town criers no longer exist professionally, there are many who put on the garb for festivals and fun. That is, except for Alan Myatt who is a two-time Guinness Book of World Records winner. At 112.8 decibels (as loud as a riveting machine!), he holds the record for vocal endurance by issuing a one-hundred-word proclamation every 15 minutes for a period of 48 hours.

Prior to widespread literacy, town criers were the means of communication with the people of the town since many people could not read or write. Proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts, were all proclaimed by a bellman or crier.

World literacy rate is currently 87% up from 12% as recent as 1820.

In ancient Rome, they typically proclaimed public business during the market days that formed a kind of weekend every eight days.

Criers were not always men, many town criers were women. Bells were not the only attention-getting device—in the Netherlands, a gong was the instrument of choice for many, and in France a drum was used, or a hunting horn.

Today’s Crier has taken on a life of its own

Twitter, Tik-Tok, Instagram, snapchat, Facebook

Keep in mind that the town crier was required to give the message of the crown, or government. Illiteracy led the listener to believe whatever was spoken to them. These would often be posted (although not many could read it)

Please take some time and support literacy :
https://www.see-words.com/2019/10/25/10-inspiring-organizations-that-promote-literacy-and-education/

The moment of enlightenment from today:

Be literate to the conve

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