Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-12
THIEVES HAVE TASTE
FOR STATE JEWELS
CROWNS HAVE BEEN SPIRITED
AWAY BY BURGLARS
Many Curious Robberieo Are Recalled
by the Disappearance from
Dublin Castle of ST. PAX
rick's Regalia


LONDON, Sept. 1.-THE sensational
discovery of the disappearance from
Dublin castle of the precious regalla OF
the Order of ST. Patrick is most elo-
quent reminder that even the most 1eal-
ously guarded treasures are not always
safe from the evil designs of clever, en-
terprising thieves.
The crown of Holland, which is SAID 10
have cost e125 900 about seventy-five years
ago, actally underwent the indigntty OF
being stolen by burglars. For nearly
couple of years they had 1t in their pos
session and eventually some of the gems
from ii were found near Brooklyn, in the
United States. The others subsequently
came to light in Belgium, and were ulti-
mately restored to their original purpose.
Perhaps the crown of Hungary has I'M
dergone more vicissitudes than any other
European crown. A long time ago, owing
to the extinction of the royal male line,
there were several candidates for the
Hungarian throne and eventually the
diet bestowed the crown on their own
nominee.
Having been persuaded to appear in
public in his coronation robes, with the
crown on his head, the new sovereign
was swooped down upon and carried off
by the king of Bohemia, crown and all.
Much disappointed, the Hungarians
thereupon made Otto of Bavaria their
monarch on condition that he make it his
business to steal back the missing crown.
To effect this purpose Otto made his
way into Bohemia disguised as mer-
chant, recovered the precious crown and
started back to his kingdom with il
concealed in cask slung at the rear OF
the wagon. In the course of the jour-
ney, however, it was nearly lost again.
for the jolting of the vehicle caused
the cask to fall into a deep ditch. It
was only fished out with great difficulty,
but its adventures were ended for time
with its arrival in Hungary.
The next person to tamper with the
crown was the widow of King Albert.
Aided by one of her ladies, she stitched
It up in cushion and struggled 1t across
the River Danube to German territory,
where she herself sought refuge.
When pressed for ready cash she raised
nearly 5000 ducats upon the crown, which
she pledged to the Emperor Frederick.
Countless lives were lost and much blood
shed before it could be recovered and
restored to Hungary, but once again
there 1t was locked up in a strong fort
ress and guarded night and day.
For the space of a couple of centuries
the crown had a comparatively quiet
time, though at the time of the revolu-
ton it had a narrow escape. In order
to protect it from the Austrians it was
buried by a band of patriots in forest,
where 1t lay concealed for nearly fifty
years.
Recovery of the Grown
1t was then dug up from its hiding
place, much the worse for its extraordin-
airy experiences, and conveyed to the
Hungarian capital. Since then the crown
of Hungary has not figured so conspic-
in, nc nj
emblems.
1t was some 236 years since the regalia
in the tower of London had narrow
escape from the fate which has appar-
emily overtaken that of the Order of
st. Patrick Having concocted plot
with three kindred spirits, a notorious
rascal, known to history as Colonel
Thomas Blood, induced the keeper of the
crown Jewels to admit him and his con-
federates to view them.
No sooner was the door of the chamber
closed in accordance with invariable
practice, than a cloak was flung over
the keepers head, a gag thrust into his
mouth and an iron mask fixed to his
nose. These impediments failing to quiet
him, he was knocked down and stabbed
the thieves Immediately making off with
the crown and globe.
Next moment the keeper. who had been
knocked senseless, regained conscious
ness, and. hearing his shouts, his daugh-
ter rushed out screaming "Treasoni trea-
son! The crown is stolen!" The thieves
were speedily run down and, notwith-
standing resistance, were captured with
Tgie Jewels in their possession.
With an insolence all his own, Blood
boasted that 1t was "a bold bid for a
crown" and refused to make any con-
fession except to the king in person. The
effeminate curiosity of Charles II secured
not only admission to the royal pres
ence, but a pardon and reward for
his daring in Irish estates worth ESQ.,
year. which were granted to the daring
ruffian.
Loss of Scottish Crown
Other crowns have been stolen at diff.
ferent times, among them that of Scot
land When that country was invaded
by the English, under Cromwell, the
crown with all the other royal regalis
was removed for safety to Dunnottai
castle.
Finally the invaders captured Edin.
burgh, and when they were laying sieg'
to Dunnottar the defender of that place
was urged to give up the crown anC
other property so that it could be con
cealed from the English in some remote
castle in the highlands.
This the officer refused to do, and con
sequently plan for stealing the precious
Jewels was devised by a daughter of tn.
Earl of Mar, which was successfully car
ried out by the wife of the minister d
Kineff, a parish four or five miles distan
from Dunnottar.
From the English general she obtained
permission to visit Dunnottar, and Will
fha GROWN ooncaaIA5 IN hsr Dress shf