From Holland, Blood journeyed into England, where, becoming
acquainted with some republicans, he entered into projects with
them calculated to disturb the nation's peace; which fact
becoming known, he was obliged to seek refuge in Scotland. Here
he found fresh employment for his restless energies, and in the
year 1666 succeeded in stirring up some malcontents to rebellion.
The revolt being quelled, he escaped to Ireland; and after a
short stay in that country returned once more to England, where
he sought security in disguise.
He lived here in peace until 1670, when he made an attempt no
less remarkable for its ingenuity than notable for its villainy.
Towards the end of that year the Prince of Orange, being in
London, was invited by the lord mayor to a civic banquet.
Thither the Duke of Ormond attended him, and subsequently
accompanied him to St. James's, where the prince then stayed. A
short distance from the palace gates stood Clarendon House, where
the duke then resided, and towards which he immediately drove, on
taking leave of his royal highness. Scarce had he proceeded a
dozen yards up St. James's Street, when his coach was suddenly
stopped by a band of armed and mounted men, who, hurriedly
surrounding his grace, dragged him from the carriage and mounted
him on a horse behind a stalwart rider. Word of command being
then given, the gang started at a brisk pace down Piccadilly.
Prompted by enemies of the duke, as well as urged by his own
desires to avenge his loss of property and the death of his
fellow-conspirators, Blood resolved to hang him upon the gallows
at Tyburn.
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