William Dean

Who they were

William Dean of Yorkshire was ordained at Soissons in 1581, 'a man distinguished by the soundness of his morals and learning'. Banished in 1585 under threat of death, he quickly returned.

Condemned for his priesthood after the Armada, he was the first to die on the new gallows at Mile End on 28 August 1588; when he tried to speak to the people, his mouth was violently stopped.

The miracles

As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.

Why that counted as sanctity

A priest who defied banishment to serve his people.