Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c./Part 4/Notchel Crying in East Lancashire
NOTCHEL CRYING.
On Wednesday (in March 1859), there was, at Accrington, an extraordinary instance of the disgraceful practice of "notchel crying." The public bellman went round the town announcing that a certain man (an inhabitant of the town) would not, from that day forward, be answerable or accountable for any debt which his wife might contract. On the afternoon of the same day the same important functionary was employed by the wife to inform the inhabitants of Accrington that, as she was up to that day straight with her husband, she would not be answerable for any debts which he might contract; and stated, by way of additional information, that she had been allowed by him five shillings a week to find herself and him in meat and lodging; and that he was also not a very constant husband; and that if he had brought home the money which he had given to other women, he might have maintained them in very comfortable circumstances. Great crowds followed the bellman up and down during his oration. This ceremony is occasionally performed at the present time; but it is gradually giving way to the posting of small placards on the walls of the town or village where the unthrifty one resides. Not long ago a fair one retorted on her lord by a counter announcement, to the effect that as he had long been supported by her earnings, she would decline to keep him any longer, and tradesmen might beware accordingly.