| Most of the early medieval saints were bishops, abbots, and abbesses with an impeccable social pedigree. |
| That is why we have abbesses in our tradition, as well as female doctors of the Church. |
| Abbots, abbesses and bishops were buried with their croziers, the pastoral staffs symbolic of their office. |
| Early abbesses were powerful and acted independently not only of the papacy, but also of the local bishop. |
| Also, at Beaconsfield, the abbesses took part in the council. |
| There are many women who, as abbesses or as ordinary nuns, did much for learning and welfare. |
