Biography of Henry Vane "The Elder" 1589-1655

On 18th February 1589 Henry Vane "The Elder" was born to [his father] Henry Vane of Hadlow in Kent [aged 29] and [his mother] Margaret Twyden [aged 25].

Around 14th October 1596 [his father] Henry Vane of Hadlow in Kent [aged 36] died.

Around 1612 Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 22] and Frances Darcy [aged 21] were married. She being one of the heirs, possibly the only heir, of her father Thomas Darcy. She brought considerable wealth to the marriage as evidenced by Henry's subsequent spending on court positions. Immediately after the marriage Vane writes... I put myself into court, and bought a carver's place by means of the friendship of Sir Thomas Overbury [aged 31], which cost me £5,000.' Next year he devoted the £3,000 of his wife's portion to purchasing from Sir Edward Gorges a third part of the subpoena office in chancery, and later so ingratiated himself with the king [aged 45] that James gave him the reversion of the whole office for forty years.

Before 26th March 1613 [his son] Henry Vane "The Younger" was born to Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 24] and [his wife] Frances Darcy [aged 22]. He married 1st July 1640 Frances Wray and had issue.

In 1617 Sir David Foulis sold Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 27] the post of cofferer to the Prince of Wales [aged 16], and he continued to hold this office after Charles had become king.

In 1618 [his son] George Vane of Long Newton was born to Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 28] and [his wife] Frances Darcy [aged 27]. He married 27th March 1640 Elizabeth Maddison and had issue.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 2nd July 1619. The 2nd my Lord [aged 30] and Sir Henry Vane [aged 30] played at bowls. This night my Lady Margaret [aged 5] was 5 years old so as my Lord caused her health to be drank throughout the house.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 6th October 1619. The 6th Lady Selby was my deputy in christening Sir Henry Vane's [aged 30] child. Mr Walter Stuart and Sir Robert Yeakley were godfathers—the child was named Walter.

The 7th Bess of the Laundry went away and one Nell came in her room. About this time I kept my chamber and stirred not out of it till the latter end of March so as most of my friends thought I should not have escaped it.

In 1623 [his daughter] Margaret Vane Lady Pelham was born to Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 33] and [his wife] Frances Darcy [aged 32]. She married 3rd June 1640 her fourth cousin once removed Thomas Pelham 2nd Baronet, son of Thomas Pelham 1st Baronet and Mary Walsingham Baroness Pelham Laughton, and had issue.

In 1623 [his daughter] Anne Vane was born to Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 33] and [his wife] Frances Darcy [aged 32]. She married in or before 1644 Thomas Liddell 2nd Baronet and had issue.

In 1626 Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 36] purchased Raby Castle, County Durham [Map] from the Crown.

Around 1630 [his mother] Margaret Twyden [aged 66] died.

On 27th March 1640 [his son] George Vane of Long Newton [aged 22] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Maddison [aged 21] were married. They had thirteen children.

On 3rd June 1640 [his son-in-law] Thomas Pelham 2nd Baronet [aged 42] and [his daughter] Margaret Vane Lady Pelham [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Lady Pelham of Laughton. The difference in their ages was 25 years. They were fourth cousin once removed.

On 1st July 1640 [his son] Henry Vane "The Younger" [aged 27] and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Wray [aged 23] were married.

In or before 1644 [his son-in-law] Thomas Liddell 2nd Baronet and [his daughter] Anne Vane [aged 20] were married.

After 16th February 1654 [his son-in-law] Francis Vincent 3rd Baronet [aged 33] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Vane Lady Vincent were married. She by marriage Lady Vincent of Stoke d'Abernon.

In 1655 Henry Vane "The Elder" [aged 65] died.

On 2nd August 1663 [his former wife] Frances Darcy [aged 72] died.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Vane Lady Vincent was born to Henry Vane "The Elder" and Frances Darcy. She married after 16th February 1654 Francis Vincent 3rd Baronet, son of Anthony Vincent 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Acland Lady Vincent.