Family still continue in Cardiganshire and doubtless we had much of our knowledge from their Predecessors who revived this work in Cardiganshire They also entered upon another work of Copper at Keswick in Cumberland being within the Royalties of the Earl of Northumberland formerly granted to him from the Crown together with all Mines c. Whereupon the Earl opposed Houghsetter but the matter being brought to Tryal between the Queen and the Earl it was the opinion of the Judges that notwithstanding his Grant the Queen had power to search for Treasure in any ones ground So that it is good for Princes and even for mean Lords to keep a Claim to their Prerogatives and Customes lest time as in this case should cause an opposition For 70 years intermission made that questionable which for many ages before was out of question But this Suit being ended the Abstract of which Proceedings is hereto annexed to prevent the like occasion for the future the Queen May 28. in the 10th year of her Reign erects a Corporation of which William Earl of Pembroke was the first Governour and Robert Earl of Leicester James Lord Monjoy Sir William Cecill Assistants and many other Persons of Qualitie joyned consisting in all of 24 Persons and as many Shares and those Shares subdividable into half and quarter parts so that they might consist of 96 Persons their Votes being according to the proportion they had of Shares And this Society was and is entituled The Society for the Mines Royal and they have the Grant and care of Gold Silver Copper c. within 8 English Counties hereafter recited and of all Wales As for the Laws and Rules by which they were managed they are also annexed These Persons thus incorporated by a joynt Stock wrought several Mines with good success The Queen did also in the 7th year of her Reign grant to William Humfreys and Christopher Shute a German all Mines Minerals and Subterranean Treasures except Copperice and Allom which should be found in all other parts of England not mentioned in the former Patent or within the English pole in Ireland by the name of Gold Silver Copper Tin Lead Quicksilver Cadmian Oar or Lapis Calaminaris and all manner of Ewres or Oars simple or pure mixt or compounded for Latten Wire or Steel c. And also on the same 28th of May in the 10th of her Reign the Queen frames the Participants into a Corporation by the name of The Society for the Minerals and Buttery works As for their Laws and Rules they are also annexed with the other This also was look'd upon as so considerable a matter to the Crown that Sir Nicholas Bacon then Lord Keeper the Duke of Norfolk William Earl of Pembroke Robert Earl of Leicester William Lord Cobham Sir William Cecill Sir Walter Myldmay Sir Henry Sidney Sir Francis Jepson Sir William Gerard with 29 more considerable Persons Gentlemen Lawyers Citizens and Foreiners were Participants And this Society consisted of 36 Shares subdividable also into half and quarter parts so that it was capable of 144 Shares And this also by a joynt Stock did effect great things which turned to good advantage both to the King and to the Society THE ARMS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE MINES ROYAL Given Aug. 26 1568. Anno 10. Eliz. 1568 This Coat is blazoned in Page 24. and the other Coat in Page 23. above it As they are Blazon'd Silver with a Mount Vert. A Man working within a Mine with two Hammers and a Lamp all in their proper colours on a Chief Azure A Cake of Copper between a Bezant and a Plate on a Wreath Silver and Azure A Demy man called in Dutch the Schicht Master with an Escocheon on his Breast Or and Azure per Bend inverted in one of his Hands an Instrument called a Wedge and in the other Hand a Compass Gold mantled Silver doubled Azure supported with two Men the one called the Hammer-man with a Hammer on his Shoulder and the other the Smelter with a Fork in his Hand all in proper colours THE ARMS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE MINERAL AND BATTERY WORKS Given also Anno 10. Eliz. As the are Blazon'd The Field Azure upon the Base point Vert a Dorick Argent supported by a Lion and a Gryffon armed and languid Gules On the top of the Pillar a Ducal Crown Or. On the Chief an Annulet Argent between two Bezants of the same The Crest on an Helmet and Wreath Argent and Vert. Two naked Arms and Hands supporting a Cake of Copper proper the Supporters an ancient Man in a Gown wearing an Headpiece on it a Cressent and holding one hand on the Escocheon in the other a Pickax on the other side a Woman holding also the Escocheon with one hand and in the other a Quadrant CHAP. XVIII KING JAMES ABout the second of King James both the Societies thought fit to renew their Charters with some Additional Powers also annexed and then William Earl of Pembroke was Governour to both Societies and so continued till his death in an Annual Election CHAP. XIX CHARLES I. AFter the death of William Earl of Pembroke in the Year 1630 Philip Earl of Pembroke was chosen Governour of