Finch, Edward

In Latin: Edward Finch, M.A, residentiary Canon of this church, died 14th February in the year of our Lord 1737, aged 75. He came from an ancient family of nobles and men famous for their deeds which he further adorned with his honesty and elegant manners. He was most closely united to Henry, who also rests nearby, in benevolence, charity, and truly brotherly love, throughout a life spent in like manner. That they might do better and more generously to the needy and distressed, and  (which was dear to both of them) more secretly - this was the honourable and only rivalry between them. He greatly missing his brother, unwillingly (except that he would submit himself wholly to God's will) survived him for nine years. Through all his life he was endowed with the most easy manners and with a liberal temperament. He received the pious with reverence, the upright avidly and joyfully, the learned shrewdly and elegantly, the clever charmingly  and most urbanely, and all men humanely and benevolently. At last he left grieving, his loving wife [the companion of his bed] whom he loved equally to seek a resting place as one of the blessed. In these brothers friendships are for ever pursued which death can not destroy. Translation courtesy of York Minster Records, adapted.