Timeline of Key Dates
Throughout the centuries, the basic practice of a messenger carrying mail from sender to recipient has remained virtually unchanged.
Choose a Century, Decade or Year to find out how Britain's postal service developed.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| Jan 1600Early 1600s - Calls for postal reform | An increasing population and increasing trade combine with the growing demand from government officials for reform of the postal service. |
| Nov 1605November 1605 - The Gunpowder Plot | Guy Fawkes and his accomplices plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Image: Houses of Parliament - stamp from Celebrating England issue, 23 April 2007  |
| May 1609May 1609 - Unofficial carriers are banned | A Proclamation forbids unofficial letter and packet carriers, and gives the State the monopoly over this. Chiefly, the Proclamation aims to ensure that all foreign mails are dealt with by the State. |
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