King Charles' Coronation crown was once stolen and smashed with a mallet
ok.co.ukIn less than a month's time, the nation will come together to see King Charles crowned at Westminster Abbey, and, just like many of his predecessors, His Majesty will wear St Edward's Crown during the ceremony.The current model of the ancient artefact was created for King Charles II in 1661 after the restoration of the monarchy and has a fascinating history that includes being flattened by a mallet in an attempted theft.
While the Crown Jewels are now kept behind bomb-proof glass and guarded by over 100 hidden cameras in the Waterloo Block of the Tower of London, they had a far less secure home during the reign of Charles II.
Despite their unparalleled significance, the jewels were simply placed behind a metal grate and guarded by the elderly Master of the Jewel House.
It was during this time that one of the most daring attempts to steal the Crown Jewels took place. One of the most famous crimes at the Tower of London took place in May 1671 when Irish radical Colonel Thomas Blood and his gang members endeavoured to steal the Crown Jewels from the Jewel House.
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