Great Crown Jewels Robbery Of 1303 : The Extraordinary Story of the First Big Bank Raid in History

English

ISBN: 0786716649

EAN: 9780786716647

Category: Social Science / Criminology/History / Europe / Great Britain/Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry/

Publisher: Basic Books

Release Date: 09/01/2005

Synopsis: Many people know of Colonel Bloods attempt to steal the Crown Jewels during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685). However, Bloods conspiracy wasnt the first, and certainly not the most successful. In 1303, while Edward I of England was north of the Scottish border trying to crush William Wallace, hed stashed his treasure safely in Westminster Abbeybehind iron-bound doors, in a place of sanctity which housed Christs body, not to mention pious Benedictine monks. Enter Richard Puddlicott, a former merchant who had been arrested in the Low Countries because of Edward Is debts. This charming dissolute rogue infiltrated the Abbeys inner circle (entertaining them on the proceeds of their own silver) and, before long, had helped himself to a good part of the treasure. The Kings fury knew no bounds, but Puddlicott ran his men a merry dance before eventually being captured and sentalong with forty monksto his death in the Tower. This compelling work is an exhilarating tale of cunning deceit, lechery, feisty villains, meddling monks, greedy goldsmiths, and devious pimps and prostitutes. It takes the lid off both the medieval underworld and the assumed piousness of the monastic community.

Excerpt: Unknown Property Excerpt

Great Crown Jewels Robbery Of 1303 : The Extraordinary Story of the First Big Bank Raid in History

Illustrated: Yes

Format: Hardcover

Height: 1.02 inches

Width: 5.5 inches

Length: 8.25 inches

Weight: 18.52 oz

Pages: 304