Avvisi (Italian: [avˈviːzo]; plural: avvisi) were hand-written newsletters used to convey political, military, and economic news quickly and efficiently throughout Europe, and more specifically Italy.
Year & Period:
During the early modern era (1500-1700).
General
In the beginning avvisi were very similar to letters written from one dignitary to another, but diverged from such letters in the sixteenth century with more standardized practices.
In the beginning avvisi were very similar to letters written from one dignitary to another, but diverged from such letters in the sixteenth century with more standardized practices.
Meaning
In Italian, the word avviso translates to notice, warning, advice, or announcement.
In Italian, the word avviso translates to notice, warning, advice, or announcement.
Origin
The avvisi found their origins, and peaked, in the early modern Italian world - primarily Rome and Venice. The popularity and distribution of the avvisi was driven by each court's desire to know what the opposing and even the allied courts are up to. News networks spread all across Europe, but the avviso itself was generally created in either Rome or Venice, with the rest of Europe simply consuming.
The avvisi found their origins, and peaked, in the early modern Italian world - primarily Rome and Venice. The popularity and distribution of the avvisi was driven by each court's desire to know what the opposing and even the allied courts are up to. News networks spread all across Europe, but the avviso itself was generally created in either Rome or Venice, with the rest of Europe simply consuming.
Importance
Avvisi influenced many aspects of the early modern world including public opinion, political battles, the nature of propaganda, careers, and historical records.
Avvisi influenced many aspects of the early modern world including public opinion, political battles, the nature of propaganda, careers, and historical records.
Types
Avvisi can be divided into two categories: 'public' avvisi and 'secret' avvisi, though each copy was often written by the same person.
Avvisi can be divided into two categories: 'public' avvisi and 'secret' avvisi, though each copy was often written by the same person.
-Public avvisi were news letters that were available to anyone who wished to travel to a distribution center in a city.
-Secret avvisi were news letters available to a restricted audience, much akin to duplicated personal letters.
Distribution
Distribution of the avvisi began with the sources of information. Reporters (newsletter writers, menanti, reportisti, gazzettieri) had networks of contacts filtering information from chancelleries, Catholic churches, Protestant churches, foreign embassies, and shops. Information was gathered and put together individually or at a Scrittoria (writer's workshop).
Distribution of the avvisi began with the sources of information. Reporters (newsletter writers, menanti, reportisti, gazzettieri) had networks of contacts filtering information from chancelleries, Catholic churches, Protestant churches, foreign embassies, and shops. Information was gathered and put together individually or at a Scrittoria (writer's workshop).
Range of Distribution
The range of information presented within avvisi was very broad, including countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The range of information presented within avvisi was very broad, including countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Reporters
Writers of avvisi received very little recognition which, quite often, was exactly how they wanted it. Fear of censorship kept writers from signing work under their own name - for in the early modern era censorship could mean death.
Writers of avvisi received very little recognition which, quite often, was exactly how they wanted it. Fear of censorship kept writers from signing work under their own name - for in the early modern era censorship could mean death.
Censorship
Censorship of avvisi began with Pope Pius V's campaign, beginning in 1570CE. Writers caught distributing what the Catholic Church determined to be defamatory were punished severely - several examples of punishments include death, imprisonment, and torture (sometimes to death).
The harsh punishments did not prevent writers from continuing in their task, though they were forced to use pseudonyms.
Protest
The avvisi were blamed for causing disputes by church officials and writers. Religious leaders were not alone in banning newsletters - more secular leaders also laid down limitations and prohibitions, including Venice's Council of Ten who held bans until at least 1567.
Print
It was not until the middle of the seventeenth century that printed avvisi became more common, and even then Venice and Rome abstained from print. Due to restrictions from censorship on printed works, a sense of urgency, and a desire for personalization hand written avvisi would not be easily replaced by the printing press. Further, printed avvisi were less robust in an effort to avoid censors and cut editing time.
It was not until the middle of the seventeenth century that printed avvisi became more common, and even then Venice and Rome abstained from print. Due to restrictions from censorship on printed works, a sense of urgency, and a desire for personalization hand written avvisi would not be easily replaced by the printing press. Further, printed avvisi were less robust in an effort to avoid censors and cut editing time.
Perished
Printed works were produced much more slowly and as a result the public would lose interest in the topic before it came to print.
Printed works were produced much more slowly and as a result the public would lose interest in the topic before it came to print.
References
Wikipedia, Cambridge, Unica, Unict, Unibo
Wikipedia, Cambridge, Unica, Unict, Unibo
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