Below is a close to exact translation of the James.1 Patent for Harington Farthings in 1616, If asterisks appear in the text it means this collector could not translate the word(s). Paragraphs and spaces between paragraphs have been substituted by this collector, they do not appear in the original patent.
James by the grace of god King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To all to whom these presents shall come greetings.
Whereas there hath been in times past, some toleration in this Realm, of tokens of trade commonly known as farthing tokens, to pass between Vintners Tapsters channels, Bakers and others of the like Traders and their customers, whereby such small portions and quantities of things vendible as the necessity and use, especially of the poorer sort of people, doth often times require, may be fitly bought and sold. Forasmuch as the use of farthing tokens hath in it a good end, tending to parsimony and to the abonding of waste, and to the more general distribution of charity and in both respects to the comfort of the poorer sort of people.
And yet nevertheless the manner of issuing and use of these tokens as it passeth now only between customers, doth neither that good to the public which may, by a more general and indifferent use and passage of them, be effected.
And besides, even amongst these particulars between whom they pass, is more subject to counterfeiting, loss and deceipt, being also some derogation to our Prerogative Royal, that anything whatsoever current or not current, should be made a measure of buying and selling, in any manner of similitude, to the use of our monies.
We have thought good to the end, there may be the greater use and the less abuse, in the passing of Farthing Tokens, to put them in priviledges, with some directions and cautions, and to restrain and supress the licentious use of them.
Not intending nevertheless, hereby to make them of the nature of our monies or coins, so that any of our subjects should be forced to receive them in payments, otherwise than with their own good tidings, but only to give our loving subjects a license and means, to use them according to their occasions, and that without any fee, charge or constraint in any wise imposed upon them.
Know ye therefore, that we, as well for, and in consideration of, the long faithful and acceptable service heretofore, form or performed unto us by our right trusty and well loved subject John Lord Harington, Barron of Exton, as also for, and in consideration of, the yearly rent of one hundred marks of lawful money of England, hereafter in these presents, reserved for divers, others good causes or considerations, by specially moving of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion and of our Prerogative Royal.
Have given and granted and by these pronouncements, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators Deputies and assigns, by themselves or by any of them, or by their or any of their Deputies, workmen and servants, shall, and may make, in some convenient place at his or their pleasure and appointment such a competent quantity of Farthing Tokens of Copper, as may be conveniently, by him or them or any of them, made and issued amongst our loving subjects, within our Realms of England or Ireland and our Dominion of Wales, for and during the term hereafter in these presents mentioned.
And our will and pleasure is that the said Farthing Tokens shall be made exactly and artificially of Copper by Engines or Instruments, having on the one side two sceptres crossing under one Diadem and on the other side, a harp, crowned with our title, JAS : DEI GRA : MAG : BRITT : FR : ET : HI : REX, weighing six grains a piece or thereabouts, with a privy mark from time to time.
With Farthing Tokens, may pass between man and man for the value of Farthings, within our said Realms and Dominions, with the liking or consent of such of our loving subjects, as shall require or agree to have, use, or receive them.
And further, of our most special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion and for the consideration and rent aforesaid, we have given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our Kings, heirs or successors, do give and grant unto the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, all such proffits, gains, benefits and advantages, which shall be made, gotten, raised, or obtained, by the making, issuing, or exchanging, of all such of our Farthing Tokens of Copper, unto any of our loving subjects, which shall require, or agree, for the same as the said Lord Harington , his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, and assigns, shall make, or cause to be made, from the date of these presents, for and during the term of years hereafter, in these presents expressed.
To have, perceive, receive, and take the said profit, gain, and benefit, to be raised as aforesaid to the use and behest of him, the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, for ever, without any attempt or other thing, to be rendered unto us, our heirs or successors, for the same, other than the yearly rent and forfeiture, in these presents reserved.
