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Lane, born to Sir Ralph Lane and Maud Parr Lane of Northhampton, attended Oxford University in 1554 and served in the English Parliament in late 1550s and early 1560s.
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By 1563 Lane was serving in Queen Elizabeth I’s court, marking the beginning of a career of service to queen and country.
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Lane participated in a force that suppressed a rebellion in Scotland in 1569 where he gained accolades for his military skill.
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By the late 1570s and early 1580s, he was developing plans and offering his services in helping England struggle with Spain.
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By the early 1570s, Lane had involved himself in maritime affairs which included a queen’s commission to seize ships in 1571.
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In 1583, Lane received a commission to go to Ireland and direct the construction of forts.
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In 1585 the queen recalled Lane from Ireland and he was given command of the colony that Sir Walter Raleigh was organizing to sail to Virginia (Roanoke Island).