Charter rolls, from the 1st of King John to the end of Edward IV.in which are enrolments of grants, and confirmations of liberties and privileges to cities and towns corporate, and to private persons, as markets, fairs, free warren, common of pasture, waifs, strays, felons' goods, &c.
The foundations of abbeys and priories, of colleges and schools, together with lands and privileges granted to them.
The patents of creation of noblemen.
Close rolls, from the 6th of King John, to the end of Edward IV., in which are writs of various kinds, but more especially on the back of the roll are entered the writs of summons to parliament, both to the lords and commons, and of the bishops and inferior clergy to convocations.There are also proclamations, and enrolments of deeds between party and party.
French rolls, beginning anno 1 of Edward II.and ending with Edward IV., in which are leagues and treaties with the kings of France, and other matters relating to that kingdom.
Scotch rolls, containing transactions with that kingdom.
Rome, touching the affairs of that see.
Vascon rolls, relating to Gascoign.
There are also other rolls and records of different natures.
In this tower are also kept the inquisitions post mortem, from the first year of King Henry III., to the third year of Richard III.
The inquisitions ad quod damnum, from the first of Edward II.to the end of Henry V.
Writs of summons, and returns to Parliament, from the reign of Edward I.to the 17th of Edward IV.
Popes' bulls, and original letters from foreign princes.
All which were put into order, and secured in excellent wainscot presses, by order of the house of peers, in the year 1719 and 1720.
Attendance is given at this office, and searches may be made from seven o'clock in the morning to eleven, and from one to five in the afternoon, unless in December, January, and February, when the office is open only from eight to eleven in the morning, and from one to four, except holidays.
The next office I shall mention is the Mint, where, at present, all the money in the kingdom is coined.This makes a considerable street in the Tower, wherein are apartments for the officers belonging to it.The principal officers are:- l.The warden, who receives the gold and silver bullion, and pays the full value for it, the charge being defrayed by a small duty on wines.2.The master and worker, who takes the bullion from the warden, causes it to be melted, delivers it to the moneyers, and when it is minted receives it from them again.3.The comptroller, who sees that the money be made according to the just assize, overlooks the officers and controls them.4.The assay-master, who sees that the money be according to the standard of fineness.5.The auditor, who takes the accounts, and makes them up.6.The surveyor-general, who takes care that the fineness be not altered in the melting.And, 7, the weigher and teller.
The Jewel-office, where the regalia are reposited, stands near the east end of the Armoury.A list is usually given to those who come daily to see these curiosities in the Jewel-house, a copy whereof follows, viz.:
A list of his Majesty's regalia, besides plate, and other rich things, at the Jewel-house in the Tower of London.
1.The imperial crown, which all the kings of England have been crowned with, ever since Edward the Confessor's time.
2.The orb, or globe, held in the king's left hand at the coronation; on the top of which is a jewel near an inch and half in height.
3.The royal sceptre with the cross, which has another jewel of great value under it.
4.The sceptre with the dove, being the emblem of peace.
5.St.Edward's staff, all beaten gold, carried before the king at the coronation.
6.A rich salt-cellar of state, the figure of the Tower, used on the king's table at the coronation.
7.Curtana, or the sword of mercy, borne between the two swords of justice, the spiritual and temporal, at the coronation.
8.A noble silver font, double gilt, that the kings and royal family were christened in.
9.A large silver fountain, presented to King Charles II.by the town of Plymouth.
10.Queen Anne's diadem, or circlet which her majesty wore in proceeding to her coronation.
11.The coronation crown made for the late Queen Mary.
12.The rich crown of state that his majesty wears on his throne in parliament, in which is a large emerald seven inches round, a pearl the finest in the world, and a ruby of inestimable value.
13.A globe and sceptre made for the late Queen Mary.
14.An ivory sceptre with a dove, made for the late King James's queen.
15.The golden spurs and the armillas that are worn at the coronation.
There is also an apartment in the Tower where noble prisoners used to be confined, but of late years some of less quality have been sent thither.
The Tower where the lions and other savage animals are kept is on the right hand, on the outside the ditch, as we enter the fortress.
These consist of lions, leopards, tigers, eagles, vultures, and such other wild creatures as foreign princes or sea-officers have presented to the British kings and queens.
