World Famous Criers

Chester has heard the sound of crying since its very beginning.  Soldiers of the 20^th Roman Legion would have assembled in the hall of the Principia (now the Forum Arcade) for a daily ear-bashing from their commanding officer.  The Cross, where the four main streets of the Roman fortress still intersect, has been the site of public proclamations since medieval times, and remains so today.

One particular proclamation by a fifteenth century Crier is more famously remembered than any other. A bloody uprising by Welsh forces had centered on Chester.   Henry, Prince of Wales (future Henry V) was also Earl of Chester and on 4 Sept 1403 he wrote to the Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City of Chester, commanding that all Welsh people and Welsh sympathisers should be expelled from the City; none should enter the city before sunrise or stay after sunset on pain of decapitation (not hanging, but it would have the same effect!).

The King specified that these new laws should be "proclaimed publicly in your bailiwick for the informing of the people".  They have never been repealed!

Today more welcoming of its Welsh visitors, the City of Chester can justifiably claim to have more vigorously preserved the tradition of the Crier than any other town or city in Britain.  At the same High Cross from which Charles I was proclaimed a traitor in 1646, a daily proclamation is now made in the summer months for the benefit of tourists.  The Council has appointed the world's first husband and wife Town Crier team, David & Julie Mitchell, to continue this historic tradition.

The present appointees find themselves engaged in activities undreamt of by their historical predecessors.   For example, David and Julie flew to Vancouver Island, British Columbia in 1999 for the 8th World Town Crier Championship, where they proclaimed the virtues of Chester as a tourist destination.

Out of a field of 61 Criers from seven nations, David was placed 3^rd and Julie 6^th.  Having competed on equal terms with the men, Julie is now officially the World's Top Female Crier.

David was also runner-up in the Best-Dressed category, in a new costume designed and made by Julie.  There then followed a World Invitational Cry in Anacortes, over the border in the USA.  This time it was Julie who came away with the Best-Dressed Award.

Did you know?

• The three Oyezs which preface every proclamation date from the time of our Norman Conquerors. "Oyez!" is the medieval French equivalent of our "Hearken!"
• British Town Crier Championship
  2008 LCTC British Champion (David)
  2008 Alnwick People's Champion (David)
  2008 LCTC Best Dressed Crier (David)
  2008 LCTC Best Content of Cry (David)
  2008 LCTC Best Dressed Escort (Spencer)
  2008 LCTC Highest Placed Female Crier (Julie)
  2007 Chester Chronicle's "Pride of Cheshire Award" (David)
  2006 LCTC Highest Placed Female Crier (Julie)
  LCTC = Loyal Company of Town Criers)
• Chester was the first location on mainland  Britain to host a World Town Crier Tournament.
• Chester's Town Criers, David and Julie Mitchell, are the world's first husband and wife Town Crier partnership.
• Chester is the only destination in Britain to boast regular midday proclamations in the summer months.
• The season of midday proclamations has now been extended, and will run from May 1st until August 31st.
• Chester's Julie Mitchell was the highest-ranking female Crier at the 1999 World Town Crier Championship.
• Julie has made costumes for 12 British Town Criers, and one for the Town Crier of Colac in Australia.
• Colac's Crier, Howard Barker, was so inspired by his Chester-made livery that he went on to become Best Dressed Crier at the 1999 Australian Championship, and Australian Champion into the bargain.
• Julie Mitchell is believed to be the World's only Lady Beadle. Historically the Beadle's duties included not only responsibility for the workhouse and for apprentices, but also for protecting the Mayor during his public appearances.
• David was the Town Crier in the Granada TV production of 'Moll Flanders' and in '24 Hour Party People' with Steve Coogan.
• As well as their official duties, David and Julie perform bridal wake-ups, church proclamations and act as Master of Ceremonies at the reception.
• David is the Secretary of the Loyal Company of Town Criers and a Fellow of the Britannic Guild of Toastmasters.
• The role of Chester's Criers as promoters of Chester isn't confined to their participation in competitions. They are also a focus for press and broadcast media. For example Japanese broadcasters NHK spent four days in Chester filming David and Julie's activities for a TV documentary. The resultant programme has been shown three times on Japanese television.