Colonel Blood and the Crown Jewels: with Rebecca Rideal

In the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by writer, historian and TV producer Rebecca Rideal to explore the story of Colonel Thomas Blood and his audacious attempt to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671. Rebecca tells Nicola how Blood befriended the newly appointed Master of the Jewel House, 77-year-old Talbot Edwards, to get close to the jewels, and how he even had to flatten St. Edward's Crown to hide it beneath his clerical coat. Did he get away with it?? You’ll have to tune in to find out! For images of the jewels discussed in this episode, follow the podcast at @historygemspod on Twitter and Instagram.