Biography of Henry Slingsby 1621-1688
Paternal Family Tree: Slingsby
In 1617 [his father] William Slingsby (age 53) and [his mother] Elizabeth Broad were married.
Around 1621 Henry Slingsby was born to William Slingsby (age 57) and Elizabeth Broad.
In 1662 Henry Slingsby (age 41) was appointed Deputy Master of the Mint to 1667.
Evelyn's Diary. 06 Sep 1662. Dined with me Sir Edward Walker (age 51), Garter King-at-Arms, Mr. Slingsby (age 41), master of the Mint, and several others.
Evelyn's Diary. 27 Nov 1662. I dined with the Master of the Mint (age 41), where was old Sir Ralph Freeman (age 73); passing my evening at the Queen-Mother's (age 53) Court; at night, saw acted "The Committee", a ridiculous play of Sir R. Howard (age 36), where the mimic, Lacy, acted the Irish footman to admiration.
In 1663 Henry Slingsby (age 42) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
Pepy's Diary. 27 Jan 1665. Thence away to boat again and landed her at the Three Cranes again, and I to the Bridge [Map], and so home, and after shifting myself, being dirty, I to the 'Change [Map], and thence to Mr. Povy's (age 51) and there dined, and thence with him and Creed to my Lord Bellasses' (age 50), and there debated a great while how to put things in order against his going, and so with my Lord in his coach to White Hall, and with him to my Lord Duke of Albemarle (age 56), finding him at cards. After a few dull words or two, I away to White Hall again, and there delivered a letter to the Duke of Yorke (age 31) about our Navy business, and thence walked up and down in the gallery, talking with Mr. Slingsby (age 44), who is a very ingenious person, about the Mint and coynage of money. Among other things, he argues that there being £700,000 coined in the Rump time, and by all the Treasurers of that time, it being their opinion that the Rump money was in all payments, one with another, about a tenth part of all their money. Then, says he, to my question, the nearest guess we can make is, that the money passing up and down in business is £7,000,000. To another question of mine he made me fully understand that the old law of prohibiting bullion to be exported, is, and ever was a folly and an injury, rather than good. Arguing thus, that if the exportations exceed importations, then the balance must be brought home in money, which, when our merchants know cannot be carried out again, they will forbear to bring home in money, but let it lie abroad for trade, or keepe in foreign banks: or if our importations exceed our exportations, then, to keepe credit, the merchants will and must find ways of carrying out money by stealth, which is a most easy thing to do, and is every where done; and therefore the law against it signifies nothing in the world. Besides, that it is seen, that where money is free, there is great plenty; where it is restrained, as here, there is a great want, as in Spayne. These and many other fine discourses I had from him.
Pepy's Diary. 02 Oct 1666. So away home, and eat a short dinner, and then with Sir W. Pen (age 45) to White Hall, and do give his boy my book of papers to hold while he went into the Committee Chamber in the Inner Court of Wards, and I walked without with Mr. Slingsby (age 45), of the Tower, who was there, and who did in walking inform me mightily in several things; among others, that the heightening or lowering of money is only a cheat, and do good to some particular men, which, if I can but remember how, I am now by him fully convinced of. Anon Sir W. Pen went away, telling me that Sir W. Coventry (age 38) that was within had told him that the fleete is all come into the buoy of the Nore, and that he must hasten down to them, and so went away, and I into the Committee Chamber before the Committee sat, and there heard Birch (age 51) discourse highly and understandingly about the Navy business and a proposal made heretofore to farm the Navy; but Sir W. Coventry did abundantly answer him, and is a most excellent person.
In 1667 Henry Slingsby (age 46) was appointed Master of the Mint.
Pepy's Diary. 09 Aug 1668. Thence to White Hall, and thence to visit Lord Brouncker (age 48), and back to White Hall, where saw the Queen (age 29) and ladies; and so, with Mr. Slingsby (age 47), to Mrs. Williams's, thinking to dine with Lord Brouncker there, but did not, having promised my wife to come home, though here I met Knepp, to my great content.
