''Street Crying''

By Crusader1307

''Street Crying'' or ''Hawking'' was an (originally) Medieval term for Sellers of Goods to market their wares in Public. These Sellers normally had no permanent Business, and would sell their goods in The Streets. They crafted lyrical ''missives'' to induce a Buyer to purchase what they sold. Often, these ''performances'' were clever and inventive. By the 18^th and 19^th Centuries – such ''Crying'' was a very common feature in most European Cities (especially among Commoners). However, even The Wealthy experienced Street Crying and Hawking. More ''suitable'' Merchants (such as knife sharpeners, fruit and meat sellers, would sell their wares from more ''upwards'' locations. In truth, many of these ''Cryers'' needed to have a Permit issued by the local Police to establish their ''validity and honesty''. The practice is still found (to a lesser degree) in many Cities even today.