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Robberies: Blood

The attempted robbery was soon afterwards made known to the king, who commanded that the two persons first seized, and who had been lodged in the White Tower, should be examined in his own presence at Whitehall. This circumstance is supposed to have saved them from the gallows. During his examination Blood behaved with the most unblushing effrontery. He not only acknowledged having been leader in the atrocious attempt upon the life of the Duke of Ormond (whom he had intended to hang at Tyburn), but also avowed that he had been engaged to kill his Majesty himself, with a carbine, from among the reeds "by the Thames side, above Battersea, where he often went to swim;" that the cause of this resolution, in himself and others, was "his Majesty's severity over the consciences of the godly, in suppressing the freedom of their religious assemblies," but that "when he had taken his stand among the reeds for that purpose, his heart was checked by an awe of Majesty," which made him not only to relent himself, but likewise to divert his associates from their design.

When further questioned, as to those associates, he replied "that he would never betray a friend's life, nor ever deny a guilt in defence of his own." At the same time, he told the king that he knew these confessions had laid him open to the utmost rigour of the law; but that there were hundreds of his friends, yet undiscovered, who were all bound "by the indispensable oaths of conspirators, to revenge each other's death upon those who should bring them to justice;" which "would expose his Majesty and all his ministers to the daily fear and expectation of a massacre. But, on the other side, if his Majesty would spare the lives of a few, he might oblige the hearts of many, who, as they had been seen to do daring mischief, would be as bold, if received into pardon and favour, to perform eminent services for the crown." After this examination Blood and his accomplices were remanded to the Tower, there to be kept as close prisoners; but to the surprise of the nation they were all subsequently pardoned and released. Blood himself had landed property granted to him in Ireland, to the amount of pound 500 per annum; and was likewise admitted into "all the privacy and intimacy of the court," in which he industriously employed his influence, and became "a most successful solicitor" in other's behalf; but "many gentlemen courted his acquaintance as the Indians pray to the devils, that they may not hurt them." When it had been determined to pardon Blood, who, both by his own confession, and on strong evidence, was guilty of the attempt upon the Duke of Ormond's life, Lord Arlington was sent to inform his grace that it was his majesty's pleasure that Blood should not be prosecuted, "for reasons" which he (his lordship) "was commanded to give him"; but the duke interrupted him with the shrewd remark, "That his majesty's command was the only reason that could be given, and that therefore he might spare the rest."

Whilst the principal ruffian was thus favoured, old Edwards, after much intercession, could obtain only a grant on the Exchequer of pound 200 for himself and pound 100 for his son; but the payment, even of these sums, was so long delayed, and the expense of curing the old man's wounds so considerable, that they were obliged to sell their orders for half the amount in ready money.

Blood, in the latter part of his life, appears to have professed Quakerism. He died August 29th, 1680.