In the annals of daring escapades, there's one that shines as bright as the Crown Jewels themselves: the audacious heist orchestrated by the intrepid Irishman, Colonel Thomas Blood, the Irishman who stole the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.
Picture this: it's May 9, 1671, the sun is high, and London's bustling streets serve as the backdrop for one of history's boldest attempts at thievery.
Born in Meath, Thomas Blood was no stranger to adventure. He concocted a plan that would go down in infamy. In broad daylight, under the very noses of astonished onlookers, Blood set his sights on the treasures housed in the Tower of London.
With nerves of steel, Blood waltzed into the Tower, weaving through the corridors as if he owned the place. In a move worthy of a swashbuckling tale, he managed to sweet-talk his way into the inner sanctum where the Crown Jewels lay ensconced, gleaming temptingly under the watchful gaze of guards.
However, Blood was no ordinary thief. He didn't resort to skulking in the shadows or employing elaborate gadgets. Oh no, he opted for a more direct approach. With a swift hand and a devilish grin, he snatched the jewels, their brilliance no match for his sheer audacity.
Alas, as fate would have it, his luck ran out, and he was apprehended before he could make his grand escape. Yet, instead of facing the gallows, Blood found himself in an unexpected turn of events. King Charles II, perhaps amused by the sheer audacity of the Irish rogue, decided to spare his life.
In a twist worthy of a Shakespearean comedy, Blood was not only pardoned but rewarded handsomely with a substantial annuity. It seemed that even kings couldn't resist the allure of a true adventurer's spirit.
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* Originally published in 2024, updated in May 2025.
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