In times before newspapers, town criers perform the service of informing the public of news and government proclamations. The earliest criers are messengers who run from town to town announcing news. In medieval times, criers perform as spokesmen for the king and enjoy legal protection such that harming them is an act of treason. Criers are often court officials, sometimes elected, and perform other duties related to their position. After reading proclamations, they nail copies to posts or the walls of public buildings.