This final chapter falls into two main sections. In the first, an attempt is made to put some flesh on dry bones by considering, in such detail as the known facts make possible, the lives and misadvertures of some newspaper men and women of the late seventeenth century. This is mainly a story of risks taken and authority flouted, and of the retribution and suffering that all too often followed. In this early period the newspapers were far from being the fourth estate qf the realm. In much the same way as the actors had been considered rogues and vagabonds in the first half of the century, so the newspaper writers and publishers were given short shrift when they came up against those in authority. They could, and often did, annoy the government of the day; but their words did not strike terror into the men in office. When they offended they were dealt with summarily, and there was no public outcry about the punishment meted out to them. Their readers expected them to be bold and outspoken; yet, when they suffered the consequences, their supporters melted away.

The second section is concerned with the undefined and often casual organisation of the newspapers. If we ask, ‘Who did what?’ and ‘Who was responsible for what was printed and published?’ the answers inevitably introduce an element of speculation, and certainly do not disclose a uniform pattern of responsibility.