“The alleged treachery of the abbot and monks of Ely after William seized monastic lands is blamed for the ultimate surrender.”

“The abbot and other monks preferred tap water, but it was not yet available.”

“The informally dressed abbot offered only a simple expression of respect before dismembering the statue.”

“Under the abbacy of St Ailred, it flourished, becoming the largest Cistercian community in England.”

“During his abbacy, he kept the Buckfast community abreast of changes in the outside world.”

“Robert Ramsey succeeded to the abbacy in 1346, but of him nothing particular is recorded.”

“Upon the death of Mian, there apparently was little question that a member of the founding three abbots would succeed Luang Por Yai to the abbotship.”

“The distribution and control of offices, such as countships, abbacies, and bishoprics, became the main foci of the political rivalries.”

“The king retained his influence over elections to abbacies and bishoprics, and continued to receive their revenues during vacancies.”

“Nobles occupied all bishoprics and all the choicest abbacies and canonries.”

“The council was attended by 500 bishops, 70 abbots and over 1,000 other clergy.”

“Most of the early medieval saints were bishops, abbots, and abbesses with an impeccable social pedigree.”

“Until the Reformation, the spiritual peerage also included abbots and priors, and spiritual peers formed a majority of the House of Lords.”