Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-03
THIEVES AND STATE JEWELS
CROWNS THAT HAVE BEEN
SPIRITED AWAY BY BURGLARS
Robberies Recalled by the Disap,
pearance From Dublin Castle Of
the st. Patrick Regalia.

From London Tit-Bits
The sensational discovery of the disap-
pearance from Dublin Castle of the pre-
cious regalia of the Order of ST. Patrick is
a most eloquent reminder that even the
most jealousy guarded treasures are not
always safe from the evil designs of clever
enterprising thieves.
The crown of Holland. which is said to
have cost E125O00 about seventy-five years
ago. actually underwent the indignity of
being stolen by burglars. For nearly
couple of years they had it in their pos
session and eventually some of the gems
from it 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 vic!SSitudes than any other
European crown. long time ago. owing
TO the extinction of the royal male line
there were several candidates for the Hun
Sarian throne and eventually the diet be-
slowed the crown on their own nominee.
Having been persuaded to appear in pub
nc 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 disap-
pointed the Hungarians thereupon made
Otto of Bavaria their monarch on condition
that he made 1t his business to steal pack
the missing crown.
Ruse Of Otto of Bavaria.
To effect this purpose Otto made his way
into Bohemia disguised as merchant, re-
covered the precious crown and started
back to his kingdom with it concealed in a
cask slung at the rear of the wagon. In
the course of the journey. however, = was
nearly lost again. for the jo.tng of the
vehicie caused the Cask to fall into deep
ditch. 1t was only fished out with great
dlmculty. but its adventures were ended
TOR 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 it across the
river Danube to German territory where
she herself sought refuge
When pressed for ready cash she raised
nearly 3.uo ducats upon the crown. which
she pledged to the Emperor Frederick.
Countless lives We're lost and much blood
shed before it could be recovered and re-
stored to Hungary. but once again there
1t was locked up in a strong fortress and
guarded night and day
For the space Of a couple of centuries the
crown had comparati lively, quiet time
though at the time of the revolution it had
narrow escape. In order to protect il
from the Austrians it was buried by band
cealed for nearly fifty years
Recovery of the Crown.
1t was then dug up from it's hiding place.
much the worse for its extraordinary ex-
periences. and conveyed to the Hungarian
capital. Since then the crown of Hungary
mas not Inquired so conspicuously in the
romance of stolen royal embIeIns
1t was some 236 years since the regalia in
she Tower of London had a narrow escape
from the rate which has apparently over
taken that of the Order OF St Patrick.
Having concocted pot with three kindred
as Col Thomas Blood. induced the keeper
OF the crown jewels to admit him and his
confederates to view them.
NO sooner was the door of the chamber
closed, in accordance with invariab BILE prac-
nee than a cloak was flung over the
Keepers head. a gag thrust into his mouth
and an iron, hook fixed to his nose These
impediments failing to quiet him. he was
Immediately making off with the crown
and globe.
Next moment the keeper who had been
knocked senseless. regained consciousness.
ana. nearing his shouts, his daughter
rushed out screaming Treason. treasonl
The crown is stolen," The thieves were
speedily run down and. Notwithstanding
resistance were captured with the jewels
in their possession.
With an insolence all his own. Blood
boosted that 1t was "a bold bid for a
CROWN and refused to make any con-
fession except to the king in person THE
ereminate curiosity of Charles II secured
not only admission to the royal presence
put pardon and reward for his daring
IN Irish estates worth $500 year which
were granted to the daring rufflan
Loss of Scottish Crown.
Other crowns have been stolen at differ
eht times among them that of Scotland
When that country was invaded by the
English. under Cromwell. the crown with
all the other royal regalia was removed for
safety to Dunnottar Castle.
Finally the invaders captured Edinburgh
and when they were laying siege to Dun
nottar the defender of that place was
urged to give up the crown and other
property that it could be concealed
from the English in some remote castle in
the highlands.
This the officer refused to do, and conse-
quently pan for stealing the precious
jewels was devised by a daughter Of the
Earl OF Mar, which was successfully car
ried out by the wife of the minister Of
from Dunnottar.
From the English general she obtained
permission to visit Dunnottar, and with
the crown concealed in her dress she
mounted her horse for the return journey
being helped into the saddle by the English
foot with the sword and scepter secreted
in bundles of lint. which it was pretended
were to be spun into thread.
They passed safely through the English
lines. and on arriving at kineff the crown,
with the other articles, was buried by the
minister secretly in the churchyard. He
afterward made a careful record of their
burial SO that in case of his death his rela-
tives friends should know where to find
them. 1t only remains to be said that they