both Societies and in this Kings Reign about the Year 1639 there was some Dispute between Sir Hugh Middleton and Sir Richard Price concerning the Mines at Tallabent in Wales whither Royal or not Royal and this was also about 70 years after the Tryal with the Earl of Northumberland Whereupon several Eminent Lawyers subscribed their Opinions hereto also annexed and the matter was soon quieted Then from 1641 to 1647 no Governour was chosen but the Mines in Wales continued working under Mr. Thomas Bushell who made them very serviceable to the Martial Concerns of the King during the Civil Wars CHAP. XX. CHARLES II. IN the Year 1649 Philip dies then his Son Philip now living was chosen Governour of both Companies and in 1662 the Lord Anthony Ashly-Cooper Chancellour of the Exchequer and one of His Majesty's Privy Councellours was joyned as Governour of both Societies with the Earl In 1668 the Earl of Pembroke being willing to quit the Government in respect of his retirement Pr. Rupert Duke of Bavaria and Cumberland Knight of the Order of the Garter and one of His Majesty's Privy Councellours was chosen together with the Lord Ashly-Cooper Governour of both Societies and the Deputy Governours of both Societies are now the Lord Brunker Sir Robert Murray Knight Sir John Pettus Knight Sir Francis Cobb Knight Col. Ashburnam Cofferer to His Majesty Thomas Foley Esquire Edward Swith and Edward Henshaw Esquires The Assistants to both Societies are Col. Ashburnham Edward Smith Paul Foley John Darrell John Wright Edward Henshaw Anthony Knightsbridge Dudly Dudly and Edward York Esquires Henry Kemp Thomas Hayes Roger Norton and Richard Reynoll Gentlemen and Citizens The Auditors Treasurers Register and Serjeant are chosen by the Governours and Assistants as occasion requires There are other Members
covenant to pay unto the Queen a 10th part of all Gold Silver and Quicksilver 3. Gold And for Gold oar to pay for every 100 weight 8 pound weight of fine Gold 4. Silver And for Silver the 20th part and the Queen to have the Preemption of the Oars paying in every ounce of Gold 8 d. and in Silver 1 d. less then She can buy elsewhere tobe paid within 30 days 5. Tin And for Tin such portion as the Crown hath in Devonshire or Cornwall 6. Lead For Lead such Customs and Profits as are used in other parts of the Realm 7. Callamint Callamint the 20th part to the Crown or the value thereof 8. For every 100 weight of fine Copper during the first 6 years 2 s. or the 20th part at the election of the Crown Copper and after those six years 2 s. 6 d. or the 15th part or the value thereof in Monie 9. The Queen to have what She will of Copper for Her Monie giving half a years notice 10. If not then power to transport the rest paying the Customs 11. License to transport the Ewres where no Wood is 12. No former Grant to any other shall prejudice Humfrey's Grant 13. The Copper and Tin to be brought to the place of Coinage to be marked not above 1. Mile by Land or 12 by Water 14. License to bring over Workmen being no Enemies to the Crown and they to be indenizon'd by the Great Seal without charge 15. Not above 8 Strangers to be Partners at one time and not to have above one third part of the whole 16. Humfrey and Sbutz c. may bring over Victuals and Tools without Custom 17. The Queen to have power to resume paying to Humfrey and Shutz their Heirs or Assigns such recompence as shall be adjudged by 6 Citizens whereof 2 to be Aldermen 18. If the Queen let them again then Humfrey and Shutz to have the Refusal CHAP. IX An Abstract of the first Incorporation of the Company of the Mineral and Battery-works dated the 28th of May in the 10th Year of Queen ELIZABETH 1. THe Queen reciting former Letters Patents dated the 17th of September in the 7th Year of Her Reign unto William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz whereby She grants unto them to search dig and mine for the Callamine stone in all places of England and within the English Pale in Ireland and the onely use and commoditie thereof to have and all sorts oâ— Battery wares c. and at their charge to erect Houses necessary c. with divers other Powers c. And also reciting other Letters Patents dated the same Day and Year whereas before that time the Queen had given privilege to Cornelius Devoz for digging Allom and Copperice c. And reciting further the Grant to Thomas Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter to dig for Oars of Gold Silver Copper and Quicksilver in the Counties of York Lancaster Cumberland Westmerland Cornwall Devon Gloucester Worcester and in Wales c. with liberty to grant and assign Parts and Portions c. Ratifies and confirms all Immunities and Privileges to Will. Humfrey and Christopher Shutz c. And 2. Doth give and grant unto Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Thomas Duke of Norfolk William Earl of Pembroke Robert Earl of Leicester William Lord Cobham Sir William Cecill Knight Sir Walter Mildmay Knight Sir Henry Sidney Knight Sir Francis Jobson