Alphabe-Thursday Legend says

THIS IS AN ALPHABE-THURSDAY POST

The Lowell Inn - Stillwater, Minnesota..... and the loyal lions out front welcome all who enter!

Yet my letter " L " today leaves the Lowell Inn and sails away to .....


London 

...and the luxurious Crown Jewels

... legend says since 1303, after the Crown Jewels were stolen from Westminster Abbey they were kept in the basement of the Tower of London and protected by a large metal grille, and always heavily guarded.

         So many legends still exist today about one shrewd man. Colonel Thomas Blood, he was cunning and clever and a "noted bravo and desperado."


I heard this version about the legendary Crown Jewels over the radio on my morning commute.

 

Tower of London....inside and outside but long after 1671.


You can catch of glimpse of the Tower Of London Bridge in the first photo!       It was 1671 (Colonel Blood) disguised as a minister and accompanied by a female, (introduced as his wife) paid a visit to the Tower of London.    After paying their viewing fee to the Jewel House keeper they viewed the beloved "Crown Jewels."

What happens next has various reports, but long story short, Colonel Blood while posing as a minister, he and his wife quickly became close friends with the keeper and his family.

Most reports say during their first visit that the minister's wife suffered a violent stomach ache and was take to the keeper's apartment to rest.  The more than grateful minister immediately sent 4 pairs of white gloves for the keeper's wife in appreciation.

....and so the friendship began........So much so, that they were allowed many visits to the tower (to view the jewels) and the minister's (Colonel Blood's imaginary/or impostor nephew) became so enchanted with the keeper's daughter that they planned a wedding to be held in the tower.

....a view of the Tower of London....

It began as a bright and sunny day for a wedding, but quickly turned dark.


The (masquerading colonel) not only was to officiate the wedding, he also master minded a scheme to take place on their wedding day.   Because Colonel Blood had become so close to the keeper, it came as no surprise that his request to show the best man and another relative the "Crown Jewels" of course, the keeper immediately obliged.  

Only to be thwarted by the minister as he threw off his wig, exposing his true self and struck the keeper on his head with a mallet, knocking him to the floor.   They slashed him with a sword just enough to daze him.  Then the thugs quickly bound and gagged him before grabbing all the precious jewels and began their escape route.

 The bride becoming suspicious at her father's long absence went to find him. Luckily just in time to free him so he was able to close the drawbridge before the thieves escaped.



Again this legend involves numerous endings. I rather like this accounting.



Yes, believe it or not, Colonel Thomas Blood was pardoned by King Charles.  Colonel Blood demanded he would only speak with his royalty.



King Charles announced to all that Colonel Blood was too clever, so much that he was pardoned and given a high ranking position so that he could keep a watchful eye on him.

  I will forever enjoy these legends, that some of our blogging friends from England may have their own special version of Colonel Thomas Blood.... or also known as "Captain Blood" that they might wish to share..... please do...

If you want to play along with Alphabe-Thursday there's always room for more please check Jenny's blog out here to join in

or just learn more L words!

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2012/02/alphabe-thursday-letter-l.html