Town Crier’s Bell

Town crier’s bell, early 18th century. The sounding of this bell would have called Salisbury’s citizens to attention. At a time when many people were illiterate, news was proclaimed publicly by criers or heralds. News could include royal proclamations, local bylaws, market days and special events. Criers needed to be able to read, and to have a loud voice. Because some of the news they read out would have been unwelcome, harming a crier became a treasonable offence. The 1881 census lists Henry J Marchment, who was born in Salisbury in 1841, as the town crier of Alderbury, Wiltshire.