The British Newspaper 1651-1700

The British Newspaper, 1651-1700

The Ladies Mercury 27 February 1693
The British Library, 816.m.19.(7.)
Copyright ©1999, The British Library Board

• 1655 : Cromwell restores the licensing system and suppresses all newspapers except official publications such as Mercurius Politicus.
• 1662 : After the Restoration, the Printing Act brings in stringent press control.
• 1665 - Nov 16 : Oxford Gazette founded. Became London Gazette in February 1666. The world's oldest surviving periodical.
• 1679 : Lapse of Licensing Act brings a flood of unlicensed newspapers, later suppressed.
• 1693 : Ladies Mercury founded, the first women's magazine.
• 1695 : Parliament decides against renewing the Licensing Act; the way is cleared for a free press.
• 1696 : Lloyd's News founded, forerunner of Lloyd's List.
• 1699 : Edinburgh Gazette founded.

The Edinburgh Gazette 18-21 September 1699
The British Library Newspaper Library
Copyright ©1999, The British Library Board