This Day in History: 9 May 2020
9 May 1671
349 years ago, today, Thomas Blood, better known as 'Captain Blood', an Irish adventurer, was captured after attempting to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. He had been a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War but had been deprived of his Irish estate due to the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660. Three years later, he began to lead a plot to seize Dublin Castle from King Charles II's supporters. However, this plan was discovered, and his accomplices were executed, as he escaped capture. In 1671, he again initiated a bizarre plot to steal the new Crown Jewels that had been refashioned by the King, as most of the original jewels had been melted down after Charles I's execution.
First, Blood disguised himself as a priest, and was able to convince the Jewel Housekeeper to hand over his pistols, as Blood's accomplices emerged. Together, they forced their way into the Jewel House, but were caught in the act. An alarm went out, and one man shoved the Royal Orb down his trousers while Blood flattened the Crown and tried to run off. Despite their efforts, all four were arrested, and Blood was brought before the King. Charles was so impressed that he restored his estates in Ireland and made him a member of his court, with an included annual pension. Captain Blood thus became a popular celebrity across the realm. When he died in 1680, his body had to be dug out to persuade the public of his death.
Want to find out more about Colonel Thomas Blood and his attempt to steal the crown jewels? Click here for more information, or here for a 'Horrible Histories' clip re-enacting the meeting between the King and Blood.
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