Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Master of the Mint

Master of the Mint is in Master.

In 1461 William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) was appointed Master of the Mint.

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.

In 1667 Henry Slingsby (age 46) was appointed Master of the Mint.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Jul 1667. The Master of the Mint and his lady, Mr. Williamson, Sir Nicholas Armourer (age 47), Sir Edward Bowyer, Sir Anthony Auger, and other friends dined with me.

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. 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.

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. 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 1699 Isaac Newton (age 56) was appointed Master of the Mint.

Culture, England, Court Positions, Royal Household, Deputy Master of the Mint

In 1662 Henry Slingsby (age 41) was appointed Deputy Master of the Mint to 1667.