ON THIS DAY

----------ooOoo----------

May 9, 1671

Thomas Blood steals the Crown Jewels of England and Scotland from the Tower of London

Thomas Blood (1618 – 1680) was an Anglo-Irish officer and self-styled colonel best known for his attempt to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London in 1671.

Blood, a disgruntled Cromwellian, lost his lands and entitlements when Charles II ascended the throne.

On May 9, 1671, Blood and cohorts attended at the Tower of London with the intention of stealing the Crown Jewels, which were kept locked in the basement of the Tower of London. The Jewel House Keeper at that time was a 76 year old ex-soldier by the name of Talbot Edwards, who lived with his family in the Martin Tower at the Tower of London. Blood had succeeded in gaining Edward’s confidence, and even suggested that a marriage be arranged between his ‘nephew’ and Edward’s daughter.

On the day of the robbery, Blood brought his ‘nephew’ (who was in fact his son) and two other friends to meet Edwards at his home. Blood explained that his wife would be coming soon, and whilst awaiting her arrival, requested that Edwards show them the Crown Jewels. The unsuspecting Keeper complied, and escorted them down to the basement where the treasure was kept. Once at the bottom of the stairs, the Keeper was attacked, bound, and gagged, after which Blood and his accomplices made off with the crown (which was flattened so that it could be hidden under his cloak) and the orb (which went into Blood’s breeches). The scepter, however, was too long, and the thieves tried unsuccessfully to saw it in half. The scepter was dropped when they tried to flee.

The Keeper, having managed to free his gag, raised the alarm by shouting “Murder! Treason! The Crown is stolen!” The thieves were caught and held in the Tower of London. Blood refused to speak to anyone except the king, and his wish was granted. After meeting with Charles II, Blood was pardoned, restored, and received a pension of £500 a year. The exact reason for Blood’s pardon remains unknown.

In contrast, Edwards' family was awarded less than £300 by the King, a sum which was never paid in full, and he returned to his duties at the Tower regaling visitors with his tales of the attempted theft.

----------ooOoo----------