Today in History, May 9: 1671 – Thomas Blood and three cohorts attempt to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Blood, already a famous adventurer given the moniker “Captain Blood”, was an Irish noble whose land had been taken from him. He posed as a priest and convinced the Jewel House guard to surrender his pistols. He and his accomplices then set about taking the jewels. The guard’s son showed up and sounded the alarm. As Blood hammered the crown flat and attempted to flee, the Tower Guard caught them all. King Charles II was so impressed with Blood’s acts that he restored Blood’s lands and titles, made him a member of the king’s court and awarded him an annual pension.
Mark Loves History! 