Sir Henry Vane the Younger
(1613-1662), RevolutionarySitter associated with 14 portraits
Unknown man, formerly known as Sir Henry Vane the Younger
attributed to Gilbert Soest
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1650
NPG 575
by William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1662
NPG D22965
by William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1662
NPG D22966
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D26927
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, 1742
NPG D26923
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, published 1742 (1742)
NPG D42932
by Charles Grignion
line engraving, 1757
NPG D26924
Oliver Cromwell and Charles II with their supporters
printed by H. Reynell
woodcut, late 18th or early 19th century
NPG D32633
Oliver Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament
by John Hall, after Benjamin West
line engraving, published 1789 (1783)
NPG D34360
Key to Charles I Demanding in the House of Commons the Five Impeached Members
after John Singleton Copley
etching, (1795)
NPG D26376
after Unknown artist, published by Samuel Woodburn
mezzotint, published 1811
NPG D26928
by Richard Earlom, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, published 1811
NPG D4561
published by George Smeeton
stipple engraving, published 1 October 1814
NPG D26925
published by George Smeeton
stipple engraving, published 1814
NPG D26926
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Laurie Pettitt
03 March 2017, 18:24
This man was quite amazing but there was one thing that sullied his otherwise amazing reputation. We'll deal with that Later.
There are a number of American writers about Vane, particularly in relation to his dealings with Roger Williams. Vane became Governor of Massachusetts at the age of 26. The Church in Boston had, as many people do given freedom of conscience, closed its doors and its mind to new thinking. Vane left Massachusetts in tears.
The next thing Vane was involoved in, and it was a shabby involvement, was in the trial of Strafford (Thomas Wentworth). It can only be called Skulduggery. Old Wentworth recalled a conversation. Young Wentworth first claimed to know nothing about it and later claimed to have seen a written note of Strafford offering to use his Irish Army to reduce England. It was never so. In closed council, Strafford had suggested using the Irish Army to reduce the quarrelsome Scots. Vane told porkies. Worse still, the porkies were in retaliation for Strafford claiming the title of Baron of Raby for his son; a title that the Vanes had been after for years.
Vane almost redeemed himself in his efforts in Parliament and his amazing ability to supply Cromwell's army on the move. THen..... He was part of the Parliament who had attempted to undo the Instrument of State (2 houses and a ruler) and put themselves into power infefinitely, replacing members, not by votes, but by their own selection (A bit like New Labour). Vane, a strong Republican never dropped the 'Sir' in his title, which always struck me as a bit 'iffy'. Later he became involved with the Looney Tune 5th Monarchists, expecting to rule England until the Second Coming.
Although not a Regicide, Vane was thought too dangerous to live and his 'Death' speech so concerned the Powers that be that they drowned him out with trumpets.
Hard to sum him up. But.... At heart, like us all, a good man with flaws.