Thursday, June 7, 2007

Thomas Blood

Thomas Blood (c.1618 - 1680)
Irish Colonel and adventurer.

Thomas lost his estates during the Restoration (1660). He attacked Dublin Castle (1663); and later he brazenly stole the English Crown Jewels from the Tower of London (1671) - reputedly the only person to have successfuly done so. Despite getting away with the loot, he was quickly captured.

Rather than recieving the harsh treatment one would expect, Thomas found himself greatly favoured by King Charles II of England (aka: "the Merry Monarch"), who pardoned him and restored his estates.

See the following articles:
Thomas Blood - And the Theft of the Crown Jewels
Clare People - Thomas Blood
Thomas Blood - Wikipedia
The Newgate Calendar


~~~ Melisende (first pub: 2/6/2006)

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