How was news distributed in Medieval Times?

Answer 1

(Credit to historyextra for the answer.)

In 14th and 15th-century England, as the Hundred Years' War raged in France, towns and villages heard about events through official speech - primarily through their priests. The church communicated the successes (or setbacks) of their king to the populace: they required masses or procession for Thanksgiving in light of a victory, and prayers and invocations for hopes of a success at the start of campaigns. This helped to build public support for wars and the taxes to pay for them.

Official news could be delivered in both written and oral form. The towns of the late medieval Low Countries (modern Belgium and the Netherlands) were ruled by the powerful Dukes of Burgundy. Charters issued by the dukes were written communications, setting out new rights, laws or taxes, but they also carried a significant aural quality: charters would have been read out at specific places in towns, known as bretèches, or in churches or at important civic events.

Communication of legislation was important for medieval rulers, but, as today, people were also able to spread rumours and gossip. It is not always clear where medieval, or indeed modern, rumours began, but there is no doubt that they could spread quickly. In 12th-century England, kings did not stay in London - rather, they travelled around their lands. This necessitated an organised and efficient messenger service, ensuring that correspondence reached the king, and that royal letters, grants, patents and orders arrived at their intended destination. Messengers therefore became a permanent royal expenditure, paid continuously and travelling the kingdom to carry the king's word.

The English system was efficient, allowing news to be carried quickly. As well as sending written messages, hearing official news from their priests, or listening to rumours spread form village to village, medieval people could also see messages. Late medieval clothing carried layers of meaning, and can be considered a potent means of communication - this is to an extent true also of the modern world, with black for funerals or badges and wrist bands to support causes.