Earl and wife left tied up in terrifying £700k raid on Goodwood House
THE Earl of March and his wife were tied up by an intruder who escaped with jewellery worth £700,000 after breaking into their stately home, police revealed today.
The Earl of March and his wife were tied up by an intruder who escaped with jewellery worth £700,000
A diamond ring given by Charles II to his mistress was among family heirlooms stolen.
Lord March, 61, was injured in the raid on 17th century Goodwood House in West Sussex, home to the annual Festival of Speed, after confronting the intruder in the early hours of Wednesday.
The noise woke Lady March, 54, who went to investigate and discovered the lone robber.
He forced the terrified countess to open a safe before helping himself to jewellery including the ring and an 1820 diamond tiara.
The man escaped after tying up the couple, leaving Lord March with an injury to his ear.
Police were not called until a member of staff arrived for work at 6.30am.
Detective Inspector Till Sanderson said: “This was a frightening ordeal and I pay tribute to the courage of Lord and Lady March.
A diamond tiara dating to 1820 was among the stolen items
Among the 40 pieces stolen were diamond necklaces, emerald, diamond and sapphire rings
They are devastated at the loss of these treasured items
"They are devastated at the loss of these treasured items, many of which are irreplaceable.”
Among the 40 pieces stolen were diamond necklaces, antique watches, emerald, diamond and sapphire rings, bracelets and earrings.
Investigators are working with auction houses and antique dealers to try to trace the haul.
The Charles II ring is engraved with a coronet and belonged to Louise de Keroualle, mistress of the Merry Monarch, who reigned from 1660 to 1685.
A diamond ring given by Charles II to his mistress was among family heirlooms stolen
A 26-year-old man from Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of robbery
It bears the initials CL for Charles Lennox, the king’s illegitimate son by the Breton noblewoman.
Lennox, Duke of Richmond, is an ancestor of Lord March.
A 26-year-old man from Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and bailed until next month.