Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
Colonel Thomas Blood (1618?-1680?), a daring adventurer, was rewarded for his activities on the Parliamentary side in the Civil Wars with lands in Ireland which were confiscated after the Restoration. He twice attempted to kidnap the Duke of Ormonde, whom, as Lord-Lieutenant, Blood held responsible for the confiscation. In May 1671 Blood, disguised as a parson, nearly succeeded in an attempt to make off with the crown jewels. He was captured, but refusing to talk to an examining magistrate, was brought before the King, who pardoned him, restored his lands, and employed him as an intelligence agent.
Epigramme Upon Blood's attempt to steale the Crown
by Andrew Marvell (1612 - 1678):
When daring Blood, his rents to have regain'd,
Upon the English Diadem distrain'd,
He chose the Cassock, surcingle, and Gown
(No mask so fit for one that robbs a Crown);
But his lay-pity underneath prevayl'd
And while he spar'd the Keeper's life, he fail'd.
With the Priests Vestments had he but put on
A Bishops cruelty, the Crown was gone.
Source: Marvell, Andrew. Complete Poetry. George deF. Lord, Ed. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd., 1984. 193.
|
Followups: |
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/blood/messages/68.html | ||
 |
Agreement of Use Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|