In 1671, an Irish adventurer named Thomas Blood pulled off one of the boldest almost-robberies in British history: he tried to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.
Blood disguised himself as a clergyman, befriended the elderly keeper of the Jewel House, and eventually returned with accomplices. Once inside, they attacked the keeper, grabbed the royal treasures, and tried to make a getaway.
The plan was bizarrely practical. Blood reportedly flattened St Edward’s Crown so it could fit under his cloak, while his crew carried off other pieces of the regalia. They did not get far. The guards caught them before they escaped the Tower.
Here’s where it gets truly weird: instead of being executed, Blood was brought before King Charles II, who pardoned him. Even stranger, Blood later received royal favor, possibly including land or a pension.
Somehow, the man who nearly stole the symbols of monarchy walked away with the king’s mercy.