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. A cathedral is a Christian church building, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy (such as the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican churches), which serves as the central church of a bishopric. ... A collegiate church was a church served and administered by a body of canons or prebendaries, similar to a cathedral, although they were not the seat of a bishop. ... A canon is a member of the Christian clergy who was responsible for administering a cathedral or collegiate church. ... Originally a benefice was a gift of land for life as a reward (beneficium) for services. ...

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

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. Henry VIII King of England and Ireland by Hans Holbein the Younger His Grace King Henry VIII (28 June 1491–28 January 1547) was King of England and Lord of Ireland (later King of Ireland) from 22 April 1509 until his death. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ...

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 and prebendal stalls in the cathedral, where they sit for special services. In some Christian churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit governed by a bishop, sometimes also referred to as a bishopric or episcopal see, though more often the term episcopal see means the office held by the bishop. ...

External links

• Prebendary from the 1911 encyclopedia (http://3.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PR/PREBENDARY.htm)