Captain Charles Vane

Captain Charles Vane

Background

Charles "Chaz" Vane is the captain of the Ranger in the West Indies. He was once in a relationship with Eleanor Guthrie.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 1 I. played by Zach McGowan

Singleton confronts Mosiah, who is with Levi, and is upset that he is now going to back Captain Flint. As Mosiah and Levi are walking away, they are stopped by Rackham and Anne Bonny. Anne kills Levi and Vane steps out from the shadows. Later, Eleanor confronts Vane for killing Mosiah and punches him in the face and he punches her back. She threatens that if Flint doesn't win the vote then she will stop selling his cargo. He reminds her that Richard Guthrie is the one who sells his cargo and warns her never to challenge him in front of his crew again.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 2 II. played by Zach McGowan

The Prizemaster counts out 5,000 pesos worth of pearls and hands the bag towards Rackham. Vane walks in and asks Rackham what he is up to. Rackham tells him about Flint's search for the location of the L'Urca de Lime. Vane criticizes Rackham's plan, and in turn, Rackham points out that Vane hasn't been getting any leads from Eleanor lately. As he is looking to sell his loot, Captain Bridge insults Eleanor and Mr. Scott and then scoffs at the amount she is willing to pay for his loot. After Bridge threatens to take his loot elsewhere, Vane walks up and challenges him and Bridge backs down after he hears who Vane is. Vane asks to speak with Eleanor and asks her to provide him with the same information she used to. She calls his men undisciplined and unruly and refuses to change things.

Vane barges into Max's room and accuses Max of lying about having the schedule and Rackham notices John Silver looking through the peephole and tells Vane. Rackham and Vane go to the Wrecks in the evening and an Old Man walks up to them and asks for the pearls. Vane yells that Silver will have to appear to them if he wants the pearls. Vane stabs the Old Man to death and Old Man 2 walks up and asks for the pearls. Billy Bones and Flint arrive at the Wastes and they all begin to chase Silver, but he manages to get away.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 3 III. played by Zach McGowan

Eleanor, Rackham, Vane, Flint and Gates have a meeting and Flint immediately brings up that Vane killed Mosiah. After some haggling each party comes to an agreement on terms. As Vane and Rackham are walking back to their camp, a Ranger Crew Member tells Vane that Max is all his. Vane walks into a building where a beaten and naked Max is tied up. He asks her why she left the bordello when she had protection and she asks him how it felt when Eleanor threw him away. Vane then tells Rackham to get Max on a boat so she can leave.

Eleanor goes to Vane and they have sex. Eleanor hears Max screaming and runs out of Vane's tent and sees Hamund raping Max. Eleanor declares that Vane's crew from now on will be cut off from the island and its resources unless they elect a new captain and join Flint. Anne starts to walk towards Flint, but Vane threatens her. Eleanor tries to comfort Max, but Max tells her that Eleanor is the cause of everything by not leaving with her. Max then walks to Vane and says she will stay until her debt is paid.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 4 IV. played by Zach McGowan

Rackham finds Vane passed out in his tent from opium. Rackham leaves his tent and Vane looks out and sees Albinus staring at him and then seemingly disappear. Vane has a dream with Eleanor in it and wakes up and sees Albinus staring at him again. He gets up and follows him and is then ambushed by Noonan and his men. Vane kills Noonan's men and then crushes Noonan's throat.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 5 V. played by Zach McGowan

Vane, Rackham and Anne go to the brothel. Rackham hands Mrs. Mapleton a piece of paper where Noonan has apparently handed over ownership of the brothel to Vane. Mrs. Mapleton tells Rackham that she knows something is afoot and agrees to it if she gets a raise. Hamund and some other pirates walk into the brothel and tells Rackham, Anne and Vane that Eleanor is finished. Hamund gets upset when neither Rackham or Vane offer to join him in harassing Eleanor and leaves. Idelle tends to Vane and he tells her that Eleanor wields the most power as she doesn't depend on votes or if someone like or hates her. Later, Rackham watches as Vane takes a boat and leaves the island.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 6 VI. played by Zach McGowan

