Q&A
How did people in hiding communicate with confidants before modern means of communication?
Richard Marsh
In the 17th century it was practically impossible to hide without at least one person knowing where you were – even Jesuits in priestholes needed food and water. A prisoner might have short messages smuggled into gaol hidden in an egg, while longer missives could be folded into packages small enough to secrete in a lady’s wig.
In a society more porous
