Joad Raymond Wren

Joad Raymond Wren, a historian and author of The Great Exchange, dives into the intriguing world of news circulation in early modern Europe. He reveals how people in 16th-century London could swiftly learn about events in cities like Paris and Venice. Discussing the roles of merchants and ambassadors, he illustrates the complex networks that connected courts and markets despite widespread illiteracy. Wren also highlights the beginnings of formal news formats and the challenges of misinformation, drawing fascinating parallels to today's rapid information spread.