Prebendary

A prebendary is a post connected to a cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral. A prebend is a type of benefice, which usually consisted of the income from the cathedral estates.

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When attending cathedral services prebendaries sat in particular seats, usually at the back of the choir stalls. These are known as Prebendal stalls.

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Prebends and collegiate churches were dissolved by Henry VIII in 1547 as part of the Reformation by the Act for the Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries.

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However, the title Prebendary was still retained by certain dioceses (with the Dioceses of Lichfield and Lincoln being two examples) as an honorary title for senior parish priests. This is usually awarded as a recognition of long and dedicated service to the Diocese. These priests are entitled to call themselves Prebendary (usually shortened to Preb.) and still have a role in the administration of the cathedral.

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Collegiate church: A collegiate church is a church served and administered by a body of canons or prebendaries, similar to a cathedral, although they are not the seat of a bishop. They were often supported by (sometimes extensive) lands held by the church. In pre-Reformation England there were usually a number of coll...

Canon: Canon may mean:...

Benefice: Originally a benefice was a gift of land (precaria) for life as a reward (Latin beneficium, 'means to do well') for services rendered....