Abstract

In the course of the early modern period several developments in the fi eld of information processes and communication practices took place throughout Europe. Drawing upon a well-established scientific literature, the first part of this paper interprets these developments in information gathering as a fundamental task carried out by early modern political, economic, and religious networks in order to establish their predominance over the rest of society. Further, it problematizes some longlasting historiographical assumptions, which overemphasize the role of the printing press in the process of modernization. Drawing primarily on archival sources, the second part of the paper analyses the functioning of information processes and communication practices during particular moments of crisis, namely the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 and the Neapolitan Revolution of 1647/48. Ultimately, the paper suggests the examination of both long-term processes and short-term conjunctures in order to comprehend complex historical phenomena.