Abbot of Tavistock


Abbot of Tavistock was the title of the abbot of Tavistock Abbey in Devon, England. The name of the first abbot is unknown, but the abbey was founded between 975 and 980. Unless otherwise specified the details in the following table are from Heads of Religious Houses: England & Wales 940–1216.
NameDatesNotes
unknownc.975First abbot
Ælfmær994–c1009Became bishop of Selsey
Lyfing of Winchesterc.1009–1027Became bishop of Worcester
Aldredc. 1027–c. 1043Became bishop of Worcester
Sihtricc. 1043–1082Became a pirate
Geoffreyc. 1082–c. 1088
Wimundbefore 1096–1102Deposed by the Synod of Westminster in 1102
Osbert?–before1131
Robert of Plymptonc. 1131–1145
?Rogerc. 1146
Robert Postelc. 1146–1154
Walter of Winchesterc. 1154–c. 1168
Godfreyc. 1168–c. 1173
Baldwin1174–1184
Herbert1186–1200
Andrew1200–1202
Jordanc. 1203–1219/1220
William of Kernit1220
John of Rofa1224
Alan of Cornwall1233Previously prior of Tresco
Robert of Kitecnol1248
Thomas1248
Henry of Northampton1257
Philip Trencheful1259
1259Appointment lapsed to Walter Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter.
Alured1260
John Chubbe1262–1269Deposed by Bishop Branscombe
Robert Colbern1270
Robert Campbell/Champeaux1285–1325 "Of the abbots in the later monastic period... probably... the greatest and wisest"
1325–1328Dispute between two candidates, Robert Busse and John Courtenay
Robert Bonus1328—1333 Bishop Grandisson said of him "That Abbot's name was Good, but he was a scoundrel, a near-heretic!"
John Courtenay1334Suspended by Bishop Grandisson for maladministration
Richard Esse1349
Stephen Langdon1362
Thomas Cullyng1380 or 1381The last of five abbots after Campbell who were all accused of waste, extravagance and neglecting their spiritual duties.
John Mey20 July 1402
Thomas MedeMarch 1422 – April 1442
Thomas Crispyn11 June 1442 – 5 April 1447
William Pewe2 May 1447 – 26 December 1450
John DynyngtonFebruary 1451 – December 1490
Richard YemeFebruary 1491 – c. March 1492
Richard Banham1492–1523
John Peryn1523–1539Last abbot