History of British Newspapers
History of British Newspapers
Britain's press can trace its history back more than 300 years, to the time of William of Orange. Berrow's Worcester Journal, which started life as the Worcester Postman in 1690 and was published regularly from 1709, is believed to be the oldest surviving English newspaper.
William Caxton had introduced the first English printing press in 1476 and, by the early 16th century, the first 'news papers' were seen in Britain. They were, however, slow to evolve, with the largely illiterate population relying on town criers for news.
Between 1640 and the Restoration, around 30,000 'news letters' and 'news papers' were printed, many of which can be seen today in the British Museum.
The first regular English daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, was launched with the reign of Queen Anne in 1702.
Timeline
1476 William Caxton sets up the first English printing press in Westminster.
1549 First known English newsletter: Requests of the Devonshyre and Cornyshe Rebelles.
1621 First titled newspaper, Corante, published in London.
1649 Cromwell suppressed all newsbooks on the eve of Charles I's execution.
1690 Worcester Postman launched. (In 1709 it starts regular publication as Berrow's Worcester Journal, considered to be the oldest surviving English newspaper).
1702 Launch of the first regular daily newspaper: The Daily Courant.
1709 First Copyright Act; Berrow's Worcester Journal, considered the oldest surviving English newspaper, started regular publication.
1712 First Stamp Act; advertisement, paper and stamp duties condemned as taxes on knowledge. Stamford Mercury believed to have been launched.
1718 Leeds Mercury started (later merged into Yorkshire Post).
1737 Belfast News Letter founded (world's oldest surviving daily newspaper).
1748 Aberdeen Journal began (Scotland's oldest newspaper - now the Press & Journal).
1772 Hampshire Chronicle launched, Hampshire's oldest paper.
1788 Daily Universal Register (est. 1785) became The
Britain's press can trace its history back more than 300 years, to the time of William of Orange. Berrow's Worcester Journal, which started life as the Worcester Postman in 1690 and was published regularly from 1709, is believed to be the oldest surviving English newspaper.
William Caxton had introduced the first English printing press in 1476 and, by the early 16th century, the first 'news papers' were seen in Britain. They were, however, slow to evolve, with the largely illiterate population relying on town criers for news.
Between 1640 and the Restoration, around 30,000 'news letters' and 'news papers' were printed, many of which can be seen today in the British Museum.
The first regular English daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, was launched with the reign of Queen Anne in 1702.
Timeline
1476 William Caxton sets up the first English printing press in Westminster.
1549 First known English newsletter: Requests of the Devonshyre and Cornyshe Rebelles.
1621 First titled newspaper, Corante, published in London.
1649 Cromwell suppressed all newsbooks on the eve of Charles I's execution.
1690 Worcester Postman launched. (In 1709 it starts regular publication as Berrow's Worcester Journal, considered to be the oldest surviving English newspaper).
1702 Launch of the first regular daily newspaper: The Daily Courant.
1709 First Copyright Act; Berrow's Worcester Journal, considered the oldest surviving English newspaper, started regular publication.
1712 First Stamp Act; advertisement, paper and stamp duties condemned as taxes on knowledge. Stamford Mercury believed to have been launched.
1718 Leeds Mercury started (later merged into Yorkshire Post).
1737 Belfast News Letter founded (world's oldest surviving daily newspaper).
1748 Aberdeen Journal began (Scotland's oldest newspaper - now the Press & Journal).
1772 Hampshire Chronicle launched, Hampshire's oldest paper.
1788 Daily Universal Register (est. 1785) became The