Description
The English Mercurie is a literary spoof purporting to be the first English Newspaper. It is ostensibly an account of the English battle with the Spanish Armada of 1588 but was written in the 18th century by Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, as a literary game with some friends. Mercurie concludes the size of the Spanish fleet at 150 ships and gives information on the number of ships captured by the English fleet. The second part is dated Ostend, July 27, with a report of the organization of the Spanish invasion force which was to follow the armada with “3000 foot and 1800 horse.” The Newsbook then closes with a third report, dated London, July 23, describing how Queen Elizabeth I held an audience with dignitaries from the City of London, including “the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, and Lieutenancie”.
