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.
