Audacious English Crown Jewels Burglary (Video)
In the summer of 1303, while King Edward I of England was campaigning in Scotland, news arrived of a major theft: tens of thousands of pounds worth of silver and gold had been stolen from the royal treasury. This theft took place in the Pix chamber at Westminster Abbey, considered one of the most secure rooms in England at the time. The chamber, originally part of a Benedictine monastery, had been walled off and repurposed as a treasury in the 13th century, housing significant royal regalia and precious items.
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King Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks, had been focused on military campaigns in Scotland, leaving the governance of Westminster in the hands of less reliable officials. This absence led to a decline in security and oversight. John Cich, the Keeper of the Castle at Westminster, and his assistant William, were noted for their negligence and disreputable behavior.
The mastermind behind the theft was Richard Pudlicott, a disgruntled former merchant with a personal vendetta against the king. He managed to penetrate the thick walls of the treasury over several months, exploiting the lax security. Despite the significant loss, many stolen items were eventually recovered.
Pudlicott was captured and confessed but refused to name any accomplices. He was executed, and legends suggest his skin was displayed as a deterrent, though this is likely apocryphal. The incident led to the Pix chamber never being used for royal treasures again. This brazen crime serves as a striking example of medieval security failures and the perils of negligence during times of political turmoil.
Top image: View of Westminster Abbey, London. Source: marco/Adobe Stock
