Oral Tradition:
- Word of mouth: News and stories were passed down orally from person to person.
- Town criers: Officials or individuals employed by towns or cities would make announcements and proclamations by shouting or using bells to gather people's attention.
Manuscripts:
- Handwritten manuscripts were produced by scribes or scholars and circulated among a limited number of people, such as the wealthy, clergy, or nobility.
Letters and Correspondence:
- Personal letters and official correspondence were used to communicate between individuals and groups, often carrying news and information.
- Diplomatic dispatches and reports from travelers or merchants also served as sources of news.
Public Performances and Plays:
- Theater productions, street performances, and minstrel shows often included news, political commentary, and social satire.
Religious Institutions:
- Churches, temples, and religious centers were places where news and information were shared during sermons, gatherings, and festivals.
Markets and Trade Routes:
- Merchants, traders, and travelers who moved from place to place carried news and stories from different regions.
Art and Visual Representations:
- Paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and other forms of art often depicted current events or significant moments, providing visual representations of news.
News Ballads and Songs:
- Ballads and songs were composed and sung to convey news and stories, especially during times of war or political unrest.
Public Notices and Proclamations:
- Official notices, decrees, and proclamations from authorities were posted in public places for people to read.
Coffeehouses and Taverns:
- These social gathering places served as hubs for exchanging news and discussing current affairs.
Handwritten Newspapers:
- Before the printing press, handwritten newsletters called "newsbooks" or "avvisi" were produced in some European cities, containing reports of events and rumors from various sources.