But inasmuch as
the architectural and other reforms among the Cistercians were many
and peculiar, it will again be advisable to pass by these
peculiarities without remark.
* * * * * * *
The constitution of every convent, great or small, was monarchical.
The head of the house was almost an absolute sovereign, and was
called the Abbot. His dominions often extended, even in England, over
a very wide tract of country, and sometimes over several minor
monasteries which were called Cells. Thus the Abbot of St. Alban's
had under himself the cell of Tynemouth in Northumberland and two
others in Norfolk-_viz._, Binham and Wymondham, the latter of
which eventually became an independent abbey--and the heads of these
cells or subject houses were called Priors. An _abbey_ was a
monastery which was independent. A priory was a monastery which in
theory or in fact was subject to an abbey. All the Cluniac
monasteries in England were thus said to be alien priories, because
they were mere cells of the great Abbey of Clugni in France, to which
each priory paid heavy tribute; while the priors were almost always
foreigners, and always appointed by the Abbot of Clugni, and
responsible to him much in the same way as a Pacha is to his suzerain
the Sultan. On the other hand, the Cistercian houses were all abbeys,
and their abbots sovereigns in alliance or confederation with one
another, and exercising over their several convents supreme
jurisdiction, though recognizing the Abbot of Citeaux as their over-
lord.
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