And further, of our more ample and especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion and for the considerations aforesaid. And to the intent that the said Lord Harington, shall and may, have and enjoy, the full benifit and profit intended unto him by this, our grant, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, straightly prohibit and forbid all and every person and persons whatsoever, to make or counterfeit, such of our Farthing Tokens of Copper or the Engines or Instruments whereby they shall be made or any of them being made, for the making of any Farthing Tokens, or to use or utter, any other farthing Tokens whatsoever, either made or counterfeited within our Dominions or beyond the seas, at any time, after the Feast of St. John the Baptist next coming, after the date of these presents, upon forfeiture of all such farthing Tokens or Engines, as shall be so made, uttered or found, contrary to the true meaning of these presents, and upon such further pained penalties or imprisonments, as by the power and statute of this our Realm of England and our Prerogative Royal, can, or may, be inflicted upon them, for their contempt and breach of our Royal Commandment in this behalf, the one moiety, of all with forfeiture, to be to us, our heirs and successors, and the other moiety thereof, we do give and grant to the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators and assigns by these pronouncements, as of our free gift, without any account to be rendered to us, our heirs or successors, for the same.
And for the better distributing and dispersing of our said Farthing Tokens, the said Lord Harington, for himslf, his Executors, Administrators and assigns, hath assumed unto us and put in security, in our Court of Exchequer, before the Barrons there, that he shall not only be content and ready to deliver forth the rate of 21s. in Farthing Tokens for only 20s. in money sterling, which any of our loving subjects shall be willing to give for the same during said term, but also, for and during, the space of the first year, until the the said farthing Tokens be grown unto a more general use and acceptance.
He will deliver unto any of our loving subjects that shall find himself surcharged with more of our Farthing Tokens than he can conveniently utter for his use and occasions, the same of 20s. in sterling money for every sum of 21s. in Farthing Tokens and so after, the rate, for all lesser sums at the hands of all Tradesmen in all such place and places, where the the said Lord Harington or his Deputies shall issue or utter our said Farthing Tokens.
To have and to hold, perceive, use, excercise and enjoy, all and singular, the aforesaid powers, liberties, priviledges, licenses , grants, authorities and others, the premisses unto the said John Lord Harington, Barron of Exton, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies or assigns, from the date of these our licensed Patents, unto the feast of St. John the Baptist, which shall be in the year of our Lord God 1616, yielding and paying therefore, yearly to us, our heirs and successors from the feast of St. John the Baptist next ensuing, the date hereof for or during the said term, the yearly rent or sum of ******* ********** of lawful money of England into the receipt of our exchequer at Westminster at the feast of the birth of our Lord God and St. John the Baptist, or within eight and twenty days next, after the said feasts, yearly by equal portions.
The first payment to begin and to be made at the feast of the birth of our Lord which shall be in the year of our Lord God 1613, provided always that if it shall happen, the said yearly rent of ******* ********* or any part thereof to be behind and unpaid by the space of twenty days next, after any of the said feasts wherein the same ought to be paid as aforesaid, that then and henceforth this our presents grant shall be void and of non effect anything in these pronouncements to the contrary notwithstanding.
And further also for the better excecution of this our said grant, we do by these our licensed Patents for us, our heirs and successors, give grant unto the said Lord Harington, full power, license and authority, that he himself or his Executors, servants, factories and assigns and the deputies of them or any of them, shall and may, at all times and from time to time after the date of these presents, for and during the said term of years, before by these presents grants, enter into any ship bottom vessel, boat, shop, warehouse, or any other place whatsoever which they think good, within any of our said Realms and Dominions, by water or land as well within the liberties as without.
And there to try and search by all ways and means for all such counterfeit Farthing Tokens or Engines made for the making of the said counterfeit Farthing Tokens as shall be brought in from the parts beyond the Seas land, on land or found to be made within any of our Realms or Dominions, contrary to the true intent and purpose of these pronouncements, and finding any such Farthing Tokens or Engines, to arrest, seize and carry away and detain the same to the use in these licensed Patents before mentioned and expressed.
