how fast can messages be sent by horse(or other pre mech system)

What about semaphores or other light-generating systems? Sure, a chain of them would be needed, though and trained and skilled decipherers or interpreters.

Edit. Eeep. Ninja'd :p Still an idea though :)
 
not really, you only need those at the terminals.
in between, you just need people that repeat the signal.

semaphores and such are probably best idea, since it allows the transmission of more complex codes.

but terry pratchett worked it out nicely in his latest discworld novels, a system called 'the clacks'
 
Might be a dumb question but could a fire or quick lime light system transmit further at night than a mirror system could by day?
 
It says they could read the light from 45 miles without telescope, but I'm sure they used one to set up the contraption. The sender of the message needs to visually track his beam of light to the target, and for that you need a telescope.
in this case the senders were located on high points, and on known spots.

so they probably could use map & compass to find them.
 
Beacon fires

If a specific message might need to be passed with great urgency, beacon fires could be planned from point A to point B to relay a single, planned message. For example, when the Spanish Armada was expected, the English lit the beacon fires to warn that the ships had been sighted. No special technology needed, just a series of high points within sight. Of course, that can only send one specific, urgent message...but in time of need, very effective. (IIRC, the beacons of Rohan in Lord of the Ring were similar...)
 
in this case the senders were located on high points, and on known spots.

so they probably could use map & compass to find them.

But just because I know which landmark the observer is standing next to, doesn't mean I know where my light spot is shinning. I need to visually tract my light and illuminate you with a narrow beam. There's no way they could do that without optics at such distances.
 
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