VANE, SIR HENRY

v.

known as Sir Henry Vane the Younger

born 1613

died June 14, 1662, London, Eng.

English politician.

Son of the royal adviser Henry Vane the Elder (1589–1655), he was converted to Puritanism and in 1635 sailed to New England, where he served as governor of Massachusetts (1636–37). After returning to England, he became treasurer of the navy (1639), then served with his father in the Long Parliament , where they helped secure the impeachment of Thomas Wentworth, 1st earl of Strafford . The chief English negotiator of the Solemn League and Covenant , Vane became leader of the House of Commons (from 1643) and a member of the Commonwealth's Council of State (1649–53). After the Restoration , he was arrested, imprisoned (1660–62), and executed for treason.