Vane docks his ship and he stands in front of Albinus.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 7 VII. played by Zach McGowan

Vane wakes up and Boy Slave tells him that Albinus is waiting for him. Vane follow Boy Slave into Albinus' lumber camp. Vane tells Albinus that Nassau is weak and tries to convince him to attack it. He offers a share to each man and one for Albinus for every sixth man. Albinus agrees to it if he gets a share for every three men. Albinus picks twelve of his men and says that they shall follow Vane. Albinus notices the scar on Vane and realizes that Vane used to be one of his. Vane tries to get Albinus' men to rebel against him. Vane and Albinus start to fight and Albinus wins. Vane is then buried alive. Later, Vane digs himself out his grave and beats Albinus to death after shoving a stake into his back and then stares at Albinus' people.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 1 Episode 8 VIII. played by Zach McGowan

Vane arrives at Nassau with the men from Albinus' lumber camp. They take over the fort and Vane walks up with his crew and tells Eleanor that they need to talk. Vane threatens to use the fort to attack any ships and offers to become Eleanor's partner. Vane confronts Rackham with Mrs. Mapleton and accuses him of betrayal and says that he will tell everyone that he betrayed men for a woman.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 1 IX. played by Zach McGowan

Jenks brings Eleanor to see Vane. They then wait as Vane finishes having sex with Idelle. Eleanor yells at Vane for not turning up at the Consortium meetings. She tells him that someone killed two watchmen and stole from warehouse and Captain Benjamin Hornigold, whose place he took, used to protect the Consortium. Vane asks Eleanor to consider if he plans on letting Flint's ship enter the bay and Eleanor warns him that she will remove him if he continues to antagonize her.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 2 X. played by Zach McGowan

Eleanor goes to the Consortium meeting which consists of Captain Lawrence, Captain Naft, Frasier, and Vane. Eleanor gets upset with how little Lawrence made on his trip. Lawrence tells her that her name is no longer in good order and he had to threaten an official that was trying to arrest him. Vane asks whose name Lawrence used to threaten the official and Lawrence admits it was Vane's name. After the meeting, Vane tells Eleanor that she should leave the Consortium and her partners are weak. They hear yelling and go down to the bar where Ned Low is cutting off Meek's head with a knife. Eleanor tells Ned he is to leave the island. O'Malley puts a sword to Ned's throat and they start to fight. Ned slashes O'Malley in the stomach and puts his sword to the back of O'Malley's neck. Eleanor tells Ned to stop, but he kills O'Malley and tells Eleanor that he isn't leaving. Later, Eleanor asks Vane to help her and tells him that Ned's crew captured something of great value.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 3 XI. played by Zach McGowan

Vane has sword practice with one of his men and afterwards, Jenks brings Ned to speak with Vane. Ned tells Vane that he believes that Vane is not to be crossed with and asks if he will have to deal with Vane after he deals with Eleanor. Ned tries to intimidate Vane and Vane tells him that he will not intervene on Eleanor's behalf. Ned then gives Van a pouch of money. Vane goes to the bordello and makes a deal with Max that she provide him with information on Ned's prize and he will remove the black mark he put on Rackham and Anne. As he is walking away, Max offers to tell him how she got over loving Eleanor, but he doesn't want to hear it.

