Extracts from earlier masters' indentures relating to Mint independence and freedom of entry and exit
Andlso the said Warden, Master & Worker & Comptroller or any of them as often as need shall require, shall & may take up as many gravers to grave Irons at his Majesties price; & also as many Smiths & Workmen & Labourers & other necessaries for & to the making of the said Irons & moneys aforesaid & the doing of all manner of business within the Mint as to the said Warden Master & Comptroller shall seem needfull to have. In wch taking of such Gravers Smiths & Workmen Labourers & other necessaries our soveraign Lady the Queen doth will & command by this Indenture all Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs & all other Officers, that they to the said Warden or Wardens, Master and Comptroller & to his & their Deputy & Deputies therein be assistant & aiding helping & fortifying as to right doth belong
And our soveraign Lady the Queen doth will & straitly charge by this Indenture all the Officers of the Tower aforesaid. That the Officers aforesaid, & all other Officers of the Mint & their servants & also all manner of persons bringing Gold & Silver to the 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 the chief Governour Constable or Lieuetenant or the Porter or any other Officer or person whatsoever he bee, for any manner of debt matter or cause whatsoever he be it be, & without any thing given to them or to any of them other to have such entry or issu {sic}.
And her said Majesty doth grant & confirm by these presents that the Officers of the said Mint shall at all times have hold & peaceably enjoy all places houses grownds as well builded as unbuilded within the said Mint which heretofore have been called reputed or taken for the said Mint, without medling Let or disturbance by the chief Governour Constable or any other Officers or Ministers of the Tower. And her said Majesty doth grant & confirm by these presents this Indenture to the aforesaid Officers & to all other Officers & Ministers of the Mint the Charters & Franchises to them before this time granted after the effect & purport of the same Charters.
Source
MINT 19/3/403, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKca. 1697, c. 396 words.