Knight Sir William Garrat Knight Rowland Hayward John Tamworth Peter Osburne Thomas Cecill Francis Agard Thomas Fleetwood William Roberts Henry Codenham Robert Christmas Roger Wetherall William Patten Christopher Chewt Thomas Smith William Dodington William Birde George Barnes William Humfrey Christopher Shutz Anthony Gammage Richard Marten Edmund Roberts Francis Barty Richard Handford Edward Casteline Jo. Goodrich Jo. Lovison William Williams Christopher Birkbeck and Andrew Palmer that they by the Name of The Governours Assistants and Society of the Mineral and Battery-works and their Successors shall be Incorporate into a Body Politick to continue for ever 3. Grants them a Common Seal Libertie to purchase Privileges and Authorities formerly granted to the said William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz and to purchase Lands Tenements c. by that Name and to alien and sell the same and be enabled to sue and be sued c. in all Courts and before any Judge Spiritual or Temporal c. in all matters touching their Society 4. Liberty to chuse two Governours two or more Deputies and eight or more Assistants Sir William Garrat and Rowland Hayward the two first Governours John Tamworth and Peter Osburne the two first Deputies and Thomas Fleetwood Henry Coddenham William Birde George Barne William Humfrey Christopher Shutz Anthony Gammage and Richard Marten the 8 first Assistants untill the first Thursday in Decemb. after the Date and from thence till new ones are chosen 5. Power to assemble at their own pleasure and to keep Courts there and to elect their Governours c. and to make Rules and Ordinances for the well-governing the Affairs of the Society c. 6. Power to admit others to be Members and to dismember and to make Acts and revoke the same upon occasion at pleasure gives freedom to all the Society Workmen and Labourers during the time of their Imloyment not to be impannelled upon Juries c. 7. License to admit Aliens and Strangers as well as English and to minister an Oath and deliver Copies of Admittances under their Common Seal 8. To rule and govern according to the Laws c. and to do speedy justice in putting them in execution 9. To purchase Lands c. not held In Capite nor above the yearly value of 100 l. over and above all charges Power to set Fines Pains c. upon any Member Officer Workman or Labourer for any matter relating to the said Society And if any be disobedient they are to punish them as the quality of the Fault requires at discretion which they are not to refuse 10. Power to make one or more Serjeant or Serjeants who is impowered to levy and gather all Fines c. and to arrest both Body and Goods in case of refusal of paiment in all places except Cities c. where the Mayor c. upon a Precept from the Society under their Seal shall arrest and attach c. and the same to deliver over to the said Serjeant according to the tenour of the said Precept and the said Mayor c. to be indemnified therefore 11. Willing and commanding all Mayors Sheriffs c. to be aiding and assisting to the said Society CHAP. X. An Abstract of KING JAMES his Letters Patents dated Jan. 28. in the second Year of His Reign Incorporates for ever The Society of the City of London for the Mines Royal. 1. REciting the Letters Patents granted to Tho. Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter dated the 10th day of October in the 6th Year of Queen Eliabeth and other Recitals 2. Grants all Mines and Oars therein recited to William
Earl of Pembroke Robert Viscount Cranborne Henry Lord Windsor Thomas Lord Burghley Thomas Lord Gerrard Sir John Popham Knight Sir Edward Winter Knight Sir Francis Popham Knight Sir John Smith Knight Sir Roger Owen Knight Francis Nedham Arnold Oldisworth Christopher Toldervy William Gammage Francis Beale Otes Nicholson Richard Danford Edward Barnes Emanuel Demetrius Abraham van Delden Emanuel Hechsteter and Daniel Hechsteter all Immunities formerly granted and ratifies the same and Incorporates them by the Name of The Governours Assistants and Society of the City of London of and for the Mines Royal and by that Name to have Succession and to continue for ever 3. To chuse one or two Governours one or more Deputies and six or more Assistants and to have a Common Seal and to purchase Lands c. 4 Robert Viscount Cranborne Sir John Popham Knight the first Governours Sir John Smith and Arnold Oldisworth Esquire the first Deputy-governours Sir Roger Owen Knight Francis Nedham Christopher Toldervy Wil-Gammage Francis Beale and Otes Nicholson Assistants untill the first Monday in May 1605 and Annually that day to keep a general Court and to elect Officers 5. To keep Courts at such Places and Times as the Governours or Deputies shall think fit 6. If any Officer elected die before the Year be expired the Major Part to chuse another in his place 7. Power to keep Courts to ordain and enact Statutes and Ordinances to admit or expell such as are deemed unworthy to be Members of the Company as also for the good Government