10 Most Shocking Unsolved British Crime Mysteries

5. The Disappearance Of King John€™'s Treasure

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King John, fondly remembered as 'the Bad' was King of England from the 24th December 1166 until the 19th October 1216. During this time he acquired a great deal of wealth through both heavy taxation and inheritance. He was so attached to his money that he even used to take it with him when he travelled, a habit that would end in tears. In 1216, King John was travelling through an area of south-east England known as 'The Wash', named for its marshes and dangerous quicksands.

While there, he fell ill and made the decision to return to Newark Castle. King John raced ahead taking the longer but safer route around the outskirts of the marshes. His soldiers were instructed to meet the King at the castle bringing the King's personal possessions with them. However, they never arrived and King John never saw his beloved treasure again. It is reported that the soldiers attempted to take King John's carts directly through the marshes and were drowned. The carts containing his mass riches, including the crown jewels, were also lost.

The location of the carts and the treasure remains unknown and sits at the heart of one of history's greatest ongoing treasure hunts. While strictly speaking not a crime, the fact that nobody saw what happened to the treasure has led to wide speculation as to the true nature of its disappearance, many of these being criminal in nature. Theories range from theft to the King using the treasure for security on a loan and then faking its loss in the marshes.

Contributor
Contributor

Recent History graduate living in Newcastle. I like to travel and experience new things, my favourite place on earth has got to be the Great Barrier Reef. To date my greatest achievements include completing the National Pokedex and mastering how to make cheesy nachos.