Prebendary facts for kids
A prebendary is a special kind of clergy member in some Christian churches, like the Catholic Church or the Church of England. Think of them as a type of canon, which is a priest who works closely with a cathedral or a large church called a collegiate church. Prebendaries help with the church's administration, meaning they assist in running things.
When prebendaries attend church services, they have their own special seats. These seats are usually found in the back of the choir area of the church. They are called prebendal stalls.
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What is a Prebendary?
A prebendary is a priest who has a specific role in a cathedral or a collegiate church. This role often involves helping with the church's daily operations and special events. It's a respected position, often given to priests who have served their church for a long time.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, around the year 1086 when the Domesday Book was made in England, priests called canons and other important church leaders got their support from the land owned by the cathedral. This meant they lived off the food and money produced by these church estates.
In the early 1100s, a new system was created called the prebend. This was like giving a church official a fixed income and resources. It made the cathedral canons more independent from the bishop. It also made these positions attractive to younger sons from noble families. Part of the money was kept in a shared fund, called communia in Latin. This fund helped provide extra food and money to canons who were living at the cathedral.
Changes Over Time
Most prebends disappeared in 1547 during a big change in England called the English Reformation. At this time, many collegiate churches in England and Wales were closed down by a special law. However, a few churches, like St Endellion in Cornwall, still have prebendaries today.
Today, in the Church of England, the title of prebendary is mostly an honorary title. This means it's a special honor given to senior parish priests. It's usually a way to say "thank you" for their long and dedicated service to their church area, called a diocese. These priests can use "Prebendary" (often shortened to "Preb.") before their name. They also have a role in helping to manage their cathedral.
The Greater Chapter
Cathedrals have a group of important clergy members called the "greater chapter." This group includes priests who work full-time at the cathedral (called residentiary canons) and the prebendaries. In the Church of England, when a bishop retires, moves, or passes away, the King or Queen asks the greater chapter to choose a new bishop. This election is mostly a ceremony, as the monarch usually tells them who to elect.
Some cathedrals, like Wells Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, still call their canons "prebendaries." These prebendaries form the main governing body of the cathedral and sit in their special prebendal stalls when they are at the cathedral.
What is a Prebend?
The prebend itself is the position or job that a prebendary holds. Historically, it also included the income or payment that came with the job. This money often came from specific parts of the cathedral's land or income.
Today, many prebends are honorary positions. This means they are given as a title of respect and do not usually come with an income.
