Robin Burfoot Town Crier for Rochester Kent
A town crier, or bellman, is an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court Black's Law Dictionary. The crier can also be used to make public announcements in the streets. Criers often dress elaborately, by a tradition dating to the 18th century, in a red and gold robe, white breeches, black boots and a tricorne hat. They carry a handbell to attract people's attention, as they shout the words "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!" before making their announcements. The word "Oyez" means "hear ye," which is a call for silence and attention. Oyez derives from the Anglo-Norman word for listen. The proclamations book in Chester from the early 19th century records this as O Yes, O Yes! Robin officially took up his position as Town Crier for Rochester on 1 December 2004. His job title in itself is rather unusual - he is the "Town Crier of the City of Rochester and the Medway Towns" and "Principal Water Bailiff"
Size: 3421px × 5132px
Location: Rochester Kent England Britian UK
Photo credit: © Maurice Crooks / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: Yes
Keywords: bell, bellman, burfoot, crier, custom, english, festival, hat, heritage, kentish, oyez, robin, rochester, sweeps, town, tradition, tricorne