Straightly charging or commanding all and singular Mayors, Sherriffs, constables, head boroughs, controllers, customers, searchers, ******* and all other officers or ministers to whom it shall or may appertain to be aiding and assisting in all lawful and convenient manner unto the said Lord Harington, his Deputies and assigns in the due excecution of these licensed Patents, upon pain of our high displeasure and such pains and punishments, as by the laws and statutes of this our Realm of England and our Prerogative Royal, may or can be inflicted upon them for their contempt in that behalf.
Provided always nevertheless if at any time hereafter, during the said term of years, upon examination before our Privy Council for the time being calling the said lord Harington, his Executors or assigns. If it shall be found that these our Farthing Tokens shall be inconvenient or prejudicial to the Commonwealth of our said Realms, that then upon signification, declaration or order, in that behalf made by any six or more of said Privy Council whereof the Lord Treasurer or Chancellor of the Exchequer for the time being, to be one in writing under their hands, that this grant shall be revoked then within six months next after any such Declaration or order, these licensed Patents shall void, frustrate and of non effect anything before in these pronouncements contained to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding.
Although express motion of the true yearly value or certainty of the premisses or of any of them or of any other gifts or grants by us or any of our progenitors or predecessors to the said John Lord Harington, Barron of Exton, before these times made in these pronouncements is not made or any statute, Act, ordination, provision, explaination or restraint before this time, had made, set forth, ordained or provided or any other thing, matter or cause whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof.
This Indenture made the **th day of April in the year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, James, by the grace of god, King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith ****** the ********* and of Scotland the ********** between the right honourable John Lord Harington, Barron of Exton, on the one part and our sovereign Lord the Kings Majesty on the other part.
Whereas our said sovereign Lord as well in consideration of the long faithful and acceptable service come to his Majesty by the said Lord Harington as in consideration of the yearly Rent of *** ********* ***** did by his highness, his Patents under the great Seal of England bearing the date, the tenth day of April in the said eleventh year of his majesty's Reign of England, France and Ireland and six and fortieth of Scotland, give and grant unto the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies and assigns, full Authority and privilege to make Farthing Tokens of Copper, to be issued amongst his highness's loving subjects within his Realms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales, from the date of the said licensed Patents unto the feast of St. John the Baptist, which shall be in the year of our Lord God 1616.
And did further, by the same licensed Patents, give and grant to the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrator and assigns, all such gains, profits, benefits and advantages which shall be made, gotten, raised or obtained by the making, issuing or exchanging of the said Farthing Tokens as, in and by, the said licensed Patents more at large may appear.
Now this Indenture witnesseth and the said John Lord Harrington doth by these presents, for him, his heirs, Executors, Administrators or assigns Covenants, promise and grant to and with our said sovereign Lord the Kings Majesty, his heirs and successors. That he the said John Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators or assigns. or some of them, shall quarterly, during the said term, may and deliver up to Edmund Dooleday Esquire or such other person or persons as his majesty shall appoint to receive the same, a true and perfect account of all such benefit and profit, as the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies or assigns or every and any of them shall make or receive by virtue or means, of his Majesty's said grant.
In which Account shall be clearly and particulously set forth, as well, all profits or receipts, as also, all charges, expenses, deductions and allowances and from hereafter, such time as the said Lord Harington shall have had and received, to his own use and behest, the full sum of £20,000 due and above all charges, deductions, expenses and allowances.
Then and from henceforth, the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies and assigns, shall deliver over and pay to his majesty, his heirs or successors, quarterly after the account made as aforesaid, all such benefit, profit and forms of money as the said Lord Harington, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies and assigns shall surely make and receive by force and virtue of the grant aforesaid.
In witness whereof to ***** part of these Indentures remaining with our said sovereign Lord, the King of the said Lord Harington, hath put his hand and seal to the other part of the same remaining with the said Lord Harington, our said sovereign Lord hath caused the great seal of England to be put, given the day and year first about written.
If any collectors have copies of the Patent or who would like to see the words in question. Please contact me at this e-mail address for attention
This page was last modified on :-