Post by Catsmate on Jan 4, 2020 15:15:45 GMT
On the night of 5-6th July 1907 a supposedly locked office and safe in the Clock Tower1 of Dublin Castle were opened and a set of jewels known as the Irish Crown Jewels2 were stolen. Despite multiple investigations, allegations, psychic readings, defamation cases, commentary in parliament, mysterious communications and the involvement of Arthur Conan Doyle, the set, valued today at about thirty million Euro, has never been recovered.
The Jewels.
The jewels were the formal regalia of the Order of Saint Patrick, of the highest orders of chivalry3 in the then British Empire and often referrred to as the State Jewels of Ireland. They consisted of the heavily jewelled star and badge:
Five sets of jewelled collars worn by knights of the order were also stolen. The total value at the time was thirty five thousand pounds.
They were in the custody of the Ulster King of Arms, Sir Arthur Edward Vicars. The position of "King of Arms" was (and is) and administrative position whose holder is responsible for issuing coats-of-arms, certifying lineages and arbitrating in disputes of the inheritance of titles. Vicars was born in Britain but lived most of his life in Ireland and was a noted expert in genealogical, heraldic and archaeological matters. His career abruptly ended after the theft when he was held responsible for neglecting security and stripped of his position. He was killed during the Irish War of Independence in 1921.
The Theft.
On the morning of 6th July 1907 a cleaner (Mrs. Farrell) found the door of the offices of the Ulster King of Arms open, the keys dangling on the lock. She left a note for Vicars, via the office messenger William Stivey, after completing her rounds.
There were (officially) seven keys to the door of the Office of Arms and two keys to the safe though allegations were made of additional copies made after keys were mislaid. Copies could probably have been made in a few hairs if a key had been 'borrowed'.
The safe was in an inner room, the library, whose door was shut and bolted on the outside. The library contained a number of locked cabinets
for papers and record books and a glass display case holding the two
state maces, the sword of state, a jewelled sceptre, and two large
silver spurs.
Vicars did not react to the news and the theft was only found that afternoon when he sent Stiveya messenger to the library, with the safe key, to secure one of the jewelled collars of the order.
Stivey found the safe unlocked and found the regalia missing.
Vicars was an alcoholic and known to get drunk in the evenings in his office, sometimes spending the night there in a stupor. On at least once occasion he was awoken by his staff in the morning wearing the regalia; this may have been done by him or as a joke by others. On another occasion when Vicars was drunk at a party, Lord Haddo (son of the then lord lieutenant of Ireland), purloined one of the safe keys, removed the jewels and returned them to Vicars by post, as a joke5. On occasion Vicars attached the safe key to his principal office key-ring and left it lying around; at least once a maid found the key on his desk at home and sent it by messenger to the castle.
The second safe key was (supposedly) locked in a drawer in his desk at home in Clonskeagh6.
another
The Inquiry.
As might be imagined there was a bit of a stir caused by the theft of thirty grand's worth of King Edward VII's property7. Especially given the political atmosphere8 and the imminent arrival of that monarch to Dublin.
The in investigation was started by the Dublin Metropolitan Police but rapidly a senior officer (Detective Chief Inspector John Kane) was dispatched from Scotland Yard arrived. Despite much activity no arrests were made.
The police report has never been released.
The whole business rapidly began to stink of a cover-up. Despite immense pressure Vicars refused to resign his position nor would he appear at a Viceregal Commission into the theft, held the following January. Vicars demanded a public Royal Commission be empaneled, with the power to compel attendance and hear testimony under oath. This didn't happen.
Vicars publicly accused Shackleton (who'd been out of the country when the theft happened and was the brother of unsuccessful antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton) of organising the robbery. Kane attended the Commission and denies that Shackleton was involved, he was exonerated in the Commission's report which blamed Vicars careless. He was forced to resign but blamed Shackleton to the last9.
So why the cover-up and secrecy? Homosexuality was illegal and Oscar Wilde has been jailed a decade earlier; it was the secret that could destroy a man's career and life.
Vicars, Shackleton and Haddo were gay.
The exact nature of their relationship(s) and activities are unknown, as are most of the others in their circle, but rumours say the police report named as many as fifteen men, officials, members of the nobility and army officers as part of a "sodomite circle" and referred to homosexual orgies in the castle.
One other person, an Army captain named Richard Gorges, is known to have been involved with the group; in 1912 Laurence Ginnell used Parliamentary Privilege to describe Gorges as "a reckless bully, a robber, a murderer, a bugger, and a sod" and referred to the commission being used to conceal crimes much worse than theft".
