London Gazette

London Gazette. It is one of the official journals of record, or gazettes, of the British government, and the oldest surviving English newspaper. First published as the Oxford Gazette in 1665, it is the primary medium for official public notices, including royal proclamations, appointments, insolvency notices, and military awards. Its publication is mandated by various statutes, making it an essential instrument of state communication and legal record.

History

The publication was first issued by Henry Muddiman on 7 November 1665 in Oxford, where the court of King Charles II had relocated to escape the Great Plague of London. It was renamed upon the court's return to the capital. It has been published continuously ever since, making it one of the longest-running newspapers in the world. Historically, it has recorded pivotal state events, including declarations of war, such as those against Nazi Germany in 1939, and the accession of monarchs, like Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. During the Napoleonic Wars, it was a crucial source for dispatches from the Duke of Wellington and reports from the Royal Navy. Its archives provide an unparalleled chronological record of British state activity, from the Glorious Revolution to the modern era.

Content and publication

Its content is strictly official, comprising notices that are required by law or convention to be published. This includes royal proclamations, appointments to state offices, commissions in the British Armed Forces, awards of honours like the Victoria Cross and George Cross, corporate insolvencies, and changes of names or arms granted by the College of Arms. It also publishes notices related to The Crown Estate and certain parliamentary orders. It is published daily, from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, by The Stationery Office on behalf of His Majesty's Stationery Office. The format is austere, with text presented in dense columns without illustrations, maintaining a tradition of formal state communication.

Official status and uses

It holds unique legal status as one of the three official gazettes of the United Kingdom, alongside the Edinburgh Gazette and the Belfast Gazette. Publication in it constitutes legal notice for a wide range of statutory purposes, making it a foundational instrument in English law and Scots law. For example, notices of dissolution of partnerships, grant of Royal Assent to certain laws, and military promotions gain legal force upon publication. Its notices are routinely cited in courts, including the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and are essential for the operations of institutions like the Insolvency Service and the Ministry of Defence. Its authority is recognized throughout the Commonwealth.

Online availability

A complete digital archive from its first issue in 1665 to the present is available for free public access on the official gazette website operated by The Stationery Office. This searchable database is an invaluable resource for historians, genealogists, legal professionals, and journalists. The online publication carries the same legal authority as the printed version. Digitization projects have been supported by institutions like the British Library and The National Archives, ensuring the long-term preservation of this critical historical record.

Related publications

The other two official gazettes, the Edinburgh Gazette (for Scotland) and the Belfast Gazette (for Northern Ireland), share its function and legal standing but focus on notices pertinent to their respective jurisdictions. Broader government and legal information is disseminated through other official publications like Hansard, which records proceedings in the House of Commons and House of Lords, and Legislation.gov.uk, the official home of UK legislation. Historical newspapers like The Times and The Montreal Gazette, despite the shared name, are independent commercial publications with no official connection. Category:Government gazettes Category:Publications established in 1665 Category:1665 establishments in England