Extracts from earlier masters' indentures relating to Mint independence and freedom of entry and exit
And or said soveraign Lord the King granteth & confirmeth by this Indenture to ye aforesaid Officers & to all Officers & Ministers of the Mint the Charters & Franchises to
And or soveraign Lord the King granteth & confirmeth by these prsents that the Officers of the Mint {illeg}by {illeg}this Indenture to the aforesaid Officersshall at all times shall have hold & peaeably {sic} enjoy all places houses & grownds as well builded as unbuilded within the said Mint & wch heretofore have been called reputed or taken for the Mint without medling let or disturbance by the Constable Lieutenant or any other Officer of minister of the Tower. Indenture between Cha. I & Sr Robt Harley Mr & Wr date N{illeg}ovemb. 8 anno 2do Car. I & between Queen Mary & ye Vndertreasurer Comptroller Assaymastr Aug 200. anno 1 Mariæ
Sr Robt Harley gave 2000{illeg}℔ security to ye {illeg}King in ye Excheqr. The King to have all the profits of ye coynages & to allow the Mr & Wr 500℔ per an & ye Mr & Wr to accompt to ye Auditor. Mr Warden Mastr & Comptroller take care tofhat ye Ballances & weights be amended fro time to time. The Mr Bears all wast & charge of coynage & gives ye for 6s 5d ꝑ lbwt of Gold & 14d ꝑ lbwt of Silver & pays ye Moniers 2s ꝑ lbwt of ☉ & 8d ꝑ lwt of ☽ & 10d ꝑ lwt to ye King deducting 2s out of the lwt (of 62s) for coynage & paying back 3℔ to ye importer. The remedy for Gold th of a Caratt, for silver 2two penny weight. Indented triall pieces made there for scotland & sent to ye Excheqr {sic}Treasurer of Scotland & Generall of their Mint to make their monies {illeg}by. Warden pays ye Officers fees out of the profits of coynage & also 52℔ per an Dyet, & ye Mr 52℔ per an Dyet. ib.
And or soveraign Ld ye King willeth & straightly chargeth by this Indenture all the Officers of his Tower aforesaid that the Officers aforesaid & all other Officers of the Mint and their servants & also all manner of persons bringing gold & silver to ye Tower shall have free ingress & egress & issue by the Gates & through the same Tower & Franchises thereof inward & outward at all times without any arresting disturbance letting or gainsaying of ye Constable Lieutenant or the Porter or any other or person whatsoever he be for any manner of debt matter or cause whatsoever it be & without any thing given to any of them or to any other to have such entry or issue. Ib. Nov 8 anno 2do Car. I. Item May 16 anno {illeg}34 Henrici octav{illeg}æ, in an Indenture between ye King & S{illeg}r Martin Bowes Knt & Ralf Rowlet Es Mrs & Wrs. Item Nov 4, anno primo Henrici VI & Aug 20 an 1 Mariæ {illeg}Et an 2 & 3 of Q. Eliz.
Also or said soveraign Lord the King granteth by these presents that the said Masters shall at all times shall peaceably have hold & enjoy all places houses & grownd as well builded as unbuilded within the said Mint without medling let or disturbance of the Warden & Comptroller or of every other Officers of the said Mint &c except the houses there assigned & occupied wth other oOfficers of the said Mint as of old time it hath been accustomed & used for such times as they or every of them shall do or execute their Office for the true examination in and about the making of the moniesey aforesaid there & no long nor in otherwise. Ib. May 16 an 34 Hen. 8. Item Novem 4th anno primo Henrici sexti in ye Indenture to Gyles Salvebeney Knt & Barthu Reed Goldsmith
Source
MINT 19/3/401, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKca. 1697, c. 655 words.