of the Society 8. All Persons to be admitted before they be admitted to have a Quarter Part appointed for term of Life at least 9. A Gentleman and a Freeholder of an Estate of Inheritance within certain of the 8 Counties of 40 Marks per Annum before Admission to have half a quarter part assigned and to be admitted within 3 Years after the Date hereof 10. An Oath to be administred to such as shall be admitted to be of the Company and any Person admitted otherwise then is before expressed not to be accounted a Member of the Company 11. If any Person admitted to a Quarter or Half-quarter Part and shall either alien renounce or otherwise by Act of Court be removed from the same he shall no longer be held a Member of the Society 12. A full Court to have power to dismember such of the Society as they shall determine unworthy to remain of it and their Dismembering being entered into the Book of the Acts of the said Company 13. The Parties so removed not to be held Members without new Admission 14. Powers to keep Courts for putting the Acts and Statutes to be made in due execution as well to rule and govern every Member of this Corporation as all the Ministers Officers and Workmen touching all Causes and Controversies concerning their Privileges 15. Power to them or any Member to purchase Lands not exceeding the yearly value of 100 l. nor held In Capite above all charges and reprises 16. Power given by Fines For foitures or Imprisonment to punish any Member Officer or Workmen of the Company for breach of any Rules or Acts to be made or for any other Offence in the Affairs of the Society 17. No person offending and censured as aforesaid shall refuse to be ordered by this Society 18. Power to make an Officer or more in London or elsewhere and him or them to be styled Serjeant or Serjeants of the Mines Royal who have power to levy receive and gather all Fines and Forfeitures aforesaid and for default of paiment to arrest as well the Body as Goods of the Offender 19. The Offender being in any City or Town Corporate upon a Precept under their Common Seal to the Mayor or Sheriff c. they to arrest or attach the Body and Goods of such Offender and them to deliver to the said Officer of the Company 20. That the Mayor Sheriff or others shall not be troubled for executing any Precept to them directed from the Company as aforesaid 21. No Person to have Voice in Elections or other Affairs not having half a quarter of one 24th Part. 22. The Voice of every Person having a quarter Part to be held of as great account as the Voices of two others having but half quarter Parts apiece And so the Voice of any other having a greater Part then a quarter to be esteemed of as great force as so many several other Persons having but an half quarter Part apiece 23. All His Majesty's Officers c. to be aiding and assisting to the said Governours CHAP. XI The Abstract of the Letters Patents of the Mineral and Battery-works of the 22th of January in the first Year of KING JAMES 1. THe King reciting the Letters Patents of Queen Elizabeth dated the 17th day of September in the 7th Year of Her Reign whereby She granted to William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz their Heirs c. Liberty to dig mine and search for the Callamine stone within Her Kingdom of England and within the English Pale in Ireland together with the benefit of working thereof with other Metals with divers Immunities and Privileges c. for the making of all Wier and Battery-wares c. and to erect and build Workhouses necessary 2. And also reciting other Letters Patents dated the same Day and Year reciting by them That whereas She had formerly granted Privileges to Cornelius Devoz for mining and digging within Her Realm of England for Allom and Copperice and for divers other Oars c. And further reciting Her Grant to Thomas Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter of Liberty to dig and search for all Oars of Gold Silver Copper and Quicksilver within the Counties of York Lancaster Cumberland Westmerland Deven Cornwall Gloucester and Worcester and in Wales c. And by the said last recited Letters Patents the Queen grants to William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz full power to dig within England and English Pale in Ireland except the said 8 Counties and Wales for all manner of Oars and Metals simple and pure or mixt and compound and of Gold Silver Copper Quicksilver and for all other Treasures c. and to erect many other Immunities and Privileges c. 3. And whereas the said William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz have heretofore granted divers parts and portions of the said Immunities Powers and Privileges c. and whereas the said William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz and all or most of their Assigns are since dead And whereas the said Powers and Privileges c. are since come unto William Earl of Pembroke Robert Lord Cecill Sir Julius Caesar Sir James Pemberton Sir William Bond and Sir James Lancaster Knights John Osburne Thomas Caesar Francis Barty sen Arnold Oldisworth Christopher Toldervy William Gammage Charles Chewt Henry Tamworth and William Bond sen Esquires Henry Palmer Francis Barty jun. Richard Danford George Browne Gent. Richard Marten jun. Nathanael Marten Richard Collins and Alexander Fownd c. 4. Know