Rackham and Anne return to the bordello and Vane asks Rackham and Anne to sit with him. Vane tells them that he wants to repair their reputations and he is doing it because of Max. Max tells Vane what Ned's cargo is and Vane shakes Rackham's hand publicly. While Ned is eating he hears shouting and Vane comes onto his ship. He tells Ned that he wants to make him an offer where Ned's crew joins Vane's crew. Ned tells him that he isn't interested and he thinks Vane is desperate and pulls out a knife. Vane's men sneak aboard Ned's ship and start killing the crew including Mr. Holmes. Vane continues that he will take everything Ned has and in return Ned will have a head start on running away. Ned calls for Holmes and Vane tells him Holmes doesn't work there anymore and Ned and Vane fight. Ned tries to choke Vane to death, but Vane grabs his knife and kills Ned and cuts his head off. Jenks then tells Vane that they found Abigail Ashe. Eleanor goes to the fort and she and Vane have sex. Vane shows Eleanor, Abigail and Eleanor worries that Abigail's father will retaliate.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 4 XII. played by Zach McGowan

Vane throws a bottle at Flint's Messenger and then tells Flint's Messenger to continue telling his message. Flint's Messenger tells him that if he fails to meet the demands and remain past the deadline, Flint will respond swiftly and definitively. Vane tells Jenks to move the cannons to the southwest bastion, but Jenks tells him that it cannot support the weight of the cannons, which Flint also knows. Jenks insinuates that Eleanor told Flint about their weakness and Vane asks Eleanor to promise to him that she didn't provide information to Flint. Eleanor tells Vane that she has nothing to do with Flint's plan.

As Eleanor, Babatunde and Flint's Messenger are about to leave, Jenks suggests to Vane that they use Eleanor as a hostage. Vane challenges Jenks to a fight and then orders the gates opened to let Eleanor leave. Vane goes to Abigail's cell and introduces himself to her. He asks her questions about Peter Ashe, but she tells him that she hasn't seen Peter in many years. He then has Abigail write her own ransom note with the demand of 250,000 pounds.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 5 XIII. played by Zach McGowan

Jenks reports to Vane the damage to the fort and the casualties. Vane tells Larson to take Abigail back to her cell. Vane then tells Jenks that he is leaving to kill Flint. At Eleanor's, Flint turns around and Vane attacks him with a knife.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 6 XIV. played by Zach McGowan

Flint and Vane continue to fight until they are stopped by Eleanor who fires a rifle in their direction. She tells them that they will stop their fighting at that instant and Flint asks Vane to sit down. Flint tells Vane that if Vane gives him Abigail then he will let Vane keep the fort. Flint tells Eleanor to bring Richard so he can hear what Flint is about to say. Richard arrives with Miranda Barlow and Flint describes what will happen if England decides to take back Nassau.

He tells them that Peter is a powerful man and if they return Abigail to him then Peter will help them. Eleanor tells Flint that Peter hates pirates, but Flint tells them that he and Peter were once friends. Vane demands that he get something tangible and demands he get Flint's man-o-war. Vane walks away and Eleanor tells him to stop and Vane tells her that she has to choose between him or Flint. Eleanor goes to Vane and tells him that they will offer Abigail in exchange for legitimacy. He tells her that he doesn't believe that England is willing to fight for Nassau and they kiss.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 7 XV. played by Zach McGowan

After Eleanor frees Abigail from her cell, Eleanor and Abigail barely make it to the other side of a gate and Eleanor starts to lock it before they are caught by Vane. Vane reminds Eleanor that he killed Ned for her and warns her that if she leaves with Abigail then things between them will change forever. Eleanor then locks the gate and leaves with Abigail.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 8 XVI. played by Zach McGowan

After crucifying Richard, Vane and his crew go to Charles Town to steal the Man-O'-War

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 9 XVII. played by Zach McGowan

Billy sees Vane's men climb onto the deck and warns his fellow pirates. A battle erupts and during it, Vane kills Joshua and then fights Billy. The battle ends and Jenks tells Vane that the Man-'o' War is secure. Vane tells Billy that his original plan was to recruit Billy if Singleton won the vote for captain. He tries to recruit Billy, but Billy tells him that he saw the garrison on Harbour Island and Flint's plan is the only plan.

