The prior

Were there any of the abbot’s jobs that the prior was not allowed to do?
Yes. There were several duties that could only be carried out by the abbot, such as expelling a monk and professing a novice.

The prior was the second in command and deputised for the abbot when necessary. He also had his own duties, for example, as the abbot generally dined with guests in the guesthouse, the prior presided over meals in the monks’ refectory. The prior also allocated the daily tasks and distributed tools that the monks required for their tasks.

The sub-prior at work
© Cistercians in Yorkshire
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The sub-prior

The sub-prior helped the prior to maintain discipline and organise monastic life. For example, he checked that no monk was snoozing in the choir or misbehaving in the cloister. If the prior was sick, busy or for some reason unable to fulfil his duties, the sub-prior acted as his deputy

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