Town Crier
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Le Crieur public | The Town Crier
Bell-toting town crier ("Le clocheteur des trépassés", 1887 drawing by Victor Fournel, Wikimedia Commons).
The crieur public or town crier, was a person with an especially strong and loud voice who yelled out public notices issued by authorities or individuals, sometimes preceded by an “oyé, oyé, oyé!” (meaning “listen!”). His announcements were usually made on Sundays in front of the church, where the largest number of people tended to gather. He wandered through the streets and shook a bell (or used some other loud instrument such as a drum or trumpet) before loudly shouting out the ordinances of the seigneur, the orders of the militia captain, other news of public interest, or items for sale. The services of the town crier were essential, as most people in New France did not know how to read a newspaper or posted notices—this was the only way for them to get their news or be made aware of new by-laws.
Known persons who had this occupation: Edouard Daigle, Philip Hooper, Ambroise D. Joubert, Michel Landry.
"The Town Crier" (1891 drawing by an unknown artist with initials W.H.O., Wikimedia Commons).
Meet Ottawa town crier Daniel Richer dit Laflèche, Canada’s last full-time town crier
Sources:
Alfred Franklin, Dictionnaire historique des arts, métiers et professions exercés dans Paris depuis le treizième siècle (Paris, H. Welter, 1906), 233.
Jeanne Pomerleau, Métiers ambulants d'autrefois (Montréal, Québec: Guérin, 1990), 347-351.