How did royal mail start

Royal Mail, the United Kingdom's postal service, has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. Here's a brief overview of how it all began:

Early Beginnings (1516-1635)

The first recorded postal service in the UK was established in 1516 by Henry VIII, who appointed a royal messenger to carry letters between the royal court and the nobility. This service was known as the "Royal Messenger Service."

In the 16th century, the English postal system was still in its infancy, with letters being carried by horseback or on foot. The first postmaster general, Sir Thomas Walsingham, was appointed in 1635 to oversee the postal service.

The General Post Office (1635-1840)

In 1635, King Charles I established the General Post Office (GPO) to centralize the postal service. The GPO was responsible for collecting and delivering mail throughout the kingdom. The first post office was set up in London, and the service expanded to other major cities.

The Penny Post (1840)

In 1840, the GPO introduced the Penny Post, a revolutionary new service that allowed people to send letters anywhere in the UK for a fixed rate of one penny. This made mail more accessible and affordable for the general population.

The Royal Mail (1840-Present)

In 1840, Queen Victoria granted the GPO a royal warrant, and the service became known as the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail continued to expand and modernize, introducing new services such as parcel post, money orders, and postal savings accounts.

Key Milestones

Today, Royal Mail is one of the largest postal services in the world, with a network of over 14,000 post offices and a fleet of over 10,000 vehicles. It continues to evolve, offering a range of services, including parcel delivery, mail sorting, and financial services.