ye therefore c. the King ratifies and confirms all the former Grants Powers Immunities Privileges Profits c. And also for the better Advancement of the said Works grants to the last recited Persons that they shall be for ever one Body Politick and Corporate in it self in Deed and Name by the Name of The Governoure Assistants and Society of the City of London of and for the Mineral and Battery-works to have Succession for ever and liberty to have a Common Seal 5. License to purchase any parts and portions of the Immunities Privileges and Profits c. and also to purchase Lands Tenements c. by that Name and so to alien and sell the same and so to sue implead c. and to be sued impleaded c. in any our Courts before any our Judges Spiritual or Temporal c. touching the Affairs of the said Corporation 6. Power to ordain two Governours two or more Deputies and 8 or more Assistants and makes William Earl of Pembroke and Robert Lord Cecill the first Governours Francis Barty sen and Thomas Caesar the first Deputies and Arnold Oldisworth Christopher Toldervy Charles Chewt William Bond sen Henry Palmer Richard Dunford Richard Marten jun. and Nathanael Marten the first Assistants untill the first Thursday in December next c. and from thence untill new ones shall be chosen 7. Liberty to assemble and meet together for the keeping of Courts and ordering their Affairs and for Elections of Governours c. yearly and for making Laws Rules and Ordinances for the good Government of the Society for the admitting of Members and for the Dismembering and the same Laws c. also to change or revoke 8. Indemnity to every Officer Minister Workman and Labourer from all injuries c. To admit Aliens and Strangers and to administer an Oath to give Copies of their Admittance under their Common Seal and enter the same in their Register-book and to do speedy justice to all 9. Liberty to purchase Lands c. not holden of the King In Capite or in Chief not exceeding 100 l. per Ann. over and above c. 10. Power to impose Fines Penalties Imprisonments upon any Member Officer c. for any Offence touching the said Society and in case of Non-payment to sue for the same in any Our Courts of Record 11. Power to ordain one or more Officer or Officers to be styled Serjeant of the City of London for the Mineral and Battery-works who shall have power to receive and gather the Fines c. and for Non-paiment to arrest both Body and Goods except in Cities c. where the Governours Precept is to be obeyed by the Mayor c. and they are to be indemnified for acting therein And all Mayors Sheriffs c. are to be aiding and assisting to the said Society 12. Powers and Enlargements of some Defects in the former Patents concerning the Callamine stone and all sorts of Battery-wares Cast work and all sorts of Wier As for the digging and working of all sorts of Oars of Gold Silver Copper Quicksilver Tin and Lead and for conveying of Water and to erect Houses for the Melting c. not to dig in Orchards c. without License And shall give reasonable satisfaction for Damage as shall be agreed or else to be referred and if they disagree then to be determined at the Council Table 13. All Persons except the said Society and their Lessees c. prohibited to use the Callamine stone or to attempt to dig for the same or to melt or make into Wier c. or to dig for any Oars or use any their Tools or Instruments without Licence 14. All Persons commanded not to hinder or disturb the Works of the said Society or any their Workmen or Labourers upon penalty of 100 l. for every Offence the one Moyety to the King the other to Society and such other punishment by Imprisonment c. as shall be thought fit 15. Power to the said Society and their Assigns c. to take up at reasonable wages and price Artificers and Workmen Instruments c. and to buy Wood for Coals and Timber onely for the finding and melting the said Callamine stone or the digging of or melting c. of any the said Oars and Minerals c. or for conveying of Waters Except prout c. 16. Power at the Kings pleasure to search in other parts of Ireland without the English Pale with like Profits c. 17. And the said Letters Patents made to Thomas Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter and the other made to Cornelius Devoz as aforesaid shall remain and continue still in force And that these Our letters Patents shall remain and continue inviolable c. 18. Provided that if the King shall at any time be minded to resume the Powers c. hereby granted then he shall detain the same to His Own use but not to let to any others so as the Governours c. be first paid all their Charges c. as shall be adjudged by 6 persons Citizens of London whereof 2 to be