Abbots were the highest grade within the monastic system, answering directly to the Pope. In England Abbots were generally appointed by the king but with input from the monks of the particular monastery; they selected a few candidates from their own fellow monks and the king chose one of them.
Not all monasteries had an Abbot in charge. Smaller monasteries (called priories) were headed by a brother Prior who was one grade below an Abbot. In the abbeys an Abbot might have a Prior and even a sub-Prior to assist him.
Some Abbots were granted the same rights as a bishop. They were then called "mitred Abbots" since they were entitled wear a bishop's mitre and ceremonial vestments, and carry a crozier.
It is not possible to answer that question for several reasons:
Among the earliest "abbots" in the sense of the heads of monasteries were:
Pachomius, head of 9 Christian monasteries in Egypt by 346 AD.
Augustine, head of a monastery in North Africa in 388 AD.
Martin of Tours, head of a monastery in Liguge, France in 361 AD.
There are many historians who would not count these as being "medieval".
The role of an abbot was to head an abbey, which was usually a large-size monastery with up to 150 monks. The Rule of St Benedict sets out the kind of man an abbot ought to be and states that he should act as father to the monks, who regarded each other as brothers.
The abbot was the decision maker, business manager, councillor and judge for his monastic community. Every day after Prime there was a meeting in the Chapter House where the abbot would allocate work tasks, hear grievances, punish offences and discuss business issues with all the monks; they were permitted to voice opinions and offer advice, but it was always the abbot who had final say in all matters connected with the monastery.
An abbot would often not only be in charge of a large monastic precinct, but also many outlying farms called granges and sometimes small "cells" where a few monks were sent at a time to meditate and pray in isolation from the main buildings.
He had to encourage, support and correct new novices, stamp out any dissent or incorrect behaviour, arbitrate between different factions, supervise the daily affairs of the abbey - and at the same time ensure the smooth running of the daily routine, consisting of study, work and prayer. Nothing must be permitted to interfere with this, since all three were considered sacred obligations.
Abbots were also frequently summoned to travel to "synods", which were major Church councils where important religious matters were discussed. It was not unusual for an English abbot to have to travel to Germany of France or Italy to attend these meetings.
Abbots were also in charge of all legal and financial aspects of their respective monasteries, including the payment of any taxes levied by the king.
a man who is the head of an abbey of monks
To run the abbby and over see the monks.
Bishops and abbots were ranked differently. Bishops were ranked higher and one could tell them apart because the abbots mitre was made from less expensive materials.
Isle Abbots's population is 216.
Duntisbourne Abbots's population is 227.
The population of Hemingford Abbots is 584.
The population of Abbots Leigh is 810.
Abbots Ripton's population is 309.
Abbots Langley's population is 10,472.
An abbots deputy is called a priori.
No. Monks live in Abbeys and Abbots are the head of the Abbey.
Abbots Bromley School for Girls was created in 1880.
As of the 2011 census, the population of Abbots Morton in the UK was recorded as 204. It is a small village located in Worcestershire.
Abbots Ripton railway station ended in 1958.