Prebendary
Encyclopedia
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican
or Catholic
cathedral
or collegiate church
and is a type of canon
. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral. A prebend is a type of benefice
, which was usually drawn from specific sources in the income from the cathedral estates.
When attending cathedral services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the choir stalls. These are known as prebendal stalls.
independent of the bishop and created posts that attracted the younger sons of the nobility.
The positions of prebends and nearly all collegiate churches
in England were dissolved by Henry VIII
in 1547 as part of the English Reformation
by the Act for the Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries. St Endellion
, Cornwall, is one of those still in existence.
The title Prebendary was still retained by certain diocese
s, however; with the dioceses of Lichfield
, Lincoln
and London
being significant examples, as an honorary title for senior parish priests. This is usually awarded as a recognition of long and dedicated service to the diocese. These priests are entitled to call themselves Prebendary (usually shortened to Preb.) and still have a role in the administration of the cathedral.
The Greater Chapter
of a cathedral includes both the Residentiary Canons (the full-time senior cathedral clergy) and the prebendaries (and in London, the minor canons too). In the Church of England, when a diocesan bishop retires, moves to another diocese or dies, the monarch will summon the Greater Chapter to elect a successor. This election is ceremonial as the monarch (following the advice of the Prime Minister) also tells the members of the Greater Chapter whom to elect. If members of the Greater Chapter fail to attend, they are declared to be contemptuous.
Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, still calls its canons Prebendaries, as does Wells Cathedral
. They form the Chapter of the cathedral, and sit in their prebendal stalls when in residence in the cathedral.
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
or Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
or collegiate church
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
and is a type of canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral. A prebend is a type of benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
, which was usually drawn from specific sources in the income from the cathedral estates.
When attending cathedral services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the choir stalls. These are known as prebendal stalls.
History
The early twelfth century saw the development of the additional institution of the endowed prebend, by which each cathedral official was given a fixed, independent income, which made the cathedral canonsCanon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
independent of the bishop and created posts that attracted the younger sons of the nobility.
The positions of prebends and nearly all collegiate churches
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
in England were dissolved by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
in 1547 as part of the English Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
by the Act for the Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries. St Endellion
St Endellion
St Endellion is a civil parish and village in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village and parish church are situated four miles north of Wadebridge....
, Cornwall, is one of those still in existence.
The title Prebendary was still retained by certain diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s, however; with the dioceses of Lichfield
Diocese of Lichfield
The Diocese of Lichfield is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury, England. The bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Chad in the city of Lichfield. The diocese covers 4,516 km² The Diocese of Lichfield is a Church of England...
, Lincoln
Diocese of Lincoln
The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. The present diocese covers the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire.- History :...
and London
Diocese of London
The Anglican Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.Historically the diocese covered a large area north of the Thames and bordered the dioceses of Norwich and Lincoln to the north and west. The present diocese covers and 17 London boroughs, covering most of Greater...
being significant examples, as an honorary title for senior parish priests. This is usually awarded as a recognition of long and dedicated service to the diocese. These priests are entitled to call themselves Prebendary (usually shortened to Preb.) and still have a role in the administration of the cathedral.
The Greater Chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
of a cathedral includes both the Residentiary Canons (the full-time senior cathedral clergy) and the prebendaries (and in London, the minor canons too). In the Church of England, when a diocesan bishop retires, moves to another diocese or dies, the monarch will summon the Greater Chapter to elect a successor. This election is ceremonial as the monarch (following the advice of the Prime Minister) also tells the members of the Greater Chapter whom to elect. If members of the Greater Chapter fail to attend, they are declared to be contemptuous.
Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, still calls its canons Prebendaries, as does Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
. They form the Chapter of the cathedral, and sit in their prebendal stalls when in residence in the cathedral.
External links
- Prebendary from the 1911 encyclopedia
- Lists of prebendaries in England and Wales since 1066 in the Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae, part of British History Online. See series for 1066-1300, 1300-1541 and 1541-1857