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The English Mercurie is a literary hoax purporting to be the first English newspaper. It is apparently an account of the English battle with the Spanish Armada of 1588, but was in fact written by the second Earl of Hardwicke, Philip Yorke, in the 18th century as a literary game with some friends. Although the hoax was debunked in 1839, copies of the Mercurie are still mistakenly referred to as factual accounts in the modern era. == The contents of the English Mercurie == With its gothic nameplate, faded typeface and Early Modern English spelling, The English Mercurie〔http://www.exmsft.com/~davidco/History/drake1.htm〕 has many of the hallmarks of an early English newsbook. It contains the dateline of Whitehall, July 23, 1588, and the claim that it is "published by AUTHORITIE", "For the Prevention of false Reportes". The four pages start with the spotting of the Spanish Armada by a Captain Fleming near Plymouth, and go on to describe the actions of Sir Francis Drake and Rear Admirals "Hawkins" (a reference to Sir John Hawkins) and "Forbisher" (a misspelling of Sir Martin Frobisher). The newsbook gives a vivid account of the Spanish fleet's actions, saying
The Mercurie estimates the size of the Spanish fleet at 150 ships, and provides information about ships captured by the English fleet. The second section carries the dateline of Ostend, July 27, which contains a report of the organisation of the Spanish invasion force that was to follow the Armada, with "thirty thousand Foote and eighteen hundred Horse". The newsbook then closes with a third report, dated London, July 23, and describes how Queen Elizabeth I held an audience with dignitaries from the city of London, including the "Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common-Council and Lieutenancie". 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The English Mercurie」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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