abbacy
Abbacy refers to the office, rank, or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess. An abbot is the head of a monastery, and an abbess is the head of a convent. The term abbacy encompasses both the position of leadership and the territory or community that the abbot or abbess oversees. Historically, abbeys were significant religious and economic centers, and the abbots and abbesses held considerable power and influence within their regions.
The appointment of an abbot or abbess could vary. In some cases, they were elected by the
Over time, the nature and authority of the abbacy evolved. In some periods, abbots and abbesses were