Extracts from earlier masters' indentures relating to Mint independence and freedom of entry and exit
And our soveraign Lord the King granteth by these presents that the Officers of the Mint at all times shall 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 Mint without medling let or disturbance by the Constable Lieutenant or any other Officer of minister of the Tower. Indenture between Cha. I & Sir Robt Harley Master & Worker date Novemb. 8 anno 2do Car. I & between Queen Mary & the Vndertreasurer Comptroller Assaymaster Aug 200. anno 1 Mariæ
Sir Robt Harley gave 2000℔ security to the King in the Exchequer. The King to have all the profits of the coynage & to allow the Master & Worker 500℔ per annum & the Master & Worker to accompt to the Auditor. Warden Master & Comptroller take care that the Ballances & weights be amended from time to time. The Master Bears all wast & charge of coynage for 6s 5d per pound weight of Gold & 14d per pound weight of Silver & pays the Moniers 2s per pound weight of ☉ & 8d per pound weight of ☽ & 10d per pound weight to the King deducting 2s out of the pound weight (of 62s) for coynage & paying back 3℔ to the importer. The remedy for Gold th of a Caratt, for silver two penny weight. Indented triall pieces made there for Scotland & sent to the Treasurer of Scotland & Generall of their Mint to make their monies by. Warden pays the Officers fees out of the profits of coynage & also 52℔ per annum Dyet, & the Master 52℔ per annum Dyet. ib.
And our soveraign Lord the 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 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 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 34 Henrici octavæ, in an Indenture between the King & Sir Martin Bowes Knight & Ralf Rowlet Es Masters & Workers. Item Nov 4, anno primo Henrici VI & Aug 20 anno 1 Mariæ Et anno 2 & 3 of Queen Eliz.
Also our said soveraign Lord the King granteth by these presents that the said Masters 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 with other Officers 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 money aforesaid there & no long nor in otherwise. Ib. May 16 anno 34 Hen. 8. Item Novem 4th anno primo Henrici sexti in the Indenture to Gyles Salvebeney Knight & Barthu Reed Goldsmith
Source
MINT 19/3/401, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKca. 1697, c. 655 words.