nations, with a recorded history throughout Europe, England, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, India, Nepal, Africa, South America, and North America, among others. Today, there are an estimated 500, of whom about half belong to a Facebook communication called “Town Criers of the World.”

Over time, Town Criers have been known by several different names. The Greeks and Romans first called them “Runners,” then “Heralds;” the Bible often called them simply "Criers," the English sometimes referred to them as “Bellmen;” and North American Natives (as well as in Greek mythology) called them “Messengers.”

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Ancient Greece and Rome

The first Town Criers likely were the Spartan Runners in the early Greek Empire (4th to 5th Century BC). Then, as the Roman Conquest spread through Europe, the position of Herald increased in importance (EG theyconducted negotiations) until it became a position of the court. Town Criers were also integral to their mythology (EG Hermes is the Messenger of Zeus, and the Herald of the Gods).

Spartan runners (heralds) were used to announce the severing of relationships, which would lead to an official proclamation of war. The herald would also be used to bear proposals of truce or armistice. This was a dangerous occupation - if news recipients didn't like the message, the herald might be beheaded!

Europe – E.G. France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium

In Europe the post of Town Crier enjoyed its heyday in the Middle Ages. It seems to have been resurrected in the 1960s in Switzerland. In France, the "crieur publique" was revived in 2003. Today there are about ten professional criers