Aldermen c. and upon their Certificate the Lord Treasurer to make present pay without further order 19. And if the King after His resumption shall be minded to grant the same again then the Society to be preferred c. 20. A Precept to all Justices Barons c. that the said Society c. shall have the benefit of these Presents from the said 17th of September in the 7th Year of Queen Elizabeth And that they do not suffer any Action or Information against the said Society c. touching any thing herein contained CHAP. XII The Abstract of a Proclamation against Importation of Iron Wier dated 7 Maii An. 6. CAR. I. 1. WHereas Iron Wier is a Manufacture here and by that Trade many thousands were maintained c. 2. And whereas Our English Wier is of better use then any Forein Wier especially for making Cards for Wooll c. as by several Certificates c. And whereas sundry Complaints have been made c. Therefore 3. Well-weighing the danger and prejudice and finding that sundry good Laws and Statutes have been formerly made against Importation thereof By the advice of the Privy Council We do streightly charge and command all Persons from attempting to import into England or Ireland c. any Forein Wier or Cards made of Forein Wier c. upon pain of Forfeiture c. 4. Commanding that which shall be forfeited be carried to the several Custom-house where they are seised without selling or compounding c. upon pain c. 5. Commanding all Officers attending our Customs to forbear to make Entries or Compositions for any the same Forein Wier c. but to seize the same as forfeited to the Uses hereafter specified c. 6. And whereas there hath been one evil use in buying old Cards and trimming them up and selling them for new ones to the prejudice of the Cloth trade therefore commands all
reasonable amends for any damage HENRY VI. The King by his Letters Patents granted to John Sollers all Mines of Gold and Silver in Devon and Cornwall Devon and Cornwall and all Mines of Lead holding Silver or Gold Gold Silver and Lead to hold from the expiration of 12 years formerly granted to the Duke of Bedford for 20 years paying the fifteenth part of pure Gold and pure Silver with libertie to dig and work the same but not to dig under any Houses or Castles and a Clause to provide for Wood and Labourers Dat. 11 Julii Anno 17. Hen. VI. Rot. 45. HENRY VI. The King by his Letters Patents makes his Chaplain John Bottwright Comptroller of all his Mines of Gold and Silver Devon and Cornwall Gold Silver Copper Latten and Lead Copper Latten and Copper Latten Lead within these two Counties Dat. 10 Sept. Anno 30. Hen. VI. Rot. 15. 20. HENRY VI. The King by His Letters Patents granted to the said Bottwright Provost and Governour of all his Mines Devon and Cornwall Copper Tyn and Lead prout ante and grants him all Mines of Copper Tin and Lead there whereout any Gold or Silver shall be fined to hold during his good behaviour paying the tenth part of pure Gold and Silver Copper Tin and Lead to be fined at his own charge with power to let and set for twelve years paying to the King the tenth Boule of Oar of Copper Tin and Lead holding Gold or Silver and to dig without interruption with a Clause to make a Provision for Wood and Labourers the Fee of the Church excepted Dat. 20 Junii Anno 31. Hen. VI. Rot. 20. 25. HENRY VI. The King by His Letters Patents Anno 34. Rot. 24. Devon and Cornewal Gold Silver and all Mettals containing Gold or Silver gives and grants to the Duke of York all his Mines of Gold and Silver and of all other Metals containing Gold or Silver within the Counties of Devon and Cornwall to hold at the pleasure of the King for 21 years with a Clause not to dig under the Houses or Medows of any person and with a Clause to free and indemnifie the Miners without impediment of the King or his Subjects wheresoever the said Mines shall be found within the said Counties HENRY VI. Among the Remembrances of the Exchequer Devon Anno 36. Regni in the Records of Easter Term Rot. 20. inter alia Devon Memorand That John Bottwright Governour of the Mines of Berryferres in Devon complains to this Court Mines that Robert Glover at the command of Roger Champernown took away 144 Bouls of Glance oar Glance oar valued at 15 l. 6 s. 8 d. and made profit of the same without any thing allowed to the King to the Kings damage 100 l. and thereupon desireth the Advice of the Court. CHAP. XV. EDWARD IV. THe King by his Letters Pattents England Lead holding Gold or Silver dat Dec. 20. Anno 8. Regni to Richard Earl of Warwick John Earl of Northumberland and others grants all Mines of Gold and Silver c. on the North side of Trent within England And all Mines of Lead holding Gold or Silver in the parts aforesaid agreeing with the Owners of the soyle to hold from the Feast of the Purification next for 40 years paying to the King the 12. part of pure gold and silver and to the Lord of the soyle a sixteenth part as they grow liberty to dig c. except under Houses or Castles without Licence EDWARD IV. The King