The Audacious Crimes of Colonel Blood: The Spy Who Stole the Crown Jewels and Became the King’s Secret Agent
By Robert Hutchinson
Read by Ralph Lister
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The gripping story of one of the most enigmatic and alluring figures in British history: a dangerous double agent and Irish rogue in King Charles II’s court One morning in May 1671, a man disguised as a parson daringly attempted to seize the crown jewels from the Tower of London. Astonishingly, he managed to escape with the regalia and crown before being apprehended. And yet he was not executed for treason. Instead, the king granted him a generous income and he became a familiar strutting figure in the royal court’s glittering state apartments. This man was Colonel Thomas Blood, a notorious turncoat and fugitive from justice. Nicknamed the “Father of All Treasons,” he had been involved in an attempted coup d’etat in Ireland as well as countless plots to assassinate Charles II. In an age when gossip and intrigue ruled the coffee houses, the restored Stuart king decided Blood was more useful to him alive than dead. But while serving as his personal spy, Blood was conspiring with his enemies. At the same time he hired himself out as a freelance agent for those seeking to further their political ambition. In The Audacious Crimes of Colonel Blood, bestselling historian Robert Hutchinson paints a vivid portrait of a double agent bent on ambiguous political and personal motivation, and provides an extraordinary account of the perils and conspiracies that abounded in Restoration England.
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Summary
Summary
The gripping story of one of the most enigmatic and alluring figures in British history: a dangerous double agent and Irish rogue in King Charles II’s court
One morning in May 1671, a man disguised as a parson daringly attempted to seize the crown jewels from the Tower of London. Astonishingly, he managed to escape with the regalia and crown before being apprehended. And yet he was not executed for treason. Instead, the king granted him a generous income and he became a familiar strutting figure in the royal court’s glittering state apartments.
This man was Colonel Thomas Blood, a notorious turncoat and fugitive from justice. Nicknamed the “Father of All Treasons,” he had been involved in an attempted coup d’etat in Ireland as well as countless plots to assassinate Charles II. In an age when gossip and intrigue ruled the coffee houses, the restored Stuart king decided Blood was more useful to him alive than dead. But while serving as his personal spy, Blood was conspiring with his enemies. At the same time he hired himself out as a freelance agent for those seeking to further their political ambition.
In The Audacious Crimes of Colonel Blood, bestselling historian Robert Hutchinson paints a vivid portrait of a double agent bent on ambiguous political and personal motivation, and provides an extraordinary account of the perils and conspiracies that abounded in Restoration England.
Editorial Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Reviews
Reviews
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English mystery at its best.
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As England’s history goes, one could argue Blood was perhaps the country’s biggest surprise. To rob the crown jewels and subsequently become a double agent fixed on political and selfish justification, Blood, to many historians, became the rogue who got away with major crimes during the Restoration period in England’s past. Some listeners to Ralph Lister’s excellent reading may come away feeling the book was overly detailed, but a book about deceitful behavior coupled with the layered treachery of Blood exercising his ambitions, more than justifies the comprehensive nature of the book. Both humorous and arresting is the fact that his body had to be exhumed in order to convince the London populace that he had not forged his death.
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A reminder that history repeats itself
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On the surface, a book about Colonel Thomas Blood’s daring attempt to seize the Crown Jewels from the Tower of England in May of 1671 sounds intriguing and suspenseful. Well, certainly his success in lifting the regalia and crown before being caught and then instead of the king executing him for treason, he is awarded an income that is more than generous. He then becomes a dandy of the royal court, strutting about as if he were king. The king had other ideas, however, and made him his personal spy. Blood being Blood however didn’t keep him from a double agent status, conspiring with his enemies and appointing himself as a freelance agent for those of ambition vying for political power. Mr. Hutchinson, with the expert reading of the book by Ralph Lister, delivers a compelling account of a particular piece of history that is repeating itself in the 21st century, i.e., look at the scandals thus far with the Trump administration re: double agents and spying.
Details
Details
Available Formats : | Digital Download, Digital Rental, CD |
Category: | Nonfiction/History |
Runtime: | 8.10 |
Audience: | Adult |
Language: | English |
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