Jenks tells Vane that they lost the forestay to a saboteur. Vane goes below deck and approaches Silver, but is ambushed by Vincent, who holds a knife to his throat. The Boat Captain tells Vane and his men that Peter has a message for them, Flint has violated Peter's trust and he will be placed under arrest. Flint will be put on trial and hung and if the pirate ship remains, it will be sunk. Vane gets free of Vincent and brings Vincent and Silver on deck. Vane tells his crew that Nassau is strongest when it is feared and suggests they free Flint.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 2 Episode 10 XVIII. played by Zach McGowan

Jenks argues with Vane over Vane's plan to rescue Flint. Jenks asks Vane what he is supposed to tell the crew who want to leave once Vane goes shore and Vane tells him to tell them that with a skeleton crew, they will be captured and killed. Vane asks Billy to convince his men to not start a fight while Vane is gone and promises not to kill Flint's crew after he gets Flint. As Vane is walking away, Billy tells him that Vane's current plan will not work, but he has something that may help. A Militia Guard walks up to Peter with a handcuffed Vane. Vane tells him that he has testimony in support of Flint and it is from Abigail's journal, which is handed to Peter. A Clerk reads aloud from Abigail's journal as Flint asks Vane what his plan is.

Vane makes a speech and raises his hands to the air. Vane's men then start firing upon the town square with the town's own cannons. Vane and Flint attack their guards and Flint and Vane get into a boat and start to row towards the Man-o'War and are fired upon by William Rhett and some militia men. The Man-o'-War opens fire on Rhett and kills him. Flint has Vane's men released and has the ship continue to fire upon Charles Town.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 1 XIX. played by Zach McGowan

Vane and his crew are chasing a ship when he tells Featherstone that the ship is throwing their slaves overboard. Vane's men board the ship and Slaver Captain shoots at Vane and misses. Slaver Captain is then thrown overboard with a heavy chain tied to his legs. Later, Vane walks into the bordello and yells Rackham's name. Vane accuses Rackham of knowingly sending him after a slave ship so they could use the slaves to rebuild the fort. Rackham complains that no one on Nassau wants to work and he has to use slaves. Vane watches as the slaves are forced to repair the fort and Rackham tells him that when he first saw all the gold, he thought he was going to make something great.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 2 XX. played by Zach McGowan

Mr. Scott tells Vane that he is confusing the slaves by working alongside them. As Vane is sitting in his camp, Blackbeard ambushes him and tells Vane that he resented him for many years for his betrayal, but then hugs Vane. They take a walk and Blackbeard tells Vane how he would continuously remember the smells of Nassau until he met Mary. Eventually however he heard about the Guthrie's being either dead or in prison and decided to return. Blackbeard then tells Vane he would like to meet his partners. Vane and Blackbeard go to speak with Rackham and Blackbeard insults Rackham. Rackham explains their goal of defending Nassau, but Blackbeard asks him why they are determined to defend it.

Pirate Recruit 1 and Pirate Recruit 2 recognize Blackbeard and ask to join his crew. Blackbeard says that when he was young, if someone wanted to join a crew of repute they had to fight someone else to get on the crew. He then complains that now people think they can just ask please to join a crew. Pirate Recruit 1 and Pirate Recruit 2 walk away and Blackbeard says that by giving Nassau prosperity, Vane and Rackham have changed Nassau for the worse. Pirate Recruit 1 then walks back to Blackbeard after beating Pirate Recruit 2 in a fist fight.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 3 XXI. played by Zach McGowan

Max tells Rackham, Vane and Featherstone about the incoming fleet and when they are expected to arrive. Rackham comes up with an idea to protect the bay with various crews including those belonging to Burgess, Woodall and the Cockrams. He continues that if they present a large show of force, the British may turn around and leave.

