It is believed to be the earliest truly provincial English newspaper, although the London Gazette was briefly published in Oxford in 1665.
The printer Francis Burges set up a printing press at the Red Well in Norwich during the summer of 1701.
The earliest surviving copy of the newspaper dates from 1707, but he appears to have established a weekly edition from early November of that year.
After her death in November 1709, ownership of the newspaper reverted to Francis Burges's former master, the printer Freeman Collins of London.
Collins sent his most trusted apprentices and family members to Norwich to print the newspaper.