Senior Clergy

A bishop was in charge of a cathedral and all the churches surrounding it, his diocese. He was appointed by the King and generally came from a wealthy or noble family. He would live in a large house and have much influence, often holding secular positions of authority as well.

An abbot was in charge of a monastery and was voted for by the monks. His deputy (or the head of a priory) was a prior.

Abbesses and prioresses were appointed by local church officials, but they would listen to the nuns. Abbesses tended to be bad businesswomen and nunneries often were very poor.

Next – Priests
Previous – Monasteries, Abbeys and Priories
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