Town crier — Middle Ages

The story behind the answer

This official messenger rang a handbell—like the one pictured—to gather a crowd, then loudly proclaimed royal edicts, market days, curfews, and warnings in the streets. In a world where many couldn’t read, authoritative spoken announcements were the most reliable way to spread news, and these proclamations had legal standing; interfering with the messenger could be a punishable offense.

The cry “Oyez! Oyez!” (from Norman French for “hear ye!”) signaled that an official notice was coming. Dressed in the livery of the town or monarch, they would often post written copies to church or tavern doors after the shout. This role endured well beyond the Middle Ages, continuing in early modern Europe and colonial towns as a vital link between government and everyday people before newspapers became common.