The Execution of Charles Vane was a pivotal moment in the conflict on New Providence Island against Governor Woodes Rogers and his rule. While Vane was successfully executed, his death sparked a full fledged and powerful resistance movement against the Governor.
History[]
Background[]
During the Rescue of Jack Rackham, Charles Vane was captured by the New Providence Militia. Afterwards, he was imprisoned in Fort Nassau awaiting transfer to London for trial. Eleanor Guthrie approached him, offering him a sentencing plea where his execution is carried out quickly and quietly in exchange for a signed confession. He refuses, and she hits him several times in anger, for he had killed her father Richard Guthrie. After this, Woodes Rogers fell ill and Eleanor was left in charge of Nassau.
Meanwhile, Billy Bones remained on the island after the Walrus departed along with Ben Gunn and Wayne. They meet with Augustus Featherstone and Idelle in order to work on a rescue plan. However, they must first deal with the fact that Vane is supposed to be shipped out the next day. Billy then enlists Jacob Garrett, a gifted orator determined to be famous, and has him help turn public opinion against the Governor, particularly his closeness to Eleanor, who was notoriously unpopular during her reign as trade boss in Nassau.
The tactic works and soon the street demands that Vane be tried in Nassau out in the open, so they can see it with their own eyes. Eleanor relents and has the crew of the HMS Shark stand down. Max advocates for holding the trial in Nassau to appease the street.
The Trial[]
Eleanor fears that a lengthy trial would stall Rogers' progress in restoring commerce to Nassau. She holds an accelerated trial in the middle of the night, appointing a judge and impaneling a jury, and it is over before anyone knows it.
The Execution[]
Vane is brought to the town square, where a jeering crowd has assembled. The gallows is guarded by a squad of Redcoats. Billy and Jacob have a dozen men on their side, and they hope to cause enough chaos by turning the crowd against Eleanor, which will allow them to break the soldiers' lines and free Vane. However, Vane discreetly signals them not to go through with it. He then gives a speech to the assembled citizens. He tells them that Rogers is trying to use his death to frighten them into submission, but he reminds them that there are more of them than Rogers' men. He is then hanged, however the crowd is solemn, and Vane's speech seems to have had its intended effect. While he is choking, Jacob, Russell and Davis go to hold his body down in order to quicken his death.
Aftermath[]
Billy continues his efforts to ramp up the resistance against Rogers. He has a Black Spot sent to Captain Throckmorton demanding that Vane's gibbeted body be taken down. When Eleanor refuses, Billy has Throckmorton killed. After the Battle of the Maroon Island, hundreds of pirates join Pirate Resistance. Making their base out of the Barlow Estate, they eventually control most of New Providence Island and meet Rogers' forces in battle multiple times.
Trivia[]
- Vane was executed in 1721 in Spanish Town, Jamaica in real life.