Mercurius Aulicus – January 29, 1643

Soon after the British Civil Wars commenced, Mercurius Aulicus began publishing in Oxford as the official organ of the Royalist supporters with financing from the Crown. According to The Writing of Royalism, 1628-1660 by Robert Wilcher, Mercurius Aulicus “was not a ‘printer’s private enterprise’ like the London diurnals, and has a significant place in the history of journalism as ‘England’s first official newsbook’.” The newsbook was edited by John Berkenhead, yet to turn 30. According to biographer P.W. Thomas, Berkenhead’s edgy and sardonic style of journalism eclipsed that of Peter Heylyn, a high-powered academic who served as the paper’s principal editor.