Captain Throckmorton and some other captains argue with Rackham about his plan to do a show of force when the English fleet arrives. Jacob Garrett says they need to have a plan if the bluff works and Vane gets upset with all the complaining. Rackham assure the captains that Flint will return and reminds them that they were given gold coins in assurance that they would defend Nassau. Blackbeard walks into the room and says that Flint was killed while being chased by Hornigold. He then offers himself to lead the pirate fleet to Vane if after the English are repelled, Vane leaves with him. Blackbeard tells Vane that Nassau is a burden to Vane and that no one in the other room would help Vane, and yet Vane is willing to die for them. Blackbeard tells Vane that he has no sons and so wants Vane to be his surrogate son.

Hornigold and Dufresne take a boat to Nassau. Hornigold gives a speech written by Woodes Rogers offering pardons to the pirates. He then continues that their is a bounty placed on Vane for 10,000 pounds. Throckmorton then walks up to Hornigold to receive his pardon as do other pirates.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 4 XXII. played by Zach McGowan

A group of pirates including Knocking Pirate gather at the fort and demand that Rackham give them Vane. Rackham has the gate opened to the fort and then shoots Knocking Pirate dead before closing it again. Featherstone tells Rackham that their crew have voted and they and they want Vane removed from the fort as they think the new governor might let them keep the fort and the gold. Later, Rackham tells Vane, Anne and Featherstone that he has set the explosives and they are about to go off. He tells Vane that he will cover Vane's escape, but he and the others plan on staying.

Rackham's explosives go off and as Vane is walking to the dock, he is ambushed by a group of pirates, but is helped by Blackbeard. Vane and Blackbeard make it onto Blackbeard's ship and Blackbeard has Reuben give Vane his spy glass so he can see that Eleanor is on Rogers' ship, The Delicia. While Blackbeard is having a ship filled with a wood fire, he makes sure Vane won't cause their trick to fail out of a need to get revenge on Eleanor. Vane gives a signal and the pirates on the ship jump off and he directs the ship directly at Rogers' ship. Vane's ship erupts in flames and Chamberlain has the crew fire at the ship and Vane jumps from his ship. Vane's fire ship rams into one of Rogers' other ships and the pirate fleet escapes.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 5 XXIII. played by Zach McGowan

Blackbeard tells Vane that they should arrive in Ocracoke in three days. He tells Vane about his wife Constance who had extreme superstitions and although he didn't believe in her superstitions, the conditioning she had on him causes him to exhibit the same behavior he had when he and Constance were married. He continues that he worries that Vane is having second thoughts of leaving Nassau and tells him that a lion keeps no den, because everywhere he roams belongs to him. A ship is spotted and Reuben tells him that it is a Spanish vessel.

Blackbeard's crew overtakes the Spanish ship and during the fight, Vane mortally wounds a Spaniard. The Spaniard asks for water and Vane tells Pirate Recruit 1-Ellers to bring him rum. Vane gives the Spaniard the rum and the Spaniard points out a deficiency in Vane's fighting. He explains to Vane that if they surrender then their wages are garnished and the ship's captain would lose his captaincy, but if they fight and die, their families might get compensation for their deaths. The Spaniard then gives a hint of what the ship was carrying. While Blackbeard, Vane, Reuben and Ellers are searching the Spanish documents, they find a rough draft of a plan to invade Nassau.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 6 XXIV. played by Zach McGowan

Flint and his crew land on the beach and are greeted by Blackbeard. Flint tells Blackbeard what has happened to his crew lately and then tells Blackbeard that he plans to reclaim Nassau. Blackbeard reminds Flint of how he came to Nassau and told them that their ways were wrong. He then tells Flint that as long as he controls the pirate fleet, Nassau will remain in the past. Flint says that the captains of the fleet made oaths to him not Blackbeard and Flint asks Vane to stick to their agreement. Vane tells Flint that Nassau doesn't deserve any more from him and Blackbeard challenges Flint to fight with pistols and then swords over who shall claim the fleet.

