As the long-running post office scandal continues to make headlines, HANNAH SKODA and RANA MITTER talk to Matt Elton about the longer history of postal systems – and why they’ve come to occupy such a central place in societies around the world
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
Matt Elton: We’re talking today about a story that’s made headlines again in recent months: the Post Office scandal, which has led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters since 1999 and damaged the reputation of a key institution in British society. But what’s the longer history of the Post Office that will help us understand how it came to play such a significant role?
Hannah Skoda: I’ve been reflecting on how crucial the Post Office and postal systems have been, and remain, to the smooth running of state. They’re essential to political community, commerce and foreign relations.
The history of the Post Office in Britain really begins in 1660. It was established by Charles II as the General Post Office. There’s a wonderful quotation from the Post Office Act of 1660, which says that “the well ordering whereof is a matter of generall concernment, and of great advantage as well for preservation of Trade and Commerce as otherwise”. You get a sense right at the start how much this matters for wider well-being.
The late 17th century witnessed the introduction of postage-date stamps and postmarks. Then 1793 saw the first uniformed postman and 1829, the first purpose-built mail facility. The creation in 1840 of the Penny Black – which is beloved to stamp collectors – was crucial in introducing ideas of prepaid postage and a uniform rate, rather than adapting the cost to every different item that was sent, which wasn’t particularly efficient. In 1969, the General Post Office was abolished, and the Post Office we know now was formed.
But there’s a much longer prehistory to that story, too. In the 12th century, a permanent body of messengers was established in the royal household for Henry I. Again, this is really part of the story of the centralisation of the English state. In the 15th century, Edward IV and his advisors were responsible for the idea of post houses where messengers could take on fresh horses so that longer, quicker journeys were p
