Unknown man, formerly known as Thomas Blood, attributed to Gilbert Soest and painted in the 1670s.
Thomas Blood by George White.
James Butler, First Duke of Ormond, lord lieutenant of Ireland during the attempted seizure of Dublin Castle in 1663, and victim of Blood’s attempted kidnap and murder.
Sir Joseph Williamson, secretary of state and operational head of the Stuart secret service.
Henry Bennet, First Earl of Arlington, secretary of state and pursuer of the would-be assassins of the Duke of Ormond.
Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, who had a less than happy time with the constant threat of rebellion or assassination posed by radical religious dissenters or veteran republicans.
George Villiers, Second Duke of Buckingham. An ambitious archconspirator who probably employed Blood for unpleasant tasks but then turned against him.
Barbara Palmer, née Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland. The ruthless mistress of Charles II who played dangerous political games at court.
Charles II wearing the new Imperial State Crown and carrying the orb and sceptre made for his coronation – the targets of Colonel Blood and his accomplices.
The Martin Tower in the north-east corner of the Tower of London, where Charles II’s new crown jewels were stored. For a small payment, anyone could see them.
Blood and his accomplices stealing the regalia from the Tower.
Colonel Blood’s daggers.
A bird’s eye view of the Tower of London as it was in 1688.