Dooley and Ellers prepare Flint and Blackbeard's pistols. The Referee Pirate gives the rules of the engagement which includes no quarter given. In the first round, Flint manages to shoot Blackbeard in the temple, but Blackbeard manages to get up and attacks Flint with his sword. Blackbeard beats Flint in sword-fighting and as he is about to kill Flint, Vane steps in and forces Blackbeard back. Blackbeard then walks up to Flint and tells him take Vane with him and leave. As they are sailing back to Nassau, Vane tells Flint about the Spanish plan to invade Nassau.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 7 XXV. played by Zach McGowan

Flint tells The Maroon Queen that they need to get the jewels that Rackham took. Vane tells her about the Spanish intelligence he came across that included a plan on invading Nassau. Flint tells The Maroon Queen of his plan to force Rogers' forces to attack the Maroons in their own territory where they will be at a disadvantage. The Maroon Queen tells everyone but Flint to leave.

Flint tells Madi, Silver, Vane and Billy his plan when they arrive at Nassau. Vane doesn't think it is worth it to try and recruit the pirates who turned their backs on them and Flint tells him the point is not to necessarily gain recruits, but to make those who don't join them afraid to fight them. Billy says that Silver should be the one sent to recruit. De Groot tells Flint that Nassau has been spotted.

As Featherstone is walking, he is pulled into the shadows by Vane and Featherstone tells Vane that Rackham is to be handed over to the Spanish. Featherstone asks Idelle to gather information on where Anne is to meet for the exchange. Featherstone tells Vane that they have to come up with a plan that gets Rackham back. Idelle then tells them where Anne is to exchange the jewels. Major Rollins rides up in a carriage to the meeting point and Anne asks where Rackham is. Rollins has his men get the chest and they leave. Vane and Anne board The Walrus and explain their plan to Flint of getting Rackham back.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 8 XXVI. played by Zach McGowan

Flint kneels by the fireplace in Miranda's abandoned home. He tells Vane to stop strumming Miranda's clavichord. Vane comments on how much energy it must require maintaining all of Miranda's fragile items. They debate about what is better, a life more comfortable or freedom. Anne walks in and suggests they search for where Rackham is being brought. Billy opens the door and tells them that a rider approaches and it is the man Featherstone sent to find out what route Rackham was being taken.

As Rackham is being escorted by Rogers, riders are seen approaching and Rackham tells an officer to engage the riders. The riders kill Rogers' escort and shoot the wagon tire, causing the wagon to crash. Two of the riders reveal themselves to be Vane and Anne and Anne kisses Rackham. Flint and Billy grab the chest while Vane and Anne stay behind to try and free Rackham. Vane has Anne ride away with Rackham and as he is about to ride away, Vane is shot by Rogers. Hornigold's men approach and beat Vane, who is about to kill Rogers.

During the events of Black Sails: Season 3 Episode 9 XXVII. played by Zach McGowan

Eleanor walks into Vane's cell and makes an offer to sign a confession which will allow him to be executed privately instead of through a public trial. He tells her that he knows the only thing she cares about is revenge for Richard. Vane calls Richard a cowardly shit who cared nothing for Eleanor. As Eleanor is leaving, Vane tells her that Richard offered to give her up if Vane spared her and Eleanor starts to beat Vane and then calls Vane an unformed human.

Pastor Lambrick visits Vane in his cell and asks him if he would like to repent his sins, which Vane refuses. Before Vane's execution, the Court Official tells the crowd that Rogers promised them order and prosperity. The Court Official calls Vane an animal and an impediment to prosperity. As Billy is about to have Jacob Garrett try and start a riot, Vane shakes his head at Billy. The Court Official asks if Vane has any last words. Vane tells the crowd that the authorities fear not just him but the locals as Vane represents a freedom that still may exist in them. A noose is put around Vane's neck and the cart he is standing on is ridden away. Although Vane's neck snaps, he continues to spasm and Billy has Jacob and his men pull on Vane's body to end Vane's suffering.