In this paper, broadside ballads, which report and interpret news arriving in London during the Northern Rising and its aftershocks (1569–70), are discussed. Since the ballads share a distinctive motif (heraldic allegory), it is possible to trace, with some accuracy, the evolution of their representational tactics. In publications linked directly to the Privy Council and in the State papers, close parallels to the languages and chronology can be retrieved. The author of the article makes use of this evidence to provide further detail for a prototype of the public sphere developed in post-reformation England. Further, literary techniques for attracting readers are discussed, as well as techniques to emphasise the popular voice, as they were used by writers that were sympathetic to Privy Council directives.