The Beginning of Newspapers
This collection documents the history of the printed newspaper. It begins shortly after Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in the 15th century and continues through European news printing experimentation in the 16th and early 17th centuries, through the earliest printed newspapers (meeting the modern definition) of the late 17th century, and concludes with the ...
Leaf Printed by Wendelin Da Spira – Circa 1470
In the 1450s, Johannes Gutenberg launched the first media revolution with the inventions of the printing press and movable metal type. These two inventions paved the way for mass production of books and publications for the first time in history. The widespread availability of the printed word on topics such as art, philosophy, politics, science ...
Spanish Fury Illustrated News Broadside – November 4, 1576
Throughout Europe during the 1500s, experiments were made in printed news, such as illustrated news broadsides that appealed to a mostly illiterate population. This engraved news broadside by Frans Hogenberg, the father of illustrated journalism, is dated November 4, 1576, and illustrates with contemporary hand coloring the Sack of Antwerp during the Eighty Years’ War, ...
Printed News Letter – 1614
With strict government control of the presses, handwritten letters and the spoken word were the most common news transmissions during this time. In this example from 1614, letters from Cesar de Vendome, illegitimate son of Henri IV, to his half-brother Louis XIII are printed for circulation. Henri IV was King of France from 1589 to ...
Vox Populi, Newes From Spayne – 1620
It wasn’t until the Thirty Years’ War, 1618 to 1648, that news began to be printed more regularly to satisfy an intense hunger for information about current events. By 1621, weekly news pamphlets or single-sheet corantos were being printed across Europe. According to Breaking News (Kyle and Peacey, 2008), Thomas Scott anonymously published Vox Populi, ...
Swedish Intelligencer – 1633
In England, a 1586 Star Chamber decree from the Elizabethan era required all news publications to be licensed and censored. “Hence printed publications of domestic news tended to be restricted to sensation, disasters, crimes, proclamations and the monarch’s speeches. Foreign political news could usually be reported in detail. Domestic political commentary was avoided,” according to ...
Perfect Diurnall – November 7, 1642
It wasn’t until the outbreak of the British Civil Wars (1642 – 1651) between the King and Parliament when restraints of news printing weakened. This breakdown in command ushered in a new era of newsbooks, such as the distinct a Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament, which was edited by Samuel Pecke, considered by ...
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 ...
Mercurius Britanicus – April 1 to 8, 1644
To rival the Royalist propaganda of Mercurius Aulicus, Parliamentarians began printing their own newsbook. Mercurius Britanicus first published in the summer of 1643 with every intention of returning equally contentious attacks and accusations. Mercurius Britanicus launched the journalism career of 23-year-old Marchamont Nedham, who used his editorial privilege to ruthlessly attack King Charles I. After ...
Moderate Intelligencer – September 25 to October 2, 1645
From March 1645 to October 1649, the Moderate Intelligencer, written by John Dillingham and published by Robert White, was one of the most reliable and well respected newsbooks because of Dillingham’s unmatched connections to both parliamentary and army leaders; thereby, providing a more moderate and impartial — perhaps fair and balanced — perspective, which was ...
Mercurius Publicus – April 3 to 10, 1662
The period from 1649 to 1660 in England is often referred to as the interregnum, or a period of political and military discord between monarch reigns. After the execution of King Charles I, England’s government was ruled by council, Oliver Cromwell, Richard Cromwell and council again, before General George Monck supported the restoration of Charles ...
Mercurius Publicus – May 16 to 23, 1661
Around the same time as Berkenhead’s selection, Henry Muddiman was appointed editor of the official newsbook, which was titled Parliamentary Intelligencer on Mondays and Mercurius Publicus on Thursdays. “It had not yet occurred to anyone to issue the same title more than once a week,” according to The News Revolution of England (Sommerville, 1996). The ...
