Before the British postal system was established, mail delivery in England was largely ad hoc and unreliable. Private couriers and messengers were used to carry letters and parcels between cities, but this was an expensive and often slow process.

The first organized postal service in England was established in the 12th century by King Henry I. This service was limited to the royal court and was used primarily for the delivery of official documents and letters. The king's messengers would travel on horseback between cities and towns, carrying sealed bags of mail.

By the 16th century, a more extensive postal service had been established in England, with the creation of postmasters who were responsible for the delivery of mail within their local areas. The first public post office was established in London in 1635, and mail was delivered by horse-drawn coaches.

The postal service was expanded throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, with the introduction of new services such as the Penny Post, which allowed for the delivery of mail within London for a penny. The creation of a national network of post offices and the introduction of standardized rates for mail delivery helped to make the postal service more accessible and reliable.

The Penny Post was a postal service established in London in 1680 by William Dockwra and Robert Murray. It allowed for the delivery of letters and parcels within the city limits for a penny, which was a significant reduction in cost compared to the existing rates.

Here are some details about the establishment of the Penny Post:

William Dockwra and Robert Murray were two businessmen who saw an opportunity to create a more affordable and efficient postal service in London. They believed that there was a market for a service that would allow individuals to send letters and parcels within the city limits for a low, fixed price.

The Penny Post was established as a private venture and was not part of the existing Royal Mail system. Dockwra and Murray set up their own network of post offices and hired their own postmen to deliver the mail.

The Penny Post began operations on March 27, 1680, with four main post offices located in different parts of London. The post offices were equipped with sorting tables and racks for the organization of letters and parcels.

The Penny Post was an immediate success, with thousands of letters and parcels being sent within the first few weeks of operation. The low cost of the service made it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including merchants, traders, and members of the general public.

The success of the Penny Post led to competition from the Royal Mail, which was forced to lower its rates in order to compete. However, the Penny Post remained a popular and successful service for many years.

In 1682, the British government granted a patent to Dockwra and Murray for the Penny Post. This gave them a monopoly on the service and allowed them to charge a higher rate for deliveries outside of London.

The Penny Post continued to operate until 1765, when it was absorbed into the Royal Mail system. However, its legacy lives on as an early example of a successful private postal service, and as a precursor to the modern postal system.