Did any monks or lay-brothers ever rebel
against their abbot?
Yes, there are even examples relating to the Yorkshire abbeys.
In the fourteenth century, a monk of Fountains Abbey was suspected
of attempting to poison his abbot, and the lay-brothers of
Meaux attacked and pursued their abbot and cellarer after they
were deprived of ale.
The abbot was the head of
the community and the most important member of the community. He
played a leading role in church services, presided over the daily
chapter meeting and upheld discipline within the precinct. The
abbot was also responsible for entertaining guests and dealing
with administrative matters relating to the monastery. He was expected
to attend the annual General Chapter at Cîteaux and had duties
relating to the Cistercian Order. He might also be called upon
to officiate on behalf of the Church and State.
