Town crier

From Freepedia

A town crier is a person who is employed by a town council to make public announcements in the streets.

They usually dress elaborately—by tradition in a red and gold robe, white breeches, black boots and a tricorn hat.

They carry a hand bell to attract people's attention, as they shout the words "Oyez, Oyez!" before making their announcements. The words "Oyez, Oyez!" mean "hear ye", which is a call for silence and attention. Oyez in the French language means listen.

In Medieval England, town criers were the cheif means of news communication with the people of the town since many people could not read or write.