So what happened? It's difficult to say given that none of the jewels have been recovered (but given the lack of micro-photography and marking in 1907 that's not surprising). The stolen items may have been broken up and sold on, or they may have been hidden away somewhere.
Game use.
It's an interesting, even fascinating story, and could be used in an AITAS game in several ways.
1. Background.
Perhaps the PCs are in Dublin and merely hear of they theft, without encountering any of the parties. It may disrupt their plans (to meet Edward VII and Alexandria?) or the extensive police activity may complicate matters for the,
2. Periphery.
Maybe the PCs need to pop into the castle for some reason (ancient artefact? records?) and get involved in the edges of the robbery.
3. Involvement.
What if the theft wasn't carried out by someone from 1907 but by a time traveller? The Alexandrian Society wouldn't even need a drunk Vicars and stolen keys, given their technological edge. Or someone else might covet the jewels.
Or possibly the PCs need to stage the theft; are some of those Brazilian diamonds actually something more than simple impure carbon?
4. Investigation.
Maybe the PCs, or other time travellers, are in Dublin to solve the mystery of the theft. No add in complications suchnas the robbery failing or the loot disappearing...
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?
1. Also known as Bedford tower.
2. In the sense of being Crown property, rather than used in the coronation ceremony.
3. Comparable to the orders of the Thistle or Garter and with few members outside the nobility and Royal family.
4. Before portable oxy-acetylene gear, thermal lances and linear shaped charge. Let alone plasma cutters or lasters.
5. Or as a prelude to the robbery.
6. A house Vicars shared with Francis Shackleton...
7. Back when one pound was a quarter-ounce of gold.
8. Labour unrest, the clashes between the Irish Parliamentary Party and Sinn Féin and the ongoing matter of Home Rule.
9. And beyond. He named Shackleton as the thief in his will.
The Jewels.
The jewels were the formal regalia of the Order of Saint Patrick, of the highest orders of chivalry3 in the then British Empire and often referrred to as the State Jewels of Ireland. They consisted of the heavily jewelled star and badge:
- A Diamond Star of the Grand Master of the Order of St. Patrick composed of brilliants (Brazilian stones) of the purest water, 4 5⁄8 by 4 1⁄4 inches, consisting of eight points, four greater and four lesser, issuing from a centre enclosing a cross of rubies and a trefoil of emeralds surrounding a sky blue enamel circle with words, "Quis Separabit MDCCLXXXIII." in rose diamonds engraved on back. Value about £14,000.
- A Diamond Badge of the Grand Master of the Order of St. Patrick set in silver containing a trefoil in emeralds on a ruby cross surrounded by a sky blue enamelled circle with "Quis Separabit MDCCLXXXIII." in rose diamonds surrounded by a wreath of trefoils in emeralds, the whole enclosed by a circle of large single Brazilian stones of the finest water, surmounted by a crowned harp in diamonds and loop, also in Brazilian stones. Total size of oval 3 by 2 3⁄8 inches; height 5 5⁄8 inches. Value £16,000.
Five sets of jewelled collars worn by knights of the order were also stolen. The total value at the time was thirty five thousand pounds.
They were in the custody of the Ulster King of Arms, Sir Arthur Edward Vicars. The position of "King of Arms" was (and is) and administrative position whose holder is responsible for issuing coats-of-arms, certifying lineages and arbitrating in disputes of the inheritance of titles. Vicars was born in Britain but lived most of his life in Ireland and was a noted expert in genealogical, heraldic and archaeological matters. His career abruptly ended after the theft when he was held responsible for neglecting security and stripped of his position. He was killed during the Irish War of Independence in 1921.
The Theft.
On the morning of 6th July 1907 a cleaner (Mrs. Farrell) found the door of the offices of the Ulster King of Arms open, the keys dangling on the lock. She left a note for Vicars, via the office messenger William Stivey, after completing her rounds.
- The safe was to have been installed in a next-door strongroom, constructed when the offices were moved to the Clock Tower in 1903, but the safe was too large to fit through the strongroom door so it was placed (unsecured to wall or floor) in the library adjoining the office. The safe was a large affair, by Ratcliffe & Horner, and considered impregnable4
There were (officially) seven keys to the door of the Office of Arms and two keys to the safe though allegations were made of additional copies made after keys were mislaid. Copies could probably have been made in a few hairs if a key had been 'borrowed'.
