Vane (Sir Henry) Three works

Vane (Sir Henry)

Three works bound in one: [Sikes (George)] The life and death of Sir Henry Vane, Kt. or, A short narrative of the main passages of his earthly pilgrimage…, loss to M4 margin, hole and burn mark to O2, [ESTC R19959]; with: The tryal of Sir Henry Vane, Kt. at the Kings Bench, Westminster, June the 2d. and 6th. 1662…, [ESTC R21850]; and: Two treatises: viz. I. An epistle general, to the mystical body of Christ on earth, the church universal in Babylon. II. The face of the times…, [ESTC R7026]; occasional contemporary ink annotations, some spotting and browning throughout, contemporary panelled calf, later gilt-stamp of ‘The Society of Writers to the Signet’ to boards, rebacked and repairs to corners, 4to, s.n., 1662.

***Vane was a Parliamentarian and Anti-Monarchist, who was beheaded in 1662. Samuel Pepys recorded the event:

‘He made a long speech, many times interrupted by the Sheriff and others there; and they would have taken his paper out of his hand, but he would not let it go. But they caused all the books of those that writ after him to be given the Sheriff; and the trumpets were brought under the scaffold that he might not be heard. Then he prayed, and so fitted himself, and received the blow; but the scaffold was so crowded that we could not see it done....He had a blister, or issue, upon his neck, which he desired them not hurt: he changed not his colour or speech to the last, but died justifying himself and the cause he had stood for; and spoke very confidently of his being presently at the right hand of Christ; and in all things appeared the most resolved man that ever died in that manner, and showed more of heat than cowardize, but yet with all humility and gravity. One asked him why he did not pray for the King. He answered, "Nay," says he, "you shall see I can pray for the King: I pray God bless him!"’