royal mail

[tiny tim]

Who founded the royal mail?

[Zen]

Sir Rowland Hill

English Post Office official who reformed the postage system with the introduction of adhesive stamps. His pamphlet Post Office Reform (1837) prompted the introduction of the penny prepaid post in 1840 (previously the addressee paid, according to distance, on receipt)

[Westminster]

I think Charles II established a ropyal monopoly of mail carriage to facilitate espionage (by opening the letters).

[mallory]

Sir Rowland Hill is right, he was born in Kidderminster where there is a statue of him outside the Town hall.

[Westminster]

Sir Rowland Hill 'invented' the pre-paid postal system. The question asked about the Royal Mail, which existed long before Hill's time.

[limpy]

henry viii invented 'royal'. mail, by sending written messages from palce to palace! 

[Marsh]

The Royal Mail's website
http://www.consignia.com/heritage/english/history/highli ghts_1600a.asp  supports Westminster.

[Border-Reiver]

Henry VIII founded the Royal Mail in 1516, when he appointed a "Master of the Posts". Charles I opened the royal service up to the public in 1635. Oliver Cromwell granted a monopoly in England to the "Office of Postage" in 1654. Charles II founded the General Post Office in 1660. Rowland Hill prompted the introduction of the Uniform (pre-paid) Penny Post in 1840.