The safe was in an inner room, the library, whose door was shut and bolted on the outside. The library contained a number of locked cabinets
for papers and record books and a glass display case holding the two
state maces, the sword of state, a jewelled sceptre, and two large
silver spurs.
Vicars did not react to the news and the theft was only found that afternoon when he sent Stiveya messenger to the library, with the safe key, to secure one of the jewelled collars of the order.
Stivey found the safe unlocked and found the regalia missing.
Vicars was an alcoholic and known to get drunk in the evenings in his office, sometimes spending the night there in a stupor. On at least once occasion he was awoken by his staff in the morning wearing the regalia; this may have been done by him or as a joke by others. On another occasion when Vicars was drunk at a party, Lord Haddo (son of the then lord lieutenant of Ireland), purloined one of the safe keys, removed the jewels and returned them to Vicars by post, as a joke5. On occasion Vicars attached the safe key to his principal office key-ring and left it lying around; at least once a maid found the key on his desk at home and sent it by messenger to the castle.
The second safe key was (supposedly) locked in a drawer in his desk at home in Clonskeagh6.
another
The Inquiry.
As might be imagined there was a bit of a stir caused by the theft of thirty grand's worth of King Edward VII's property7. Especially given the political atmosphere8 and the imminent arrival of that monarch to Dublin.
The in investigation was started by the Dublin Metropolitan Police but rapidly a senior officer (Detective Chief Inspector John Kane) was dispatched from Scotland Yard arrived. Despite much activity no arrests were made.
The police report has never been released.
The whole business rapidly began to stink of a cover-up. Despite immense pressure Vicars refused to resign his position nor would he appear at a Viceregal Commission into the theft, held the following January. Vicars demanded a public Royal Commission be empaneled, with the power to compel attendance and hear testimony under oath. This didn't happen.
Vicars publicly accused Shackleton (who'd been out of the country when the theft happened and was the brother of unsuccessful antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton) of organising the robbery. Kane attended the Commission and denies that Shackleton was involved, he was exonerated in the Commission's report which blamed Vicars careless. He was forced to resign but blamed Shackleton to the last9.
So why the cover-up and secrecy? Homosexuality was illegal and Oscar Wilde has been jailed a decade earlier; it was the secret that could destroy a man's career and life.
Vicars, Shackleton and Haddo were gay.
The exact nature of their relationship(s) and activities are unknown, as are most of the others in their circle, but rumours say the police report named as many as fifteen men, officials, members of the nobility and army officers as part of a "sodomite circle" and referred to homosexual orgies in the castle.
One other person, an Army captain named Richard Gorges, is known to have been involved with the group; in 1912 Laurence Ginnell used Parliamentary Privilege to describe Gorges as "a reckless bully, a robber, a murderer, a bugger, and a sod" and referred to the commission being used to conceal crimes much worse than theft".
So what happened? It's difficult to say given that none of the jewels have been recovered (but given the lack of micro-photography and marking in 1907 that's not surprising). The stolen items may have been broken up and sold on, or they may have been hidden away somewhere.
Game use.
It's an interesting, even fascinating story, and could be used in an AITAS game in several ways.
1. Background.
Perhaps the PCs are in Dublin and merely hear of they theft, without encountering any of the parties. It may disrupt their plans (to meet Edward VII and Alexandria?) or the extensive police activity may complicate matters for the,
2. Periphery.
Maybe the PCs need to pop into the castle for some reason (ancient artefact? records?) and get involved in the edges of the robbery.
3. Involvement.
What if the theft wasn't carried out by someone from 1907 but by a time traveller? The Alexandrian Society wouldn't even need a drunk Vicars and stolen keys, given their technological edge. Or someone else might covet the jewels.
Or possibly the PCs need to stage the theft; are some of those Brazilian diamonds actually something more than simple impure carbon?
4. Investigation.
Maybe the PCs, or other time travellers, are in Dublin to solve the mystery of the theft. No add in complications suchnas the robbery failing or the loot disappearing...
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?
1. Also known as Bedford tower.
2. In the sense of being Crown property, rather than used in the coronation ceremony.
3. Comparable to the orders of the Thistle or Garter and with few members outside the nobility and Royal family.
4. Before portable oxy-acetylene gear, thermal lances and linear shaped charge. Let alone plasma cutters or lasters.
5. Or as a prelude to the robbery.
6. A house Vicars shared with Francis Shackleton...
7. Back when one pound was a quarter-ounce of gold.
8. Labour unrest, the clashes between the Irish Parliamentary Party and Sinn Féin and the ongoing matter of Home Rule.
9. And beyond. He named Shackleton as the thief in his will.