Crime  & punishment

Colonel Blood Caught Stealing Crown Jewels

One of history’s greatest rogues was caught in the middle of one of his most audacious acts on 9th May, 1671. Thomas Blood, or Colonel Blood as he had styled himself, attempted to steal the crown jewels from the Tower of London and yet remarkably, despite the treasonous act, found himself in the service of King Charles II shortly after his capture.

Blood had a history of crime and deception, a reputation as an opportunistic turncoat who would change sides with no hesitation to better his own position. By the time he attempted to steal the crown jewels in 1671, he was already a wanted man in England, forced to use a false name and wear a disguise to evade arrest.

Following the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, a new set of crown jewels was made to replace those destroyed following Charles I’s execution, including two new sceptres and an orb costing £12,185 along with a new crown for the King. King Charles, perhaps surprisingly for the time, allowed members of the public to go and visit the crown jewels for a small fee despite the Tower of London still acting as a prison.