by his Letters Pattents 30 Julii Anno 12. Rot. 2. grants to Gallias Lynne Semerset Glou cest Lead Tin and Copper holding Silver William Marriner and Simon Pert power to dig and search for Mines within the Counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire of Lead-Oar Tin or Copper holding silver or gold for the term of five years and to agree with the Lord of the soyl paying to the King every eighth Bowle of rich Oar with a clause to make their Mills to Fine and Melt as the Owner and they can agree And all Officers c. to be assistant EDWARD IV. The King by his Letters Pattents dat 23 Northumberland Martii Anno 15. Rot. 20. grants to his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Henry Earle of Northumberland Copper and others the Mines of Blanch Lands called Shildane in Com. Northumb. And the Mine of Alston-Moor called Fetchers The Mine of Keswick in Cumberland and the Copper Myne neer Richmond in Yorkshire To hold from Lady day next for 15 years Paying the King the eighth part neat to the Lord of the Soil the ninth and to the Curat of the place a tenth as they arise EDWARD IV. The King by his Letters Pattents Dat. 11 Martii Northumberland Gold Silver Copper Lead Anno 18 Rot. 31. Upon surrenders of the former grants to William Goderswick and Doderick Vaverswick all Mines of Gold Silver Copper and Lead in Northumberland and Westmerland To hold from Lady day next for ten years paying to the King a fifteenth part neat to the Lord of the Soil and to the Curat as they can agree CHAP. XVI HENRY the VII THe King by His Letters Patents England Wales dat 27 Feb. Anno 1. Regni Rot. 92 makes Jasper Duke of Bedford and others Earls Lords and Knights Commissioners and Governours of all his Mines of Gold Silver Tin Gold Silver Tyn Lead and Copper Lead and Copper in England and Wales to answer the profits to the King and made Sir William Taylor Comptroller To hold from Candlemass day following for 20 years with Liberties of Court and other Priviledges Paying to the King the fifteenth part of pure Gold and Silver and to the Lord of the Soil the eleventh part as it grows Liberty to dig and search c. Except under the Houses and Castles of the King and his Subjects This Henry VII a wise Prince taking notice of his interest and Prerogative in the Mines did in the very first year of his Reign grant this Commission and by this and other ways raised a vast sum of Mony and left his rich Coffers to Henry VIII Who added to the Bulk by the Sale of Abbies c. But before Henry VIII his death almost all the Treasures of his Fathers and his own were consumed and what remained was left to Edward the VI. an Infant whose experience could not guide him to the Care of such affairs then followed Queen Mary who matching with Spain was thereby interessed in the wealth of Europe and needed no other support or inspection so this concern stood neglected for above 70 years CHAP. XVII QUEEN ELIZABETH ABout the third year of Queen Elizabeth she by the advice of her Council sent over for some Germans experienced in Mines and being supplied she the tenth of October in the sixth of her reign grants the Mines of eight Counties besides those in Wales to Houghsetter a German c. whose name and
of Gold or Silver which is in the base Metals the King should have all the Mines of base Metals in the Realm and the Subject having Mines of base Metals in his own Lands they are of no effect for there is not according to the said Authors any such Mine either in this Kingdom or elsewhere which hath not some Gold or Silver in it And therefore it seemeth reasonable to consider the nature of a poor Mine and the value of the Gold and Silver in the base Metal and that the Product be of such value that it countervail the charge of getting it or otherwise there is no reason that it should draw the Propertie of the base Metal to the Crown but if otherwise then it is to be a Mine Royal. CHAP. IV. An Abstract of the Letters Patents dated the 28th of May in the 10th Year of Q. ELIZABETH Incorporating for ever the Society of the MINES ROYAL 1. REciting the Letters Patents granted to Tho. Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter dated 10 Oct. b. in the 6th Year of Her Reign c. 2. Grants Power to assign to any Person or Persons Parts and Portions of their said Privileges Immunities c and ratifies and confirms all Immunities Licenses Privileges formerly to them granted 3. Grants the said License Immunities Privileges c. unto William Earl of Pembroke Robert Earl of Leicester James Lord Montjoy Sir William Cecill Knight Tho Thurland Daniel Houghsetter John Tamworth and Jo. Dudley Esquires Lionel Ducket Citizen and Alderman of London Benedict Spinola of London Merchant Jo. Loner Will. Winter Anthony Ducket Roger Wetherall Rich. Springham Jeffry Ducket Rich. Barnes Will Platten Tho. Smith Will. Birde Gent. Daniel Ulstet a German Matâ—hew Field George Needham and Edmund Thurland all the said Privileges c. and Incorporates them for ever and their Successors by the