19–20 November 2025

Early Modern Gossip, Rumour and Reputation Conference

How did gossip, rumour and reputation function in the early modern period? This conference, organised by Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid) and the Huygens Institute (Amsterdam), will examine how social networks, information flows, and reputation management functioned during the 16th and 17th centuries. Letters written by Constantijn Huygens will be used to demonstrate the impact of communication on the formation of knowledge, social control and culture.

For who

The conference is open to researchers, students and anyone interested in early modern history, cultural history and communication history.

Advance registration is available via this website.

The role of the Huygens Institute

The Huygens Institute is co-organising this conference and will offer insights into social networks, communication and reputation in the early modern period through historical correspondence.