Thomas Blood Biography

Thomas Blood was an adventurous 17th century rogue who rose to the heights of notoriety with his daring attempt to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London. He had also made attempts to kidnap and kill his enemies over his outrageous criminal career. The field of crime seemed to be an unlikely choice for this son of a respectable blacksmith who had a comfortable upbringing. However Thomas was highly adventurous and was always on the lookout for excitement which he found by indulging in illegal activities. He was a self-styled colonel who first fought with Royalist forces in the First English Civil War but later switched sides as the war progressed and became a lieutenant on the side of the Roundheads. He once made a plan to kidnap the Duke of Ormonde, James Butler which failed miserably and Blood had to go away in hiding. Now a wanted man in the eyes of law, he changed his disguise, adopted a new identity, and started practicing as a doctor! In an extremely bold move, he made another attempt, albeit unsuccessful, of killing James Butler. It was in 1671 that he made a really audacious move by attempting to steal the Crown Jewels along with a companion. He could not however make good his escape and was caught.