Name of The Governours Assistants and Commonalty for the Mines Royal and so to continue for ever 4. Enables them by that Name to purchase Lands Tenements c. and to alien set or let the same and to sue implead c. and to be sued c. in any Court before any Judge Spiritual or Temporal concerning any the Affairs belonging to the said Governours Assistants and Commonalty c. 5. Power to chuse one or two Governours one or two Deputy-governours and six or more Assistants 6. Ordains Lionel Ducket and Daniel Houghsetter the first Governours Anthony Ducket and Daniel Ulstet the first four Deputy governours Jo. Tamworth Tho. Thurland Benedict Spinola John Loner Will. Winter and Roger Wetherall the first Assistants untill the first Monday in May 1569 and thence if need be till others are chosen 7. Power to keep Courts to elect Officers to make By-laws Acts and Ordinances when and where they please within c. and to admit more Members English or Strangers c. and to revoke Rules Ordinances c. Every Member to have half a quarter of a 24th Part or a Gentleman of 40 Marks per Annuum in certain Counties a quarter part at least 8. To rule and govern Officers Ministers Workmen and Labourers according to the Ordinances c. and to remove Members and impose Fines to purchase Lands to elect one or two Officers who are called Serjeants to collect the Fines and to arrest Body and Goods 9. Their Precepts to be obeyed in Cities c. and all Officers indemnified for their obedience thereto 10. A Member having a Quarter part his Voice is as good as two Members of half Quarter parts and so of the rest greater Parts proportionably 11. All Mayors Sheriffs c. to be assisting CHAP. V. An Abstract of the Indenture of Covenants between the Queen and the Corporation BY Indenture dated the 16th day of June in the 10th year of Queen Elizabeth made between the Queen of the one part and the Corporation of the Mines Royal of the other part reciting the Indenture of Covenants of the 10th of October in the 6th year The Companie did covenant with the Queen to pay deliver observe perform fulfill and keep all Paiments Customs Subsidies Coinage Summes of monie Gold Silver Precious stones Pearls Copper Parts Portions Preemptions Covenants Grants Articles and Agreements in that Indenture specified on the Patentees behalf to be paid delivered reserved performed c. And that the Queen shall have all such Paiments Summes of monie Customs Subsidies Coinage Duties Gold Silver Precious stones Pearls Copper Parts Portions Preemptions c. which the Patentees had covenanted the Queen should have CHAP. VI. An Abstract of the Grant of the Mineral and Battery-works 17 Sept. 7 Eliz. 1. BY Letters Patents the Queen granted to William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz all manner of Ewres simple and pure or mixt and compound of the Metals of Gold Silver Copper and Quicksilver and all other Minerals and Treasures likely to be found in Earth or Ground in England Wales and the English Pale in Ireland and of Tin and Lead in such sort as by Law is or hath been used Copperice and Allom and the Mines in the last Patent excepted 2. Therein is granted Power to dig to build Houses not to dig under Houses nor in the Mines in the last Patent excepted without consent indifferent Persons to award a recompence none to use their Tools or Instruments or to dig for 21 Years Disturbers of Workmen to be committed for six Moneths without Bail or Mainprise to take up Necessaries for the Work as Wood Timber c. at reasonable rates and if the Queen be minded to work any Mines without the English Pale then William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz shall have like Privilege and Power as if the same had been granted 3. Free for the Queen to resume this Grant for Her proper use onely and not to grant it to other Persons their Charge Loss Expence and Interest to be allowed by six indifferent Citizens whereof two to be Aldermen to be equally chosen the Referrees to deliver a Certificate of the Charge to the Lord Treasurer who is to make paiment thereupon and if after Resumption the Queen shall decline the working then William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz their Heirs and Assigns to have the preference of Farming it c. 17 Sept. 7 Eliz. A Patent to the same Persons of the Callamine stone or Lapis Callaminaris within the same places and with like powers for the better Composition of the mixed Metal called Latten in reducing it to be soft and malleable for Wier and mollifying of Iron and Steel and drawing and forging them into Plates for Armour in all our Realm of England and Wales and within the English Fale in Ireland power to dig ut ante CHAP. VII The Abstract of the Indenture of Covenants between the Queen and William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz dat 17 Sept. 7 Eliz. concerning the Mineral and Battery-works 1. FIrst the Queen covenants that no other Persons shall dig of or for what is granted 2. William Humfrey and Christopher Shutz