04/26/2023
In the 16th century, a man named Thomas Blood attempted to steal the British Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Blood disguised himself as a parson and convinced the Jewel House keeper to let him and his "nephews" view the jewels. Once inside, Blood attacked the keeper, flattened the State Crown with a mallet and hid it under his cloak. However, he was caught before he could escape.
King Charles II was so impressed by Blood's audacity that he decided to spare his life and even gave him a royal pardon. Blood became a sort of celebrity and was even invited to the King's court. It is said that Blood and the King developed a strange kind of friendship, with the King calling him "my friend Blood" and joking about the attempted theft.
The story of Thomas Blood is one of the most daring and audacious theft attempts in history, and his eventual pardon by the King only adds to its intrigue. It just goes to show that truth is often stranger than fiction!