Evelyn's Diary. 19 Jul 1670. I accompanied my worthy friend, that excellent man, Sir Robert Murray (age 62), with Mr. Slingsby (age 49), Master of the Mint, to see the latter's seat and estate at Burrow-Green [Map] in Cambridgeshire, he desiring our advice for placing a new house, which he was resolved to build. We set out in a coach and six horses with him and his lady, dined about midway at one Mr. Turner's, where we found a very noble dinner, venison, music, and a circle of country ladies and their gallants. After dinner, we proceeded, and came to Burrow-Green [Map] that night. This had been the ancient seat of the Cheekes (whose daughter Mr. Slingsby married), formerly tutor to King Henry VI [NOTE. Possibly a mistake for Edward VI since John Cheke was tutor to Edward VI]. The old house large and ample, and built for ancient hospitality, ready to fall down with age, placed in a dirty hole, a stiff clay, no water, next an adjoining church-yard, and with other inconveniences. We pitched on a spot of rising ground, adorned with venerable woods, a dry and sweet prospect east and west, and fit for a park, but no running water; at a mile distance from the old house.
Evelyn's Diary. 20 Jul 1670. We went to dine at Lord Allington's (age 30), who had newly built a house of great cost, I believe a little less than £20,000. His architect was Mr. Pratt (age 50). It is seated in a park, with a sweet prospect and stately avenue; but water still defective; the house has also its infirmities. Went back to Mr. Slingsby's (age 49).
Evelyn's Diary. 02 Dec 1674. At Mr. Slingsby's (age 53), Master of the Mint, my worthy friend, a great lover of music. Heard Signor Francisco on the Harpsichord, esteemed one of the most excellent masters in Europe on that instrument; then, came Nicholao with his violin, and struck all mute, but Mrs. Knight, who sung incomparably, and doubtless has the greatest reach of any English woman; she had been lately roaming in Italy, and was much improved in that quality.
In 1675 Henry Slingsby (age 54) was expelled from the Royal Society for non-payment of dues.
Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1676. Came to dine with me my Lord Halifax (age 42), Sir Thomas Meeres (age 42), one of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, Sir John Clayton, Mr. Slingsby (age 55), Mr. Henshaw (age 58), and Mr. Bridgeman.
Evelyn's Diary. 20 Jul 1678. I went to the Tower [Map] to try a metal at the Assay-master's, which only proved sulphur; then saw Monsieur Rotière (age 47), that excellent graver belonging to the Mint, who emulates even the ancients, in both metal and stone; he was now molding a horse for the King's (age 48) statue, to be cast in silver, of a yard high. I dined with Mr. Slingsby (age 57), Master of the Mint.
Evelyn's Diary. 25 Sep 1679. Mr. Slingsby (age 58) and Signor Verrio (age 43) came to dine with me, to whom I gave China oranges off my own trees, as good, I think, as were ever eaten.
Evelyn's Diary. 20 Nov 1679. I dined with Mr. Slingsby (age 58), Master of the Mint, with my wife (age 44), invited to hear music, which was exquisitely performed by four of the most renowned masters: Du Prue, a Frenchman, on the lute; Signor Bartholomeo, an Italian, on the harpsichord; Nicholao on the violin; but, above all, for its sweetness and novelty, the viol d'amore of five wire strings played on with a bow, being but an ordinary violin, played on lyre-way, by a German. There was also a flute douce, now in much request for accompanying the voice. Mr. Slingsby, whose son and daughter played skillfully, had these meetings frequently in his house.
In 1680 Henry Slingsby (age 59) was suspended from office on the grounds of incompetence. His financial accounts were so faulty that he was suspected of fraud and his property temporarily seized to make good the losses. The duties of Master were then executed by a commission pending Slingsby's resignation in 1686.
Evelyn's Diary. 03 Dec 1684. I carried Mr. Justell and Mr. Slingsby (age 63) (Master of the Mint), to see Mr. Sheldon's collection of Medaills. The series of Popes was rare, and so were several amongst the modernes, especialy that of John Husse's martyrdome at Constance; of the Roman Emp: Consulars; some Greeke, &c. In copper, gold, and silver; not many truly antique; a Medallion of Otho, P. JEmil. &c. hardly antient. They were held at a price of, £.1000. but not worth, I judge, above £200.
Around 1688 Henry Slingsby (age 67) died.
Evelyn's Diary. 12 Jan 1688. Mr. Slingsby, Master of the Mint, being under very deplorable circumstances on account of his creditors, and especially the King, I did my endeavor with the Lords of the Treasury to be favorable to him.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Philip IV King France
GrandFather: Francis Slingsby of Scriven
Father: William Slingsby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Percy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Mary Percy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bertram Harbottle
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Harbottle 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Lumley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guiscard Harbottle 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Percy 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Acton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Griffith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Markham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Markham
Henry Slingsby 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Stephen Broad of Broadshill in Sussex
Mother: Elizabeth Broad