morial erected to
him in the church. The manuscript Registers of the Parish of St. Crux
are in the College of Arms: the manuscript extracts do not commence
until the year 1678. His Will, however, is preserved. It is dated 30th
of Oct. 1639, and was proved at York on the 14th of April, 1640.
In a biography it should be the task of the writer to visualise the
personality of his subject as well as to record merely the material
events of his life. In this instance it would be quite impossible to do
so from lack of material, but yet from his works, and from the opinion
held of him by Michael Stanhope, and last, but not least, from the
contents of his own Will, I think some picture can be painted of him. A
man of learning is shown from his writings: a perusal of "Spadacrene
Anglica" will exhibit both the clearness of his intellect and the
forcibleness of his style. For many years he successfully practised
medicine at York. He was held in high esteem among his professional
brethren, and was recognized by them as a leader in the profession with
a broad mind, ready to listen to and investigate new ideas. His
personality is fully and finely revealed in his Will, and as this is the
only biography, as it were, written by himself, I append an extract from
it, so that he may speak for himself.
In the name of God, Amen.
I Edmund Deane of the Cittye of Yorke Doctor of Phisicke being some
what weake of bodye, yett in good & pfect remembrance of mynd &
understanding (praised be God therefore) and calling to mynd the
uncertainety of this my naturall life & my mortality, not knowing
howe soone I shall laye downe this my earthly Tabernackle & be
gathered to sleepe in the grave wth my fathers doe therefore
accordinge to the holy Ghost directions make, constitute, ordayne &
declare this my last Will and Testament for the better setleing of
peace & concord amongst my wife, friends & kindred heareby
revokeing in acte, deede and in lawe all other former Wills &
testaments whatsoever. In manner & forme following.
That is to say first & principally I comend & bequeath my soule
unto the ever blessed hands of Almighty God my heavenly father my
maker & creator, whoe out of his meer mercy, free will & love to
mankinde & to me in pticuler did vouchsafe to send his onely
begotten sonne before all eternity, Christ Jesus the pmissed
Messias into this world to
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