Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Pied Piper of Hamelin" in English language version.
"Et mater domini Johannis de Lude decani vidit pueros recedentes" Notes to the quote: He was a Stiftsdechant, which, in German, can also be written Dekan and Dekant. In English this position is called Dean. He was a dean, not a deacon.