Warden of the Mint


Warden of the Mint was a high-ranking position at the Royal Mint in England from 1216–1829. The warden was responsible for a variety of minting procedures and acted as the immediate representative of the current monarch inside the mint. The role of warden changed greatly through history with the original task being the receiving, assay and payment for bullion, while later evolving into more of an administerial role.
The office received a yearly emolument of £500 and up until 1685 wardens were given tenure meaning many wardens died while in office. Although technically subordinate to the Master of the Mint whose jobs was act as a contractor to the crown many wardens advanced later on to become Master of the Mint with some wardens holding both offices at the same time.
The most illustrious holder of the office of Warden of the Mint was Isaac Newton, who was warranted to this position on the recommendation of his friend, Montagu, Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1698. In 1699 however, Newton undertook the office of Master of the Mint, which was far more lucrative, as well as potentially more technically challenging. After the death of the final warden Sir Walter James, 1st Baronet in 1829 the office was abolished having existed for 613 years.

Wardens of the Mint

TenureNotes
1193Henry de Cornhill
1197Odo Parvus and others
1202Hugh Oisel
1203Wido de Vou
1204Hugh Oisel
1208Nigel Ruffus and Odo Varvus
1216–1222Hubert de Berg
1222Hger
1224Alexander
1229Riehard ReingerLondon and Canterbury
1243Otto Fitz William
1245William HardelLondon and Canterbury
1247Walter de Flemeng
1248William Hardel
Walter de More
London and Canterbury
1251J. Silvestre
1252J. de Somercote
1258William the King's GoldsmithLondon and Canterbury
1266B. de Castell and Richard de Geoffrey
1270–1279Bartholomew de Castello
1279–1292Gregory de RokesleyShared Role
1279–1281Orlando di PoggioShared Role
1292–1296William of Wymondham
1297–1298Peter of Leicester
1298–1305John Sandale
c1319Augustine le Waleys
1331Richard de Snowshill
c1337John de Wyndsore
1343George Kirkyn, Lotte Nicholyn
1334William of Wakefield
1334John of Fleet
1346George Kirkyn, Lotte Nicholyn
1349John Donati de Castello, Philip John de Neri, Benedict Isbari
1375–1376Richard LyonsExecuted on 14 June 1381 during the Peasants' Revolt
1376–1377Thomas Hervey
1377–1388John Gurtmonchester
1389–1392Guy Rocliffe
1392–1399Andrew Newport
1399–1403Robert Heathcote
1408–1411David de Nigarellis of Lucca
1411–1439Henry Somer
1439–1446John Somerset
1446–1449John Lematon
1449–1468Thomas Montgomery
1468–1470John Wode
1470–1471John LangstrotherJoint Wardens both
executed Tewkesbury 1471
1471-1471Sir John DelvesJoint Wardens both
executed Tewkesbury 1471
1471John Wode
1534–1536Sir Thomas Pope
1536–1544John Browne
1560–1595Sir Richard MartinActed as Master of the Mint from 1581-1617
1599–1609Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet
1609–1621Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet and Edmund Doubleday
1621Henry Tweedy
1623Sir Edward Villiers Sir William Parkhurstdied 1626
1629–1642Sir William Parkhurst and Sir Anthony St Leger
1642–1645Holland
1645John St John
1660–1666Sir William Parkhurst
1660–1680Sir Anthony St Legerdied 1680
1681Sir Thomas Wharton and son Philip Wharton
1685–1686Sir Philip Lloyd
1686–1690Owen Wynne
1690Benjamin Overton
1696–1699Sir Isaac NewtonPromoted to Master of the Mint in 1699
1700Sir John Stanley, 1st Baronet
1708–1714Craven PeytonAppointed in April 1708 and removed from office in December 1714
1714Sir Richard Sandford, 3rd Baronet
1718William Thompson
1725Walter Cary
1727Sir Andrew Fountaine
1754Richard Herbert
1754John Jeffreys
1766William Whitmore
1771Sir Robert Pigot, 2nd Baronet
1796–1829Sir Walter James, 1st Baronet
1829Office abolished