Fairfax, Henry

In Latin: Here lies Henry Fairfax, Doctor of Sacred Theology. Born among the people of York, of an ancient and noble family, a grandson of that [...] Fairfax. If you look to his deeds—he was great; if to his judgment—greater still. To the University of Oxford, which a generous foe had spared, he stood as its fiercest champion. Indeed, he preferred to leave his fellowship at Magdalen College rather than his fidelity. Neither the King’s threats, nor his enticements, could move him from his steadfast defence of religion. He could not be broken, and would not be bent. Before judges most unjust— before whom others gave way in obedience, but he in glory— he himself stepped forward and confronted them, suffering hardship more than he deserved. At last, assuming the Deanery of this Church, he unwillingly accepted the reward of the danger he had so freely undertaken. There, with simple eloquence, and with conduct as prudent as it was liberal, as severe as it was benevolent- with these virtues he defended the whole Church and adorned his own. He died on the twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord 1702, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. Thomas Fairfax, heir and grandson, set up this monument in gratitude and mourning.