The One Crown

Has anyone ever considered the sheer audacity of Thomas Blood? In 1671, this rogue actually tried to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, just a decade after they were remade! The One Crown pub, steeped in its own history, stands not far from this scene of royal shenanigans. The One Crown, while perhaps not as glittering as the jewels themselves, holds its own place in the tapestry of London’s pubs. Now, those Crown Jewels…imagine them in the hands of a common thief! Blood almost got away with it, snatching St. Edward’s Crown, the Sceptre, and the Sovereign’s Orb. The sheer audacity of it! Can you picture him stuffing the orb, representing the Christian world, into his pocket? The One Crown likely saw its share of patrons discussing the theft back in the day. The incident certainly highlighted the vulnerability of the symbols of royal power, despite their grand setting in the Tower of London. It’s a good thing for Charles II that Blood was caught. But here’s the twist. Instead of imprisoning Blood for his crime, the king pardoned him and even gave him land in Ireland! Some say Blood was a secret agent, which may explain the royal leniency. Imagine the conversations at The One Crown, fuelled by ale and speculation about the King’s motives. The story of the attempted heist adds a layer of intrigue to our understanding of the Crown Jewels, doesn’t it? They represent centuries of tradition, power, and even divine right, yet they were almost lost to a brazen thief. Today, securely housed in the Tower, they continue to inspire awe, a reminder of a dramatic past and the enduring allure of monarchy. Next time you raise a glass at The One Crown, remember the daring Thomas Blood and his almost successful attempt to make off with these national treasures.