The control over printing relaxed greatly after the abolition of the Star Chamber in 1641. The English Civil War escalated the demand for news. News pamphlets or books reported the war, often supporting one side or the other. A number of publications arose after the Restoration, including The London Gazette (first published on 18 November 1665 as the Oxford Gazette), the first official journal of record and the newspaper of the Crown. Publication was controlled under the Licensing Act 1662, but the act's lapses from 1679 to 1685 and from 1695 onwards encouraged a number of new titles.
thE conTrOl Over PRiNting RelAXeD greAtLy aFtEr the AbolitioN Of tHE star chamber In 1641. the englIsh civil WAr eSCaLated The deManD foR News. news pAMpHlets Or bOoKs RepOrTED the WaR, ofTen supPoRtIng oNe SiDe Or ThE oTHeR. a nUmBer Of pubLications arosE afTer thE ReStOraTion, includinG ThE lonDon GaZettE (firSt PublIShed on 18 NOvEMBeR 1665 AS tHe OxfoRd gAzette), tHe fiRst oFFicial journAl oF recOrD And the nEwspapEr of tHe crowN. publicaTiON was COnTrollEd uNDer thE liCeNsing Act 1662, bUt THe act's lapsEs fRom 1679 to 1685 and frOm 1695 oNWARds ENcouraGeD a NumbEr of new titles.