Colonel Blood

Colonel Thomas Blood was an Anglo-Irish adventurer who gained fame by stealing the Crown Jewels in 1671 and later changed sides during the Civil War and became involved in treasonous plots. Despite being caught, he was saved by King Charles II due to his hold over the 'Merry Monarch'. D. Lawrence-Young is a crime and historical novelist who loves writing about Shakespeare and English history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Cranthorpe Millner Publishers

Colonel Blood, the 17th-century dashing Anglo-Irish adventurer, lived a life of royalty, love affairs, lusty wenches, war, and fighting. However, his most remarkable achievement was an incredible robbery. This is the story of self-styled 'Colonel Thomas Blood, the daring Anglo-Irish adventurer who gained fame by (almost) succeeding in stealing the Crown Jewels in 1671. But Blood's life was far from limited to this singular event. He switched sides from being a Royalist to a Roundhead during the Civil War and became involved in several treasonous plots. He risked his life to save a friend from being hanged and twice attempted to kidnap his longtime enemy, the Duke of Osborne. Despite being caught after his failed jewel robbery, he was saved by King Charles II. Why was the king so magnanimous towards Blood? What hold did Blood have over the 'Merry Monarch'?

D. Lawrence-Young is a prolific crime and historical novelist who has written over twenty books published in the UK, USA, and Israel. He has a deep fascination with Shakespeare and the picturesque characters who shape English history. His novels delve into the intricate details of the period, bringing to life the characters and events that shaped the world.

Colonel Blood's life was a tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and danger. He was born into a wealthy Irish family and grew up in the vibrant city of Dublin. Despite his privileged upbringing, Blood was drawn to the excitement of the military life and joined the army at a young age.

He quickly rose through the ranks, earning the nickname 'Colonel Blood' for his bravery and daring in battle. Blood's military career took him to many parts of the world, including India, where he fought against the Portuguese and the Mughals.

But Blood's true passion was for adventure and robbery. He had a taste for the finer things in life and was always looking for ways to make a quick buck. He became involved in several daring robberies, including the theft of the Crown Jewels in 1671.

The Crown Jewels were the most valuable treasures in the British monarchy, and they were guarded by the Royal Family and the Royal Guard. Blood's plan was to infiltrate the palace and steal the jewels while the King and Queen were asleep.

The robbery was a daring and ambitious one, but it was also fraught with danger. Blood had to navigate through the palace's intricate security system, avoid detection by the guards, and outsmart the Royal Family's security team.

Despite the risks, Blood managed to carry out the robbery almost to perfection. He managed to evade the guards and break into the royal chambers. He then made his way to the Crown Jewels, which were kept in a secure vault.

But just as Blood was about to make his escape, he was caught by the Royal Guard. Blood was arrested and taken into custody. He was tried and convicted of robbery and sentenced to death.

Despite his conviction, Blood remained defiant and refused to admit his guilt. He claimed that the robbery was a political act, designed to protest against the monarchy and the injustices of the time.

Blood's case attracted the attention of King Charles II, who was known for his leniency towards criminals. The king was intrigued by Blood's story and decided to spare his life.

King Charles II was a complex and fascinating character, and he had a deep fascination with the arts and literature. He was a patron of the arts and a lover of literature, and he was known for his generosity and kindness towards those in need.

Despite his reputation as a 'Merry Monarch', King Charles II was also a ruler who was deeply concerned about the security of the monarchy. He was aware of the dangers posed by political unrest and was determined to protect the crown and the royal family.

In the case of Colonel Blood, King Charles II saw an opportunity to strike a balance between his desire for leniency and his duty to protect the monarchy. He decided to spare Blood's life, but he also made it clear that he would not tolerate any further attempts to steal the Crown Jewels.

King Charles II's decision to spare Blood's life was a controversial one, but it was also a wise one. It showed that the king was willing to listen to the arguments of his subjects and was willing to make compromises to protect the monarchy.

Blood's life after the robbery was a mixed bag. He was released from prison and allowed to return to his family. He was also allowed to continue his military career, but he was never allowed to serve in a leadership position again.

Despite his setbacks, Blood remained defiant and refused to give up on his dreams. He continued to pursue his love of adventure and literature, and he wrote several books about his experiences and his views on the monarchy.

In conclusion, Colonel Blood was a fascinating and complex character who lived a life of adventure, intrigue, and danger. He was a Royalist who switched sides during the Civil War and became involved in several treasonous plots. Despite being caught after his failed jewel robbery, he was saved by King Charles II, who was known for his leniency towards criminals.

Blood's case was a reminder of the power of the monarchy and the importance of protecting it from those who would seek to undermine it. It also showed that even in the darkest of times, there was still hope for redemption and forgiveness.

D. Lawrence-Young's novels are a testament to his talent as a writer and his deep fascination with the history of the 17th century. His books are a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and wants to learn more about the characters and events that shaped the world.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 131 x 195 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912964857